<p>I was accepted to Dartmouth and will most likely attend, but the more I read through some past threads (mainly from current/past students), the more something continues to surprise me: can drinking really be as prevalent in college as everyone describes? </p>
<p>First of all, I am ignorant; it's just the result of a perhaps sheltered upbringing in the suburbs. Anyways, I just don't get it. How do fraternities and sororities (of which 60% of students are apparently members) affect Dartmouth's general culture? And, because this is anonymous and so no one in real life will know just how ignorant I am: what is even the point of drinking? I've never understand the general attraction of alcohol for college students or anyone.</p>
<p>Someone please enlighten me. I'm worried that I know nothing about anything.</p>
<p>OP, there is drinking at DM, but in all honestly, there is drinking at every college. The good thing about DM is no one will pressure you to drink or think any less of you if you choose not to drink. With so many kids in greek life, they are a presence on campus, but greek life at DM is very different than any other campus. All of the parties (with the exception of semi-formals, formals, etc) are open, meaning anyone can come. Boys from one frat often go to other frats. This doesn’t happen at other schools. I’m a parent, but to me, this is a huge advantage of DM. Kids are truly friends with kids in other houses, as well as their non-affiliated friends. I think a lot of this is due to the fact no one can pledge before sophomore year. This gives you a full year to make friends and decide if greek life is for you. Again, don’t believe what you read on these threads. In terms of why people drink, I’ll let the college kids pipe in on that. Many do, many don’t. I’m guessing (and it is just that) that a majority of kids that drink at DM did not drink in high school. DM is academically challenging though, so they all have to balance work and play. Honestly, you will find your group of friends. I wouldn’t worry about this.</p>
<p>This was also a concern of mine when I was choosing colleges, having had probably less than a cup of beer my whole life before heading off to college. </p>
<p>I never felt pressured to drink, whatsoever, when I was there. My first day, my roommate and I met up with some seniors and juniors we knew through trips. We visited their houses - drinks all around - I felt no pressure and no judgment when I said no thanks. </p>
<p>I made friends of all types - the ones who black out by 5 pm on Wednesdays of big weekends and the ones who have not touched a drop in their years on campus. It’s a very open community. </p>
<p>By the time one is in college, I believe that they should be mature enough to speak up for themselves when they want to say no, and that others should be (and in my experience, have been) mature enough to accept that without judgment.</p>