<p>I'm a student and the University of Virginia. My RA described UVA as a "huge party school" during a meeting. This got me thinking; I have two questions.
1) Is the term "party school" a fair assessment of UVA?
2) What might be other examples of academically prestigious party schools?</p>
<p>2) Here in California, UC Santa Barbara has a reputation for being a party school. Others would include University of Miami, Tulane, etc. All of these are in the top 50, if that qualifies prestigous.</p>
<p>Well the term ‘party school’ is obviously being used loosely. I wouldn’t say any of those listed are schools where students attend only to party. </p>
<p>UVa et al, were mentioned as party schools because they have a prominent social component to the undergraduate experience. Generally schools with good sports programs and Greek organization are more readily referred to as ‘party schools’. For instance, Penn has a Greek system and is referred to as a social ivy. Dartmouth is also known for partying… though these reputations don’t detract from the academic quality of the institutions.</p>
<p>You are a student at UVA? What’s YOUR assessment?</p>
<p>I think the most social schools in the top ten are Dartmouth, Duke, and Penn. In the top 20 Northwestern, Cornell, Vanderbilt, and UVA. In the top 30 UNC, UCLA, USC, and Michigan. Wisconsin probably, but its less academically prestigious than the above.</p>
<p>I’m a first-year; therefor, I have only been here for about one week. I’ve briefly walked through a few parties by 14th street, but my depth or breadth of knowledge on the subject is minimal. I’m such a nerd that most of my high-school friends are shocked that I’m not in the E-school.<br>
Any assessment that I give right now would be poor, but my initial impression is that UVA students know their limits.</p>
<p>My S is also a first yr. nerd at UVa :). I think all colleges have some partying, but it’s to what extent? UVa isn’t as extreme as U West VA or Ohio U, but they do party. My S has already realized that his suitemates (Dillard/Gooch) aren’t a good match for him, but the next door suite has more non-partying guys, so he’s hanging out next door this weekend. Just find some friends that are more like you. They are there, you just have to search them out. I have a nephew at Ohio U. that doesn’t party which is much harder to find than at UVa, loL!</p>
<p>UNorth Carolina, UCLA, Penn State are all peers of Virginia regarding combo of good academics for a large state research school and big Greek party scene.</p>