Thanks to Bethany for this installment in the series. Three things re "going outside" one's college: First: Tour guides, admissions officers, etc., at many colleges fall back on the promise that whatever their college doesn't offer can be found a bus ride/subway ride/short drive away at a neighboring institution. In my (East Coast) experience I have heard this regarding Penn (for Swarthmore/Haverford students), the "other four" of the five colleges (hi Sara!), cross-enrolling in tedious, vocational ("engineering") classes at MIT, etc. For some students, this arrangement works; good for them. But my advice for the majority is: don't do it! Stepping off campus for random adventures is of course part of the fun. But do you want to chain yourself to distant obligations, be they academic or social? I say, find a school that has what you want and give that school your undivided attention. You get a precious few years in college. Don't waste them commuting. Second: I haven't been up that way in a long time but I'm gonna guess the Wellesley connection means very little to Harvard/MIT males any more, those schools having made such strides in balancing their gender ratios. Oh man, I have stories about unsuccessful ventures at Wellesley but nevermind that. Third: "Harvard and MIT frat parties": ouch! Yes Harvard does have a tiny frat population but I assure decent people that the administration is doing its utmost to suffocate frats out of existence. On the other hand, fraternities seem to be central to the MIT experience. Draw your own conclusions.