<p>I'm interested in applying for Dartmouth this next school year, but like many people that have been posting here I've been a little worried about the social scene with the frats and drinking and everything (although I am willing to be open-minded). However, I am very much an outdoors-y sort of person and think I could definitely fit in to the DOC. I was wondering, if I joined the Outdoors Club would I be able to participate in something SEPARATE from the greek scene? Do the people in the DOC generally associate with hardcore partiers and drinkers? From what I've been reading, it sounds like the greek system and the outdoors club are two separate entities that generally have different kids involved in them. Again, I want to keep an open mind and I don't want to judge anyone who is a part of that environment. From what I've heard, it sounds like I could end up with a variety of friends who are both greek and non-greek. I'm just wondering if the outdoors club would provide an alternative social life or whether the frat/drinking scene ends up dominating everything.</p>
<p>I seriously doubt that you are going to get any responses significantly different from those that have been posted in similar threads over the past however many years you want to look back. But, I will try to summarize. Yes, you can have a social life separate from the Greek system. You can partake in the Greek system as much or as little as you like. Some DOC (and members of other non-Greek groups) undoubtedly abhor the Greek system; others participate in both. Think of Dartmouth as a series of Venn diagrams. There are overlaps and relationships all over the place. You can choose the segment(s) you want to be part of.</p>