<p>I keep hearing that Colgate has too much partying and is too heavy on the Greek scene to be what I'm looking for in a school. I just doubt what I'm hearing. I had a very good impression of the school, in that it was academically rigorous and not too party heavy, from when I talked to an admissions officer. A college counselor I talked to recommended against it for me, not on academic grounds, but because of the social scene.</p>
<p>Anyone have any insight on the social scene there (especially as to how it compares with similarly highly ranked LACs)?</p>
<p>Well, lets just say that the Princeton Band went to a party hosted by the Colgate Pep Band the night before a football game, and they outdrank us, all 40 of us, 2 to 1 (2 cans for them for every one of ours). It didn't help that we beat them 2-1 in Beirut either. </p>
<p>You have to understand that the farther north you go, and the farther into the country you go, the less there is to do off-campus. As a result, many students gladly take to merriment. If you're turned off that Colgate has a somewhat heavy party/drinking scene, I would steer clear of Dartmouth and Amherst. </p>
<p>A social scene isn't always pervasive, but it does affect the campus social balance. Often times it can affect what you do, because it affects what your friends do, the attendance of other events and so on. The only way to know for sure is to talk to the students on a visit, because only they know the social environment. It may not be as bad as purported, or it could be worse, depending upon your personal preferences.</p>
<p>Kids at Williams can always find something to do that doesn't involve drinking. My S is a frosh there having a wonderful time and hasn't touched one drop. (His sister thinks he's weird.) I suspect the same is true at any school.</p>
<p>Actually my D drank more at Barnard, but only cocktails, haha. They couldn't afford many. Haha.</p>
You have to understand that the farther north you go, and the farther into the country you go, the less there is to do off-campus. As a result, many students gladly take to merriment. If you're turned off that Colgate has a somewhat heavy party/drinking scene, I would steer clear of Dartmouth and Amherst.
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<p>This is a silly, inaccurate generalization. I suppose schools like Columbia and NYU are alcohol-free and devoid of indulgent forms of "merriment." Not the case. At schools like these you'll find a whole lot more drug use in comparison to schools like the ones you mentioned. At every school there are partiers. This is college, and substance use/abuse has little to do with location.</p>
<p>I would have to disagree with you nai. The weather definitely has an impact on kind of "indoor activities" that take place. I'm not saying that other colleges are devoid of that, because they definitely are not, I know that first hand. What I am saying that there are more alternatives to a heavy partying social scene in areas with a warmer climate, and areas that are closer to major cultural centers. The more options that students feel are available, the less likely the social environment will gravitate around parties.</p>
<p>kknight - I have been to Berkeley, only visited, but was turned off by what seemed to be over the top drug use and an unclean campus. Amazing school I know, but not for me.</p>
<p>NewEng, Colgate does have a reputation for heavy drinking. I don't have a recent personal connection there, but my guess is that the reputation is a hold-over from past history and that the current environment is more balanced. Fraternities are definitely a key part of the social scene. Again, I'm guessing, but I would think that prevalence of the Greek system is something that you would need to look into, more than drinking per se.</p>
<p>There are several Colgate students and parents of students who post on this board who impress me as being academically serious. If they don't surface in this thread you might try again on Colgate board or pm them directly.</p>
<p>My son is a recent graduate of Williams. Although there is no doubt that some Williams kids drink more than is good for them, alcohol and partying do NOT define the social atmosphere. There is plenty to do on campus and light and non-drinkers seem to integrate in a positive sense.</p>
<p>I would take strong exception to the myth that rural campuses foster more drinking or substance abuse than urban or suburban campuses. Consider the drinking at Penn, pot smoking at Wesleyan. Same goes for climate. Consider the party scene at Washington and Lee.</p>
<p>You'll find abuse at just about any school, maybe less at some and more at others, but if Colgate (or Williams or Dartmouth or Amherst) appeal to you socially or academically you would be shortchanging yourself if you were to eliminate them because of a fear of too much drinking.</p>