I am a current junior for whom CMC is THE top choice. I have heard that although there are no frats at CMC, it does have a bit of a “fratty”, “jockish” atmosphere and I was wondering how much of this was true. I imagine these rumors may contain a grain of truth, but are for the most part false, seeing as I heard most of these things from Pomona students. Although I do like the idea of “learning for the sake of learning”, I am very driven towards achieving my dream career and am very outgoing, thus my preference for CMC. However, the reason I ask is that I despise the dumb jock types who drink heavily. I understand that CMC is where much of the parties and drinking occur on campus, and was wondering how big parties and drinking are at CMC. I have no issue with either of them, just an excess.
I came to CMC to avoid the stereotypical state school frat boy who participates in binge drinking, bigotry, aggressive misogyny, and sexual abuse of women (all stereotypes). There are some people like that, but very few.
I think most of the “frat” chracterization for CMC comes from our alcohol use and partying. The administration is worried about alcohol use, but most people do it responsibly, imo. Most people drink (heavily by national standards, about 4-7 drinks/night) on Thursdays (if no Friday classes) and Saturdays. There aren’t many people, if any, who drink 7 days a week. There are certainly no parties going Sunday/Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday.
Even those who party often at CMC can hardly be characterized as “dumb.” Given the school’s D3 status, they do not place as much emphasis on athletes. Though it is the case with any school that recruitment gives you some slack regarding stats, CMC athletes tend to be well rounded people with interesting backgrounds much like any other student. There is a clear work hard, play hard vibe at the school, but the people you see partying one night at TNC will be busting their ass on an essay the next. Cannot say that many truly fall into the fratty/douchey category, because once you converse with someone for more than 5 minutes you understand why they were admitted at a school with a 9.4% acceptance rate.