Regarding the main question, I would say that if you ever decide in the future that an IRL circle of friends is valuable, anecdotally it’s much easier to make friends in college than after.
It’s easier to make friends when you are in a community. Whether that community is college or a community like the rationality community (in cities with a decent community) isn’t that different.
It’s easier to make friends when you are in a community. Whether that community is college or a community like the rationality community (in cities with a decent community) isn’t that different.