What is Dartmouth like for someone who is into theater and not really a frat/pong drinker type. What does the social life look like for that kind of person? Skis well but not super athletic otherwise.
I’m a freshman right now. I’m personally not involved in the arts scene, but it is very alive on campus. They hold frequent events at our student center and the different groups, from what. I hear, get very close. That does fit in with our general community vibe.
As for social life, there are plenty of avenues besides greek life. While we have a high percentage of involvement, for most it’s really a casual commitment. It depends on their interests. We have many extracurricular opportunities to take advantage of, many of which create a social foundation. There is also an emphasis on floor communities. The Living Learning Communities, which they can apply for, also allow you to live with people with similar interests and do certain activities together.
While I go out a bit, I spend much of my weekends playing board games and chilling with friends, often having political discussions. I’m not joking, it’s just the circles I move around in. Really, Dartmouth is such a diverse community, with a little effort, I think most people can find their place in it. Any other concerns?
Are there more eclectic frats or are they pretty much all what you imagine? Is it harder for guys not to be part of the frat scene?
what are your other college choices? DArtmouth has a certain stereotype for sure and there just might be a kernel of truth to it…
1 Like
Brown and Pomona.
@giantoctopus yes there are! Most of them have moved past the traditional rich white kid party hard atmosphere of the 80s. The worst frats have actually closed down or been forced to clean up.
Furthermore, almost all the frat parties and events are open to all students, unlike at most other schools where you need to someone in the frat to get in. That makes events, and the frat atmosphere much more inclusive.
Also, there’s a lot of different fraternities out there. There’s one that does frequent milk and cookie nights, sundae nights and play board games more often than full on party. Actually, a lot of theater kids I know are in that one in particular. There are also those which are more social justice oriented. There are a few =(you can dm me for specifics) that stick to the. more traditional stereotype. but they are the minority. There are many others to choose to go to.
And no, anyone can be unaffiliated no problem. I don’t plan to rush, and I’m not worried at all. I know that I will have full access to parties if I want to, but I have plenty of other avenues to socialize through student groups and the like. We also have “Collis after Dark” events at Collis, one of our student centers that holds trivia nights, glow in the dark golf, bounce house parties, and a host of other weird and wacky things to do on weekend nights.
Also, just to be clear, while a high proportion of Dartmouth students rush, for most people this is a casual commitment. You can make of it what you want. Most students live on campus all four years regardless of affiliation, for example. If someone is affiliated, it is usually just one part of their life, not a dominant thing. The average student here is involved in so much more than that.
1 Like
I find it hard to believe that you wouldn’t be happier at brown given your interests. Not sure about Pomona but probably there too.
@joecollege44 I assure you, Dartmouth’s arts scene is thriving. Theater groups frequently perform at well-attended events, and the way student groups work here ensure they become very close. Also, we are associated with a large local theater house (along with others, but this is the main one). I forget the name but students involved in our theater program often get the opportunity to intern and work on real productions there, with experienced troupes. That not only gets you professional experience, but also allows to form close relations with those in the field. The small town vibe builds that kind of life for you.
OP, I promise you theater will be great for you Dartmouth. The people involved in that love it, and even as freshman are close friends with those from all years involved in productions they are associated with. They have socials, hang-outs, and dinners. I honestly haven’t heard of this kind of fast, and such close bonding within student groups at other schools.
Dartmouth is 60% greek. I know there is greek, and there is greek, and it’s not Animal House over there. But why choose it when he has Brown as an option?
@joecollege44 because as I have established already, the greek life is just one part of many that comprise the Dartmouth experience. The unaffiliated don’t suffer from lack of participation, they can go to parties and have just as much as social life as the affiliated… Greek life is, for the most part, a small part of what students do on campus.
The opportunities here are endless, anyone can take full advantage of the Dartmouth experience in a number of ways, and they do not have to be affiliated. I don’t plan to rush., for example, but I know I will be fine. There are numerous other avenues to take part in.
And the frats are so diverse that just being under the name “frat” or part of “greek life” doesn’t mean the stereotype. There are a few, a minority, of those and then there are those interested in social justice, or board games, or just community. The OP himself asked about eclectic frats, so I assume that its the stereotype he’s worried about.
And events are all-inclusive, unlike at most other places. This makes greek spaces much more diverse since unaffiliated people can take part in them without needing to rush. They don’t have to, but they can. And even if they don’t, its not like the frats keep their people to themselves. Like I said, most are casually committed and engage in far more social avenues than just that, so you are not restricting yourself socially by being unaffiliated.
I fail to see why just because we have more “greek life” that automatically disqualifies us as an option. It’s not that Brown students don’t party just as much as us. I have friends there – they just do it in Providence more than on campus.
For my part, I like the campus lifestyle, it really engenders a community atmosphere.
The OP seems more concerned about the traditional greek life system than just the name. They posted this here, on the Dartmouth forum, so there is likely some kind of draw to the college. I’m merely trying to deal with the OP’s concerns. All we know is that he is worried about typical frats and the arts scene, both of which I have addressed. I don’t see any info that means he is not a fit for Dartmouth.