> For a lot of people the social life is a big part of it I think a little discussed reason college is such a big deal in America is because most communities a

> For a lot of people the social life is a big part of it I think a little discussed reason college is such a big deal in America is because most communities are so socially and architecturally dysfunctional. Many colleges provide what a proper town/city is supposed to: public spaces and facilities, walkability, organizations with civic and social functions, etc. It's only because people graduate and go live in alienating suburban asteroid belts or in soulless political-machine big cities that they idealize college so much. College isn't so great, it's just adult life in most of America sucks. But it's not like that every where. p.s. The oft repeated "college rounds people out" line desperately needs data. I think it's a load of bullshit.