Can an Introvert go to Dartmouth?

I’m just finishing my college decision process (my decision is due in four days ahhhh) and I’ve been accepted into Dartmouth as well as a few other places. I have a lot of family ties to Dartmouth (ie. my father is a professor) and it’s definitely the most prestigious/ academically rigorous school I’ve been accepted to, so it’s definitely at the top of my list. But I consider myself quite introverted and don’t like to be around many people for too long, not having free time, etc. so I’m wondering if it’s really the right school for me. I worry that at the other schools (Skidmore and Brandeis) I won’t have the same resources or opportunity both as an undergrad and after I graduate, but I’m veryyyy wary of the Greek life on campus and the prevalence of drinking, being someone whose perfect night is by myself or with one close friend watching movies, not standing awkwardly in a frat basement drinking beer that I really don’t want to drink. Basically, I love everything about Dartmouth but I’m worried that I won’t find people who will accept my personality (as it doesn’t seem to be the norm) and whether I will find friends who also don’t really want to go to frats.

Why would Dartmouth be any different for a introvert than other places? All colleges have introverts and extraverts, those who party and those who prefer quieter company of friends. I’m sure most at Dartmouth are focused on studies, regardless of their preferences for Friday night.

Hi LunaMoon2 - I’m a bit confused as well - if you just want to stay in your room and watch a movie, a Dartmouth dorm room is just as good as any other place. But it sounds like what you are really asking is…as a person who enjoys time to herself, has no interest in drinking and is wary of the fraternity scene, will I be able to make friends (find a niche) at Dartmouth?

If that is the case, then IMHO, the answer is…it depends. Dartmouth is a social place, and I do not mean just drinking and partying. Sure, there will be lots of people who want to go to parties, but there will also be plenty of people who want to go hiking or skiing or participate in intramural sports or go to concerts at the Hop or movies at the Nugget and so on. There are also people like you who enjoy quiet nights in their room watching a movie or reading a book. The problem that introverts face at Dartmouth (or any other college for that matter) is that in order to find other non-drinking, slightly introverted people, you have to actually leave your room and find them - they are not going to come find you because they are probably spending most of their time in their rooms too!! So, the question you have to ask yourself is…are you willing to put in the effort to find and make friends? If not, then you may have a hard time not just at Dartmouth, but anywhere. If yes, then you may enjoy Dartmouth as much as I did.

As for drinking, don’t forget that each house community has a substance-free housing option. I would think that will make finding non-drinkers pretty easy.

Lastly, if you do choose to attend Dartmouth, you may want to consider using Facebook to jumpstart your search for people who are like you in the incoming class. That’s what my son has done in the accepted student group at another university - I think he introduced himself and wrote something like, “Hey does anybody else like doing yatta yatta…” I suppose you have a couple of days - maybe it’s worth a shot to do it now to see what kind of response you get. Perhaps that can give you some clarity or at least some reassurances.

Hope this helps a little. Best of luck.