Is the party school reputation accurate?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Dartmouth College
1

<p>There are many, many things which I love about Dartmouth, including but not limited to the D-plan, study abroad, the outing club and pre-orientation trips. Due to these factors as well as its size and rural location, it's definitely my favorite Ivy and probably my favorite school overall as well. I also love the color green =)</p>

<p>However, there is one thing that concerns me: Dartmouth's reputation as a party school. I don't drink, and I don't plan to in college either. What I want to know is: how predominant is the drinking culture at Dartmouth? I know drinking is common at almost any college, so does Dartmouth really party harder, or are they just more famous because they have a movie made about them?</p>

<p>I know that a diverse student body of 4000 or so will have plenty of people who choose not to drink, so please don't just say that you know people who don't drink. I want specifics, such as the opinions of your friends and what they do as an alternative. In short, what is the experience of a Dartmouth non-drinker like? </p>

<p>I'm planning to visit again sometime in October and hopefully stay overnight, so I can probably get some of these questions answered then. I've been worrying about this for a while though, so I'd like to resolve this as soon as possible. </p>

<p>Thank you!! and sorry for the long post</p>

2

<p>Well, first off, I hope you have an awesome time when you visit; you should definitely do everything possible to stay overnight. And when you do, I would recommend at least going out to a frat, just to see what the scene is like, even if you think its not for you. </p>

<p>Does Dartmouth party more than any other school, probably not. Do we take it more seriously, with pong and a Greek dominated social scene, I think so. But yes, there are non-drinkers at Dartmouth. One option for things to do for fun that don’t involve drinking… not drinking. Almost all the Greek houses (there are a couple of exceptions) are totally cool with people playing pong with water instead of beer. And there is no rule that says you have to be drunk to have fun at a dance party… dancing is fun sober too. Going to parties sober, especially if there is a theme or a band playing, is just as fun as going drunk.</p>

<p>If when you say you don’t want to drink you really mean you aren’t big on partying or going out to frats, there are a ton of options as well. I know there is a blitz list on campus for light/non drinkers, which sends out updates on alternative activities that don’t involve alcohol. There are performances at the Hop (arts center), movies both at the Hop and in town, cultural events sponsored by various organizations, and restaurants in town. “Alternative Social Spaces” is a big push on campus at the moment, and so there are events intentionally designed as an alternative to greek life. </p>

<p>But the biggest thing non drinkers do is just hang out with their friends. If you apply to East Wheelock or Substance Free housing, you will probably be living with people who are also not into drinking or frats, which will give you a built in group of friends down with hanging out, having movie marathons, or doing whatever on mondays, wednesdays, fridays, and saturdays. Some of my friends who don’t drink, or me on nights I’m not up to going out, watch movies, go hang out and watch drunk people be stupid at EBAs (a pizza place in town), go stargaze on the golf course, or whatever it is we feel like doing. There is also pool in the basement of Collis, and ping pong tables in the basement of Thayer dining hall. Most Freshman dorms also have some combination ping pong tables, foozeball, etc. </p>

<p>Sorry for the long answer, but I hope it helped!</p>

3

<p>It is no more or less a party school than any other. If you want to be in the party, you can. There are plenty who don’t and don’t want to be. I think this is true anywhere.</p>

4

<p>Thank you so much! That’s really helpful. I feel much better now. A lot of those things you mentioned are really appealing to me. For instance, I may not be a party-er, I LOVE to dance. The last paragraph reminds me of the “not-parties” my friends and I delight in throwing because they basically consist of us hanging out and either watching a movie or making quesadillas or muffins.</p>

<p>Again, thank you!</p>