<p>How prevalent is drinking at Dartmouth? Is the Greek scene unavoidable?
I don't drink out of personal preference and I'm not very fond of being surrounded by drunks.</p>
<p>Someone wrote on another topic: "[There is] alot of drinking. I know a freshman who will be transferring out because he couldn't handle the greek scene."
Is it really that bad? </p>
<p>I've stayed at Claremont McKenna on a weekend night and there was quite a bit of drinking going on; how does Dartmouth compare?
And does the isolation affect it since you can't really leave and go somewhere else?</p>
<p>What activities are there for non-drinkers on the weekends/at nights?</p>
<p>It’s true, a lot of people drink heavily, and a lot of people go out to Greek houses at night. Even if you don’t drink, though, you can still go out to frat parties - no one cares if you’re drinking or not, and the dance parties can be fun either way.</p>
<p>If you don’t want to be involved in Greek life at all, there are other things to do. Sadly, one of the best options, Lone Pine Tavern, the only place other than Greek houses and Foco that is open after like 10, is closing at the end of this term. But Greek events don’t usually start until 11ish anyway, so earlier in the evening there are always lots of things going on. After that, fewer options, but I spent much of my freshman year hanging out with my floormates. If you request substance free housing, it should help you find a group of like-minded people to spend time with.</p>
<p>Also, don’t knock the Greek system 'til you’ve experienced it. I had a VERY stereotypical view of sororities before I got to Dartmouth and NEVER thought I’d be a sorority girl. But by sophomore year, I’d gotten to know a bunch of girls I really liked, who were in sororities but not defined by that, and I decided to rush. It was probably the best decision I’ve made at Dartmouth - I love my house here, and the girls I’ve met through it are some of my best friends. We do plenty of activities that don’t involve drinking, and there are even a few sisters who don’t drink at all. It’s never a problem.</p>
<p>To each his own, I guess. I find it entertaining enough, and the milkshakes are delicious. Not for every night, certainly, but once in a while I like to just chill and play cranium. </p>
<p>I think it’s unfortunate that this option won’t be available anymore to a college that spends so much energy complaining about the lack of “alternative social spaces.” They’re there, but people don’t go, so they close.</p>
<p>However, confused13, Lone Pine has closed before and re-opened, so if students make it clear that that’s what they want, it might come back. I think they’d be much better off if they scrapped the alcohol license and just had shakes and food. No one goes to Lone Pine for the beer. Actually, they could even ditch the food as long as they kept the shakes.</p>
<p>From what I have gleaned from Dartmouth students and alum, anyone who has a hard time with the drinking of others will fit into the aprox 10% of Dartmouth students who are not happy there.</p>
<p>There are certainly other activities and many students choose not to drink. But I think they need to have the attitude that they will, on a regular basis, be surrounded by silly drinking students. If this will be a problem, IMO, they will be happier elsewhere.</p>
<p>I have an employee who hated Dartmouth (among an office full who adored it), a friend with an unhappy freshman and have read the posts of kids here who are unhappy there. It all seems to boil down to one thing for these folks–the Greek scene and interacting with drunk students on a regular basis.</p>
<p>Yet I know many who went to Dartmouth, never had a drink in 4 years, and loved it. They tell stories of the overboard party animals they watched in good humor. It’s all about attitude.</p>
<p>So just one person’s opinion, but if drunks bother you, there are a handful of schools that are Dartmouth peers that you would be happier at.</p>
<p>Well, I for one did not want to come to Dartmouth because of the Greek scene/drinking culture. I was VERY wary of it - I didn’t drink in high school, and I didn’t plan to drink here. I do drink now, but in moderation (and I am 21) - I am certainly not an Animal House style drunkard. </p>
<p>And I have LOVED every minute at Dartmouth.</p>
<p>So please don’t dismiss it out of hand just because it has a reputation for being a bit wild. Come check it out and see for yourself before you decide.</p>
<p>I think Dartmouth is a school you really need to visit to figure questions like this out. hmom5 is right that if you hate being surrounded by drunks, Dartmouth is probably not a good place for you. But at the same time, even if you hate beer, you can still have the time of your life here. It’s very individual-specific.</p>
<p>Lone Pine was pretty lame but I’m still a bit said it’s going. I think if it wasn’t in such an obscure location it might fare better.</p>
<p>If you hate being around drunken students, you are going to find yourself unhappy at MANY schools, according to what I hear. Possibly most schools, these days.</p>
<p>One thing that I see as a potential advantage at D is that I have the impression that most of the drinking goes on at the frat houses, not in the dorms, so that you can get away from it. Even better: opt for a substance free floor. You can go out to parties as much as you please, but be fairly certain that things will be quieter at home.</p>
<p>As a parent I have always been surprised when visiting Dartmouth on weekend mornings that there is very little evidence of alcohol in the dorms themselves. I remember when I was a college student the dorms wreaked of beer and there was always some damage on bulletin boards etc. I haven’t seen that at Dartmouth perhaps because the drinking occurs more at the frats.</p>