In fact, I think what I love about the school is that in spite of its top-ranking schools of business, computer science and engineering; its excellence in the sciences, drama, music, art, cognitive science, psychology, philosophy and many other fields; and the fact that it practically created the field of robotics, Carnegie Mellon is able to sit back and enjoy the lighter side. This attitude is reflected in humorous newspapers such as the readme, as well as in daily student life: Most CMU students can laugh at themselves--and we can ALL laugh at the computer science majors.

Although females are still a minority here, there is a good level of political diversity and a large gay population. Activities range from political activism to performance groups to "just-for-fun" clubs, and students can be as active or isolated as they choose. Be prepared to rejoice or groan over "celebrations" of geekiness, such as Pi Day (3/14, get it?) where people put up posters and write out pi to hundreds of digits in chalk on the walkways. And watch out for the Fence, which is traditionally "captured" and painted on during the night to advertise, protest or just to have fun. It has a place in the Guiness Book of World Records as the most painted-upon object.