I know that CMC is not on the OP’s list, but there was a very good post that went up recently by a CMC junior addressing fears about the CMC “Party Scene.” I think it’s an excellent read for many settings especially LAC’s. Bottom line was that there are lots of non-drinking activities and also that plenty of people go to the parties just to have fun without getting wasted. http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/21776481/#Comment_21776481
@bigfandave , while I agree with your premise that at large U’s that less people are watching, but I find it offensive that you assume that kids at small LAC’s that abstain from partying are the ones who “know better” and are focused on their end game. My kiddo did some serious partying at her very top LAC, managed to get into med school. She was not an anomaly,her friends that were her cohorts in the partying have managed to go into lucrative fields and have successful lives.
@CottonTales why do you insist on continuing to brag about your daughter who was a partier and did well in school? Seems so odd. You did this earlier in the thread a few times too.
@Homerdog I make the point because there are posters who seem to think their non partying kids are somehow better than kids that do. Good for your kid but don’t poo poo on kids that aren’t like yours.
@CottonTales but you seem to be pretty proud that your underage daughter was partying up a storm. Not sure any parent is hoping for that.
Not proud, just realistic. I don’t have my head in the sand.
@homerdog I don’t think @CottonTales is bragging. There is nothing wrong with students partying and it doesn’t make them less than those that do not party. Each student needs to find a good fit and their own personal good balance. My D is a top student and parties some weekends and an occasional Wednesday. She loves music and dancing. Neither she nor I should be ashamed. I still on occasion go to dance clubs with my friends - married and single ones. You’re only young once. So long as a student is taking care of business and not being self-destructive, who cares.
@itsgettingreal17 I suppose. As I’ve mentioned a bunch of times now, I’m not a prude and I don’t know if S19 will drink in college but he hasn’t shown any interest so far and just trying to be realistic when looking at vibes of schools. Having a few drinks is one thing. Admitting that an underage student is a “partier” to me means the drinking is excessive and not safe. And he’s not interested in being around people who drink to oblivion.
@homerdog There will be students at every school who will drink to excess, some who drink moderately. Your point on this thread is find a school for your son based on his interests and fit, should not be on who is drinking and how much. Trust your son and the values you have raised him with, don’t spend time worrying with the underage drinking riff raff. 8-|
As your son’s search develops, he can look into REAL at Hamilton: https://www.hamilton.edu/campuslife/where-to-live/real. As a form of structured entrance into collegiate life, the program appears well-suited to an academically engaged student who also wants a full social experience among other first-years.
Students at LACs “know better” and are focused on their end game? Talk about painting with a broad brush. My daughter is at a large university and has no problem finding friends and activities that don’t involve partying… she’s not interested… and is very concerned with her “end game “ ( a little too concerned). Partying is available at all schools for those who want it…large and small. It’s absurd to think otherwise.
Find a school that is an academic fit, and find out how involved the students are in clubs etc. My friends son transferred from a small school ( 2000 students) because he couldn’t find anything to do that didn’t involve alcohol. He said most students were not involved in anything else ( his perception… ).
“Partier” does not mean drinking to excess or even drinking at all. That was the difference between the two schools I attended. At the small rural undergrad where I attended, partying equaled getting stupid, sloppy drunk and high while crappy music played in the background. At my urban grad school, partying equaled finding a good club playing good dance music or a good house party with good music, dancing, conversation, games, drinks and food where a good time could be had by all, drinkers and non-drinkers alike.
Well, I’m specifically talking about partying that involves getting sloppy drunk and not wanting a school where that’s the norm three nights a week. At a big school, you will have some of that but also a lot of kids who aren’t not like that. S19 looking at small schools where the culture may be more one dimensional hence the concern. Parties are a good thing. Drinking to get drunk three times a week is not. And yes I am judging. That’s called alcohol abuse.
I don’t think it’s been referenced before in this thread, but a couple years back the Chronicle of Higher Education ran a series of long-form articles beginning with one titled “[A River of Booze](A River of Booze)”. (I’m pretty sure it isn’t behind their paywall.
The entire series is quite worth reading for anyone interested in this topic.
MODERATOR’S NOTE:
Closing thread as it’s just become a circular debate.