<p>My DD is looking exclusively at art schools or colleges with specific art offerings, and for that reason Syracuse is on her list. Her teachers are very high on the school, and everyone I know who has gone there has enjoyed it. But my DD is not into the whole jock/party scene, which is prevalent at her high school and makes her eager for graduation. We visited Syracuse once, and the Carrier Dome was a turnoff for her--even though the art students she met reassured her that game days are great times to hit the studio to get some work done. I personally think that on a campus of 11,000, you can find your niche. Can a non-partyer really do well there? I like the idea that she will meet kids with lots of interests and have the opportunity to take courses that aren't just about art. But I think she'll be miserable at a kegger.</p>
<p>She can find her own people anywhere. I don’t know of one school out there without a party faction and they get all the headlines while the people who just enjoy hanging out don’t make headlines.</p>
<p>Honestly, she may as much trouble finding non-partiers among artsy friends as jocks. One of D’s good friends is part of hipster, artsy crowd and there is more recreational drug use and drinking there than among some of other friend groups. D’s school is large with lots of football/greek atmosphere. She has great group of friends who don’t do the big mass party thing. They do drink some now that all turning 21 but don’t live to get drunk. </p>
<p>Yes, actually, I had that same thought! My D spent this past summer at a precollege program at Pratt and there was a good amount of drug use. The other thing I’ve noticed is that art kids tend to smoke cigarettes, which is just as bad because it’s not limited to party nights.</p>
<p>Go for the program, not the majority’s behavior. Large enough school for many different types. Relative went there for serious music performance. Not into the party/jock scene either. How can one know if an underage student will always be a “teetotaler”? There is a vast difference between some drinking legally and getting drunk a la college student stereotype.</p>
<p>If she felt she got along with the art students and would be happy with that as her social circle she should be fine. I would also look to see if the school has some kind of a wellness freshman dorm to start off in (my son did that at another school, and although it was not 100% alcohol/drug free, there were many more non-partners than there would be in a typical dorm so it helped him a lot).</p>