<p>CMC parent here but I will answer last couple for now. I think the students are very busy as it is nearing the end of the semester.</p>
<p>MoEtufts-</p>
<p>My D has a friend from Syria and I know she has mentioned at least another student. Can’t remember which country. She knows a lot of students from India as well. (Yes, I know, not really the same.) Middle Eastern Studies/Arabic are very popular and well attended from all 5 of the colleges. They bring in outside speakers as well from the Arabic world. It’s a big deal on campus. A dual major is a double major but each major requires two less courses to make it more doable. </p>
<p>maplegirl-</p>
<p>D walks everywhere and has taken classes at Pomona and Mudd as well. (Never more than a 10-15 minute walk.) Some have bikes and skateboards-it’s quicker but not necessary.</p>
<p>Hi, this is really helpful, we all appreciate it a lot. I just visited and this seems like the perfect school for me, except that I have some misgivings about the alcohol-centered social life. I’m a really social guy, but getting drunk every weekend isn’t my idea of fun. Should I be worried about this or do you know a lot of social people who are happy without getting wasted all the time? Thanks a lot</p>
<p>Critter is doing a great job, but i will jump in to try to answer your question. I have a son at CMC and although he will party and I am sure drink at times, he is really to busy to do it regularly. Besides his academics, he is involved in a number of time-consuming extracurricular activities which doesn’t allow for a lot of time to party and drink every weekend. He is very social and has a ton of friends, but doesn’t ever feel any pressure to party or drink unless he wants too. You will find kids who drink, and other kids who will not. There are alcohol-free dorms if you would like to live with other kids who don’t want alcohol in their dorm. Although CMC seems to have a reputation for partying and some drinking (work hard, play hard), I think it is overblown and not nearly to the degree some people think. Believe me these kids are all very accomplished and didn’t get admitted to CMC because they’re drunk all the time. There is so much to do at CMC, and so many stimulating and interesting activities to be involved in that I really don’t think you have to worry about being around kids who are wasted all the time. Bottom line - there is is drinking at all colleges, but it does not define CMC anymore than most other schools. If drinking was that prevalent at CMC, there would be no way the alumni could be as successful and accomplished as they are.</p>
<p>Just thought I would add that I was at the school yesterday (Saturday) until around 9:00 PM and will admit I saw some drinking on campus, but noticed that there was a big music festival at Pitzer and a lot of kids were over there. That’s the great thing about the 5C’s, if you don’t like what’s happening at one campus, you can check out the other schools. BTW, I would imagine you having drinking Sat night on every campus (maybe except Bob Jones University) in the US.</p>
<p>Another parent here. My D has admissions ties (tours, panels etc…you may have crossed paths on your visit.) She says if she only had a dime for every time she gets that question/comment!</p>
<p>Anyway, we had similar concerns. It seems that many former men’s colleges have a similar stereotype to deal with; some more deserved than others.</p>
<p>Our D is a nondrinker/nonpartier at CMC. (Yes, there is such a thing!) One of her best friends across the hall is the same and he is a very social person as well. The other guys across the hall apparently never met a party they didn’t like. People are respectful of noise levels for the most part, when they are getting ready to go out. (The parties tend to be on the north quad.) They are all serious students, after all. D does not live in a subfree hall by choice and loves it. No problems. Just stay away from the north quad if you don’t want a louder ‘social’ environment to call home. (Many want to live there for that very reason!) </p>
<p>We were concerned about CMC’s rep as well and asked a lot of questions. What we found out is that CMC prefers to have the students do their partying on campus where they can keep an eye on things and the other students know that they will not get in trouble if they get help for a friend. (They also know that their friends will not face reprisals if they need to get them help.) The idea is that future careers and lives can be saved. Schools that drive alcohol off campus or behind ‘closed doors’ tend to have more problems with DUIs and alcohol poisoning…sometimes with tragic results.</p>
<p>parent57 is absolutely right, you can go off campus looking for a party (Fridays are quiet at CMC) or looking for something quieter. D likes hub quiz, watching movies or sporting events at big screen events with lots of CMCers, renting a zip car and taking off with friends, school sponsored retreats/trips (like ball games, Knotts, water parks) or walking into the village. She also likes to just hang out with friends.</p>
<p>In short, as long as you are not totally opposed to other kids drinking, I think you will be fine. D goes to parties at times with friends but usually leaves early. (She has a lot of commitments and is a very early riser.) Even if you never go to the parties, there will be plenty to do and everyone will be ok with that-no pressure.</p>