<p>I don't really like partying, and certainly not drinking. I would very much prefer to read a good book, watch a movie, hang around with boyfriend, chat with friends casually (or have a discussion about philosophy, math, history, etc.), workout at the gym, or just sleep. </p>
<p>Would I be able to have a comfortable experience at Pomona?</p>
<p>Yes. Something like a third of students choose to be in a “substance-free” sponsor group in their first year. You’ll have an instant group of friends, most of whom feel the same way you do. If you don’t go sub-free, you could end up living with a group where everyone else parties every weekend.</p>
<p>lockn, did you choose sub-free? I’ve heard that some people feel like it limited their socializing with their class. Any recommendations for someone who is sub-free, but would probably do fine in no-sub or low-sub housing? Thanks!</p>
<p>I’m very conflicted between sub and sub-free, due to the risks of the extremes of either end (as I’m a very moderate person with partying and such). I don’t want a “boring” sponsor group that almost looks down on substance use, but nor do I want a messy group that parties a lot.</p>
<p>I’m a little bit of a loss as to what to do.</p>
<p>For what its worth, I think housing does a pretty good job of matching roommates and sponsor groups, and I have heard that the level of partying is taken into consideration in putting together sponsor groups. Current students might have a better perspective on this than I do (I’m the parent of a freshman), but this was something that a tour guide told us. I didn’t see the housing questionare that my son filled out. However, he and his roommate have a lot of common interests, and he has found his sponsor group this year very compatible, so there may be some truth to it. He does not live in substance-free housing.</p>
<p>I did not choose sub-free. Some of the people in my sponsor group were non-drinkers, and they were fine. There are also people who <em>do</em> drink in sub-free sponsor groups (“sub-free” means don’t do it in your room). </p>
<p>There’s a question on the housing form that asks you to rank from 1 to 10 how much you drink/party/use substances (can’t remember the exact wording). This is separate from the question of whether your sponsor group will be sub free. I think a good compromise for someone who doesn’t personally drink but is fine with being around alcohol would be to join sub hall, but rate yourself on the low end of the scale. You could even explicitly write “I don’t drink, but don’t want to be in a sub-free hall”.</p>
<p>A quick primer on how the party scene works. Most people start out the night in small gatherings in dorm rooms (3-10 people). You may have heard of “pre-gaming” where people down a bunch of shots before running off to a party, but that isn’t what I’m talking about. It’s hanging out, with alcohol. At some point, groups of people start to filter out of these small parties toward the large college events. </p>
<p>Someone could feel left out socially, but it depends on your expectations. If want to go to a social event where hundreds of sober people are gathered at 11 PM on any Friday night, you will be disappointed. If you just want to hang out with some friends (the same thing the drinking people do for most of the night), you’ll be fine.</p>
<p>shootastar,
I’m on a sub-free hall right now and I don’t drink (and don’t plan to). I think some people on my hall may drink, but if they do, they don’t drink in the hall and it’s not part of what we do together. You can be in sub-free housing for as long as you want. I know some seniors here who don’t drink, although it of course becomes more popular as you get older. I had the exact same concern, but I haven’t even thought about it since I got here.</p>
<p>To answer the question, sure thing! I haven’t drunk (alcohol of course) in my time at Pomona, and I don’t plan to. The generally socially acceptable thing to do in general is that people don’t pressure others to drink, and this is pretty much followed. That said, you can just voice your desire in your housing form and everything should work out.</p>
<p>Even if you’re unhappy with your sponsor group (which does happen…the people putting these groups together aren’t perfect), there’s nothing stopping you from finding a group of friends elsewhere.</p>
<p>SDMomof3 pretty much hit the head of the nail on this one.</p>
<p>Thanks all for your excellent responses! I’m glad to hear that Pomona is a place where one’s own lifestyle and preferences are respected and there is no pressure to conform. Anxiously waiting to hear back from Pomona! ;)</p>