<p>I have heard that Saint Olaf is pretty dry. My son is not big on alcohol, but our family has a European attitude to such things: moderation, not prohibition. We loved Saint Olaf when we visited, the sense of community, down to earth, non-pretentious students. But the reputation that one hears is that Carleton has got its group of stoners and people who drink off and on, but not Saint Olaf...and I am not sure my son would be happy in a total prohibition kind of place. so what's the truth?</p>
<p>The truth is that St. Olaf has drinking like other colleges, but what makes it unique is that drinking does not dominate the weekend culture. The campus is technically dry, but it's not a policy that is always strictly enforced, particularly in the upperclassmen dorms. Essentially, if you want to drink and party you can find people to do it with, but you'll find just as many people who are content to hang out in dorm rooms hanging out and watching movies on a Friday night.</p>