<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 Swarthmore?</p>
<p>Swarthmore is decidedly a non-party school. For example, there is just ONE (count one) fraternity at Swat and even they are pretty much not an animal house or anything. It is absolutely possible to not have a drink at Swarthmore and get by.</p>
<p>one fraternity?? what happened?</p>
<p>From my experience, it seems like the athletes are much more social and party-oriented than the rest of the populace at Swat.</p>
<p>Swarthmore sounds like a great school for you. check out U Chicago and Reed too.</p>
<p>Thanks guys. I feel reassured–it seems I have made the right college choices! :)</p>
<p>doonerak: I also applied to UChicago :)</p>
<p>yes it is possible.</p>
<p>there are two fraternities, not one.</p>
<p>people who aren’t athletes party too.</p>
<p>you will be 100% comfortable without drinking, especially once you find a good group of friends (which will be the case anywhere)</p>
<p>What liminal said. I don’t drink at all and I’m perfectly content with my social life at Swat, although others might not like my definition of social life. In some ways, it’s easier to not drink if you also dislike partying. There have been an increasing number of alternative dry social spaces available this semester, as well.</p>
<p>For people reading this thread who don’t want to join a fraternity and/or aren’t athletes but do like to party, don’t worry if achat’s post scared you. I strongly disagree that Swarthmore is “decidedly a non-party school”. It’s certainly true that whether or not you drink, party or smoke, you will find a place and a group of friends for yourself. That’s what I love about Swat. But there is an extremely decent party scene outside of the frats, in addition to whatever private gatherings people might have. (On the other hand, most people will not approve if you make a habit of getting hammered on weeknights. But if that’s what you’re going to college for, this is probably the wrong place for you.)</p>
<p>At the very beginning of freshman year, I was kind of overwhelmed by the number of people that were drinking, given Swarthmore’s lack of reputation as a party school. However, I’m now convinced that that’s just because it’s a lot easier for people who want to party and drink to find other people who want to do so, because they can all just go to parties and drink, whereas it’s not immediately obvious where to look for friends who don’t want to party in that way. Consequently, such friends can take a bit longer to find, particularly if you’re a bit shy like I am. Nonetheless, I found a large set of friends who don’t drink by the end of my first semester, and that group has only expanded since. Official parties do tend to be a bit alcohol-centric for my taste (although that could be an inaccurate impression, since i don’t really go to them), but I’m just finishing my junior year and the only time I’ve had alcohol was to socialize with a local steel workers union after a successful protest. It’s available if you want it, but it doesn’t need to be a part of your life if you don’t.</p>