<p>How prevalent is drinking in the freshman dorms? Do people get drunk every night or just on weekends? Is there a niche for non-drinkers or moderate/responsible ones for those of us who like to go out and have a good time like everyone else but don't expect to stumble into our rooms every night in a drunken stupor? How does one's drinking choices affect Greek life? Any advice from current/past students would be appreciated.</p>
<p>I don't think it is all that prevalent because I have spoken with current students that say there is not an incredible amount of alcohol.</p>
<p>bump......</p>
<p>If drinking and partying are not your thing, avoid Branscomb. However, Kissam is far from quiet (it's just a function of how rowdy the collection of people in your hall turn out to be). Futhermore, with singles, even if you do end up in a party hall, you still have a room to yourself to escape to.</p>
<p>bump.......</p>
<p>VandyMale, I usually try to avoid the threads that are clearly for students, but since you've bumped this twice, I'll tell you what I know from my daughter's experience. She was a freshman in Kissam last year who did not drink in high school, but did party (weekends only) at Vandy. So you know where I'm coming from as a mom, I'm not thrilled about her partying, but see it as her choice to make.</p>
<p>She and her friends place a high priority on doing well academically, so I would say they NEVER partied during the week (including Thursdays, since she had Friday classes), because they couldn't and still get all their work done. Vandy has a reputation for being a "play hard" school, but it's a play hard school for students who know how to work hard, too - the workload is killer, particularly in some majors. There were some weekends during the year that my d and her friends did not go out at all because of papers and exams.</p>
<p>She did know some guys who drank every night and never seemed to worry about school. She figures they were either geniuses who could write a 10-page paper in one afternoon or take a calculus exam without studying - or else guys who were just going to join the family business after graduation, anyway.</p>
<p>She would second feenotype about Branscomb - also about the fact that Kissam can be rowdy at times.</p>
<p>Drinking is technically not allowed in the freshman dorms since they are "dry". However, it DOES happen. You won't be expected or forced to drink excessively if you do not want to. There will be other people who don't want to drink everyday. Its not so much of a problem. I lived in Kissam Quad, so whenever things got too crazy for me I would just shut my door and lock it.</p>
<p>It seems an unwritten rule that drinking is fine, even in areas which are officially supposed to be dry. I daresay nobody will care if you do it, and rarely there's anyone to stop you. I drank on a few occasions during my freshman year, myself. Usually people drink during the weekends. If you're going to drink in the first place (not that I recommend breaking the law), I advise you at least show some common sense and don't become drunk or rowdy.</p>
<p>There's such a broad range of behavior freshamn year... especially at the beginning. There will definately be many, many students taking advantage of the fact that classes havent started the first week and stumble in beligerently drunk every night. There also will be an abundant amount of more responsible students who go out to the frats to socialize and drink but not overdo it. And of course there are those who will be very homesick and not want to leave their room.</p>
<p>Everyone is right about Branscomb being the rowdiest of dorms, when you put the majority of freshman in one place, and right next to frat row nonetheless, its going to be loud. Kissam and Vandy/Barnard are quieter but that also depends on your hall. I lived in a big party hall last year in kissam quad, but the other girls floor was quiet most of the time. </p>
<p>Just be careful and don't overdo it, sounds cliche but last years freshman got into enough trouble that Gee had to send a letter to all freshman parents urging them to tell their children to be responsible.</p>