[jorl17]

While that certainly plays a part, I think it's also the fact that in several colleges you work as a group in the face of adversity. At least it was in my case.

We formed a group of very close friends who all worked together "against the system" to get the best grades possible while somehow staying sane[1]. Long days and nights working together, or just shooting the shit _at college_ because we were bound to stay there working.

I'm 100% sure that in my personal case, I would not share the bond I do with my friends (even if they were other friends) if I had not met them under these circumstances.

[1] I have been extremely lucky to have belonged to a group of "top of the class students" who worked together, shared notes, assignments and helped each other, instead of competing and throwing each other under the bus -- I know of other people who did not have the same luck.