<p>I have no personal experience with Dartmouth, but I've read research articles about Dartmouth's scene.</p>
<p>From what I remember of one article in particular, you need to take account the typical person attending Dartmouth. Yes they are going to be smarter in an academic sense, and individuals in the greek system are still "nerds" but - probably to your dismay - the Greek system there is about partying to some extent. Now is it as extensive as some chapters at UT? Probably not even close.</p>
<p>However, you must realize that alcohol is ubiquitous on college campuses - it's just a part of college life. That doesn't mean you have to drink, but that there will always be people who do. The data shows that Greeks (everywhere) are more likely to binge drink, drink more often, etc. compared to their non-greek peers. While I have issues with some of the alcohol studies (they don't take certain factors in to consideration that I find important), that is the data. </p>
<p>Further realize that Greek systems vary from campus to campus. You can't generalize accurately from school to school...it's difficult to do even with campuses that are very much a like, but impossible when the campuses are very, very different.</p>
<p>Finally, just b/c Greeks like to have a good time and have parties and go out doesn't mean that they are only about those things. Greeks across the country do a lot of good for their community and raise lots of money for great causes. At many places, the average GPA for Greeks is higher than the university average, Greeks are more involved on campus, hold more leadership positions, and have a greater sense of school pride.</p>
<p>There's even data to suggest that after graduation Greeks are more successful due to greater social capital...it may explain why Greek Alumni tend to give money to their alma maters at rates that are head and shoulders above their non-greek peers. </p>
<p>Basically what I'm trying to get at is you shouldn't just dismiss Greeks b/c you only see one aspect on one campus. There is far more to Greek Life than that. However, I'm not fool enough to assume that a fraternity or sorority is for everyone, b/c I know that's not anywhere close to the truth. I just think that you should have a open mind, and wherever you may end up, at least look at the Greek system, go through recruitment and be sure that you aren't the Greek type, rather than just assuming.</p>