What are some of the most stressful colleges in the US?

I'm currently a junior in HS trying to weigh out my options. Does anyone have a list or know of some Universities or Colleges that are notoriously known for their stressful environments? I want to challenge myself, but also want to avoid overwhelming stress.

It's good you're taking into account the academic and social stress at different schools while looking at your options. Each college has its unique challenges, but some are notoriously known for their high-stress environments. Here are some of the schools that often come up in discussions about academic stress:

1. Ivy League Colleagues - These schools are famous for their prestige and high academic rigor. It's not uncommon to hear students talk about feeling stress due to their workload, academic competition, and high expectations. Particularly, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, and Columbia University are often mentioned for their increased academic and social stress levels.

2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Known for challenging and intense STEM programs, the workload for MIT students can be very heavy.

3. University of Chicago - The academic intensity, coupled with its quarter system, which is a faster-paced system than the semester system, contributes to a reputation for high stress.

4. California Institute of Technology (Caltech) - Similar to MIT, this school is known for its rigorous courses, particularly in STEM fields. It's a small and intense environment.

5. Johns Hopkins University - Known for its pre-med track, and students face a lot of academic stress, specifically those in the medical-related fields.

However, stress levels can also depend heavily on the specific program of study and the individual's coping mechanisms, so these descriptions may not represent every student's experience. While a rigorous academic environment can be challenging, many schools offer resources to help students manage stress, like free tutoring, mental health services, and academic advisors. It's crucial to keep a balanced perspective on stress—it can lead to growth and resilience, but too much stress can be detrimental to mental and physical health. Therefore, consider what other aspects of college life are important to you (like extracurricular activities, campus culture, size of the school) when making your decision.