<p>I read in another post that kids chose Dartmouth because they have the Animal House mentality. Yet reading the stats of those accepted - honestly - they seem too bright to engage in such stupid, immature behavior.
Substance abuse is an epidemic in the US. IT would be nice if if wasn't on an idyllic college campus filled w/ bright kids who really can have a positive inpact on the world.</p>
<p>Any others feel the only negative to Dartmouth - and it is a huge negative - is the drinking rep?</p>
<p>I'm not saying its not bad on every college thru-out the US - because it is. But why? Isn't it time to change?</p>
<p>I was just accepted to dartmouth and the only thing i worry about is that huge drinking mentality. im glad im not the only one who feels this way.</p>
<p>Chances are high I will be attending Dartmouth - because everything else about the school impressed me- but I would feel alot better about it if more kids felt the same way.</p>
<p>dont worry about it guys. From my experiences there, everybody is completely respectful about those who were non-drinkers. Nobody cares if you dont drink, they'll even let you play pong with cups of water!</p>
<p>Legitimate concerns. Search other threads for discussion on this. You will find some cc'ers actually embrace the stereotype - or at least profess to (many of whom are not yet students). But there are as many or more comments from current students who love the school who don't live to drink (or even drink at all), who may attend Greek parties and enjoy them, but who find many many other things to do as well- all the time. And who want to and do find many opportunities to have a positive impact on the world. </p>
<p>If you otherwise love Dartmouth, especially if you have visited the campus and have a feel for the student body, its probably for legitimate reasons. Consider that it is already much much more than "animal house", and, take your energy and help to effect further changes in that mentality! : )</p>
<p>my daughter is an 09. she and her friends are not heavily into the drinking culture, although they may occasionally visit a frat party to socialize. she is very happy at dartmouth and has no regrets about deciding to attend that wonderful school in hanover.</p>
<p>I've heard the same thing Pamplemoose said, that you can even play pong with water. I don't think students at Dartmouth drink any more than students at most colleges, and there is perhaps even less partying. Part of that may be because at Dartmouth all of the drinking goes on at the campus. There is nowhere off campus that underage students go to drink. In contrast to the many schools where drinking goes on both on and off the campus. I think the rep is also in part because Animal House was based on a Dartmouth frat, and because these are really smart kids who do very well in school who are partying. But everything I have heard leads me to believe that it is a very personal choice and nobody cares whether you drink or not.</p>
<p>What makes Dartmouth great is the way the students are able to have fun AND be smart. The fact that they can get together and drink, why stop them? THEY ARE STUCK IN HANOVER!!!!!!! Why don't you get off your pretentious saddle, and appreciate other intellectuals who also enjoy life.</p>
<p>My husband went to D, and my son will go this Fall. I know about 20 other people who are there now. You can drink as much as you want there. You can also drink as little as you want there. In my experience, Dartmouth people are truly smart, independent thinkers, and they're not going to drink just to go along with the crowd. </p>
<p>YOU guys have the opportunity to change the so-called culture there! And I don't believe it's the culture; I think it's just hearsay and rumor and reputation.</p>
<p>My brother went to an u-grad school w/ heavy drinking. Now he's a doc on the same campus and sees freshman coming in w/ alcohol poisoining. It seems to be an issue at that school for freshman - in his opinion - they drink because they are depressed and want to "fit in." Looking at the extraordinary number of bright kids attending Dartmouth - it seems like everyone could come up w/ a better way to unwind. Substance abuse is an issue in this country - and alot of issues start at the college level. Nothing funny or smar about it.</p>
<p>From my experience, Dartmouth students don't drink any more than students at other schools. College students at every school go out on the weekends and drink at fraternities or bars. </p>
<p>The people on my floor go out about once every weekend, but there are many weekends where we don't go to the frats and do other stuff instead. </p>
<p>Dartmouth's drinking reputation is really exaggerated. Most people only drink until they're tipsy.</p>
<p>That is great to hear - because Dartmouth is the school I'd like to attend. Everything esle about Dartmouth blew away the other schools I visited- and it was my only concern - but a big one - based on my brother's freshman year experience at one of the "top party" schools in the country. On weekends - dorms were inhabitable because of the overflowing toilets, barf and worse in elevators, stairwells etc., and fights breaking out.</p>
<p>If thats what you're worried about, Dartmouth isnt aat all like that...i dont think Ive ever heard of anything like that happening, or anything close to that. The net of the party scene seems to be that its there for the people who want it, but its not the only outlet for people that would prefer other alternatives. I have yet to meet anyone who is uncomfortable with the social situation at Dartmouth...and I know plently of non-drinkers, al of which still have great times.</p>
<p>I think it's important in a conversation like this not to lose sight of the several ADVANTAGES of a drinking culture like Dartmouth's. Spending four years in the woods and coming out a truly hard guy isn't the least of them.</p>