<p>What’s the party scene like at Bowdoin? I read in some book somewhere: “If you don’t like alcohol, don’t bother coming.” I’m sure it’s not that extreme, but how big is booze and partying on campus nevertheless? I’m not big into that, and having drunk people wandering everywhere like zombies isn’t one of my college fantasies.</p>
<p>Insider viewpoints?</p>
<p>Drunk people really only wander around late on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. That being said, of course alcohol is a big part of the social scene--not only is it college, but its a northeastern, rural college. If you do not choose chem free housing, chances are that most (if not all) of your floor will go out on weekends without you. There is a chem free option though, and I know that the kids that do that are happy doing it and don't drink. And, it's a saturday night right now and I'm not out--I just finished watching a couple movies with friends and then I'm going to bed--too much work this weekend to go out. So yeah, of course alcohol exists, but plenty of people don't drink.</p>
<p>Do you have dance parties?</p>
<p>Yeah, actually, the campus-wide social house parties are pretty much dance parties. One of my friends really loves to dance and she really likes these parties--she actually doesn't drink at some of them, so yes, you don't have to drink to have fun at these parties if that's your thing. She and my roommate actually went out last night to this huge rugby party that was more of an outside, sitting around drinking/playing beerpong kind of party and she said it really wasn't her scene--she prefers to go out and dance and see people and have fun. So yes, in short, there are definitely parties were you just sit around drinking, but the big campus-wides at the social houses always have lots of people on the dance floor. And, just to give some perspective to everything I've said, I'm not a huge party person, but I really like going to the social house parties sometimes--they're actually a lot of fun, getting out and seeing everyone and dancing (sometimes) and just going out with friends. I drink, but I really don't drink every weekend and my weekends are still fun. I also don't drink enough to black out/pass out/puke, so really, don't be worried that you have to binge drink to fit in or have fun here. You can, of course, and people do, but it really isn't the norm and there is a huge range in terms of alcohol use. I know that Bowdoin has a work hard/play hard reputation, but I think that that relates to a lot of aspects of the school, not just alcohol. It's hard to describe, really, if you haven't been here, but I find the social scene to be pretty comfortable--I can have a social life with or without alcohol, depending on what I feel like doing that week. I really can't stress enough, though, that if you know you don't want to drink, choose chem free housing! You'll be around like-minded people that will want to hang out and do things together without alcohol. Sorry this was so long, but I hope I gave you an idea of how alcohol/party stuff works around here--I wouldn't want anyone to be scared away from Bowdoin just because they think everyone's an alcoholic. If you have any more questions about anything, ask!</p>
<p>I am a first-year here too, and approximately 1/3 of my floor (non-chem free) doesn't drink or doesn't drink much. One of my roommates doesn't drink at all, the other gets wasted near nightly, but they both enjoy it here. There is definitely lots of stuff to do here for those who don't drink.</p>
<p>i'm attempting to transfer to bowdoin next year, and i was just wondering what the social houses are like? are they like frats, and if so, when do you join them?</p>
<p>Everyone is placed in a social house based on freshman dorm (or I guess randomly for transfers?)</p>
<p>They're kindof like frats - most of their parties are campus wide. Most people who actually live in the houses live there in their sophomore years, some juniors. No freshman, and only the rare senior.</p>