Toured Dartmouth and really loved the school, just have questions regarding the level of partying at the school. Do the fraternities at Dartmouth have distinct cultures or are they all more of the hard partying and crazy hazing rituals ‘Animal House’ type of frats? If you are they type of kid that had an active social life in high school but doesn’t want the intense drinking, partying several nights a week in college, is it possible to find a more laid back sort of social life within greek life?
Or is it possible to have a fun and have plenty of social options without joining a frat? Will joining DOC provide enough opportunities for socializing?
The answer to all four of your questions is … yes.
The answer to the first one is also … the Animal House was never a real Dartmouth frat and the frat on which it was purportedly based is no longer recognized by the college. They are engaged in a legal battle over the physical property, but Alpha Delt is gone.
The answer to the second one is also … the partying is about three nights a week. If you’re playing on a team, you do not party the night before, which also cuts down on the intake.
The answer to the third one is also … you do not have to join a frat to go to the parties (or the sororities’ parties).
The answer to the fourth one is also … oh, heck yes. Did you see how cool their clubhouse is?
DOC is a wonderful social outlet at Dartmouth! Like most colleges, you will find what you seek. If you want to waste your precious school years drinking beer, you can do that at almost any institution. Dartmouth is filled with highly intelligent, high functioning people. Many like to study hard and are extremely curious about the world. These same people also find the time to have some fun. The college is working hard to provide some new social options. Admittedly, they could have recognized the need sooner. About 4-5 years ago, the admin really kicked into gear to create some inspired social programming and also did some outreach/education to greek system to help tone it down. They have also reconfigured the housing with an aim toward creating social spheres outside of the greek system. The greek system is strong and, from what I’ve seen as a recent parent, quite wholesome in many respects. Still those ‘frat stars’ remain and beer pong is a definite ‘thing,’ but it does not need to dominate anymore.
