Hi all,
I am an international student from the UK and I have applied to US colleges for Fall 2017 admission.
I was wondering what the drinking scene is in US colleges. In the UK, individuals aged 18 and over can purchase and consume alcohol, but I understand that the age for this right is 21 in the US. Do most students acquire alcohol illegally, or is drinking rare in US colleges?
Thank you!
Drinking is common if not rampant at US colleges. And if under 21 it is illegally obtained.
Drinking is so rampant it can be a problem. It doesn’t occur in pubs and bars but in dorms or (especially) older student apartments/fraternity houses. This can lead to dangerous situations (consumption leading to hospital visit, sexual assaults).
Many colleges offer the option of ‘substance free dorms’, where students promise to abstain from alcohol or drugs while in the dorm. They can party elsewhere but not in the dorm. As a result, these tend to be nicer and quieter. There are also quiet floors in some dorms (no noise at night = no parties). Honors dorms also tend to be more study - focused.
Pretty much every college has a drinking scene, it just depends how present it is. Many college students will get fake IDs to get into local bars, and frats throw a lot of parties.