thanks for this very frank reply! i just went to University of Delaware. very nice faculties, facilities, and grad students. i was impressed- my expectations were kinda low. from the grad students i thought it was TOO LAID BACK. kinda put me off. there is nothing wrong with a little bit of friendly competition. i don't mean not helping each other out or sabotage. but working really hard to publish and do well on cums. idk that is my outlook. also, i expect the self-absorbedness from UM and the school i am visiting tomorrow (UNC).
but anyway thanks! what other schools are you visiting or have visited?