How big is the Frat scene at Allegheny College in PA?

Does campus social life revolve around frats & sports pretty exclusively?

Less than 30% are in Greek life from the research my S did.

I have no direct experience, but Allegheny was one of my daughter’s top 2 college choices. We visited three times and didn’t get the impression that it was heavy Greek or athletics. It seemed to be a great mix of all types of students versus a “type.” I checked Niche because sometimes you can get an idea based on the answers to “What one word or phrase best describes the typical student at this school?” The top three for Allegheny are: Accepting 32%, Diverse interests 32%, Hard-working 20%. 62% says Greek life is average and no one will treat you differently if you join, and 70% say Varsity sporting events are not a huge part of campus life.

Thanks for your replies. My S will probably be happier somewhere that isn’t a huge party school. Allegheny is one of his top two choices right now and he’s going to try to re-visit both in the next two weeks before he makes a final decision.

taverngirl - if you or your daughter saw anything that really caught your eye on any of your visits, I’d be interested in hearing. Wondering about workload, dorms, Meadville, etc.

Thanks again.

@Aug2019 - my S is also planning to visit Allegheny in the next few weeks. We have never been and are really anxious to get on campus! My S is not interested in a frat- centric school either - Allegheny really seems like a place he would thrive.
How did you find it during your previous visit? If you don’t mind my asking, what other school is he considering?

Hi Leigh22 - Thanks very much for your reply. Son is deciding between Allegheny (PA) & Goucher (MD). He’s gotten into several other schools in MD that he thought about seriously. He likes the location of Goucher, near other schools, etc. but knows the academics are really strong at Allegheney. (Waitlisted at Gettysburg - won’t try for that.)

On his first visit S took an extensive tour. He really liked the campus and the atmosphere. Pool & gym were great. He didn’t get to eat in the main dining hall, sample dorm room looked nice enough. He wants to go back to get a better feel before making a final decision and we plan to get him there in the next 2-3 weeks.

@Leigh22

Thanks very much for your reply. Son is deciding between Allegheny (PA) & Goucher (MD). He’s gotten into several other schools in MD that he thought about seriously. He likes the location of Goucher, near other schools, etc. but knows the academics are really strong at Allegheney. (Waitlisted at Gettysburg - won’t try for that.)

On his first visit S took an extensive tour. He really liked the campus and the atmosphere. Pool & gym were great. He didn’t get to eat in the main dining hall, sample dorm room looked nice enough. He wants to go back to get a better feel before making a final decision and we plan to get him there in the next 2-3 weeks.

S did an overnight at Allegheny two weeks ago. S spent the evening with 5 freshmen who were good friends. His host and two of the young men were in a fraternity; the other two were not. They talked quite a bit about social life on campus. They told him that frat membership does not determine your friend group, everyone socializes pretty openly together…They also told him there is usually one party most weekends with drinking. Weeknight parties and hard drugs are not really a thing there but some kids use marijuana. S came away with he idea that Allegheny is pretty tame,which is his preference. He thought the kids seemed very happy, smart and hardworking. We had a fantastic experience and are probably about to commit.

Thank you very much for writing a reply - very useful. S is planning to go to same event in a few weeks and I think that will help him to make up his mind about where he thinks he’ll find the best “fit.”

Good luck to your son next year!