<p>I know it's a stereotype of Dartmouth that it's a huge drinking school. For all those going to dartmouth, or at Dartmouth, how did this play into your final decision and how is life for the non-drinkers?</p>
<p>I was hosted at East Wheelock during Dimensions, and none of my hosts were drinkers, same with their friends on the floor. All of them were really happy. They occasionally still went to the frat parties and hung out, but a lot of times they did other stuff (they told me they played Risk and Monopoly on the weekend sometimes...that probably isn't very reassuring, but I'm sure they did better stuff as well). My host said about half the students were into drinking, and half weren't. They definitely felt a sense of place in the community, regardless of how often they drank.<br>
As to your other question, every school I was admitted to has an active frat scene, so I chose Dartmouth because it seemed to have the most inclusive and welcoming Greek community (as well as a sizeable population of students who don't drink. Someone posted a link to a Dartmouth survey about drinking, and 24% reported they don't drink at all, so if that's your niche, there will definitely be a lot of kids.) I also realized that the drinking is unvoidable, unless you go to Wheaton or something, so I just picked Dartmouth for the great community!</p>
<p>I'm a non-drinker '09...I'll be requesting sub-free housing, because my experience at the River was not positive in terms of what I observed in alcohol use.</p>
<p>I'm guessing that being in a dorm with 80 other non-users will mean not drinking will not be a social problem at all.</p>
<p>no, there will be those at Wheaton too. i'd day Bob Jones University wouldn't though...</p>
<p>BJU, besides having an unfortunate and ironic abbreviation, SCARES THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS OUT OF ME. That much "purity" is soooo unnatural.</p>
<p>no one drinks because its illegal</p>
<p>hahahahaha so true so true</p>
<p>hey Kelly, what were your experiences at the River dorms? I am trying to decide whether I should apply for East Wheelock or risk it in River/Choates. I got a good feel for East Wheelock, but unfortunately not for the freshman dorms. What was it like?</p>
<p>the choates are off the proverbial chain. write in that you want to live there on your housing app unless you are really bent on the quiet, subfree deal.</p>
<p>Can you request specific dorms? At Dimensions, I was told you couldn't, you could only request subfree.</p>
<p>You can request sub-free or you can apply to live in East Wheelock</p>
<p>Salia -- there are only two sub-free dorms, one for mixed classes, and one for upperclassmen. So, requesting sub-free, you're requesting one dorm in particular.</p>
<p>as a freshmen requesting sub free, you could be placed in either russell-sage (2 room triples) Russell Sage are substance free communities. First-year students are assigned primarily to triple rooms in Russell Sage, which is a mixed class community. The is also a possibility that you could be placed in the Cohen or little Dorms at Choates (all freshmen housing)</p>
<p>All the non-drinkers must be on CC :). DD is a non-drinker, and is pondering where to live as well. Maybe if enough freshman request sub-free, they will make some of Choates sub-free.</p>
<p>I understand the process for applying for subfree or East Wheelock, but benedwodo was implying that one could specifically request Choates in particular. Is this true?</p>
<p>
[quote]
Russell Sage, which is a mixed class community.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Cangel:</p>
<p>That sounds like a double-benefit. I see a lot of role-model/mentoring value to mixed class housing for first year students.</p>
<p>no, you cant. but it doesn't hurt to write a little note in....i did, and got placed in brown (in the choates)</p>
<p>Nice. Thanks for the tip. I'm really scared I will get stuck all the way over in the River dorms. Is it possible to check whether you want all freshman living or mixed? Someone at Dimensions also said that was possible. I agree with interesteddad, I think there are some benefits to living in mixed housing.</p>
<p>Idad - I agree that there are some benefits to mixed class, EW is mixed class as well, although there are freshman halls. Having more than just one dorm advisor can be very helpful, plus having people around who have moved beyond partying gives balance.
The downside at Dartmouth is that with the D-plan, it makes sense for a frosh to make as many friends as possible in order to find those soph and junior roomies when you are moving on and off campus. Of course your friends can be from a different class, but sometimes be willing to mentor, and becoming friendly enough to room together are different things - although I shared an apartment in college with girls from 3 different class years.</p>
<p>While you keep the same roommate the entire freshman year THe D-plan can make things a bit sketchy for upper classmen. Example: One of D's friends (Sally) asked if D wanted to room with her in EW this coming year. D was not going to be able to do it because she accepted a position as a UGA (Undergraduate Advisor- same as an RA in other colleges). D will have a single room.</p>
<p>Sally asked one of their other friends (Jane who was also accepted into EW) to room with her . Jane said yes. Sally and Jane will room Fall term. Winter term, Sally will not be on campus because she is studying abroad. Jane will be on campus. The way that D explained it to me is that Jane has 2 options, she could either find another roommate or a roommate will be assigned to her (remember there will be studnets returning from fall study abroad who need a room).</p>
<p>For returning students they are given a list of available rooms and are asked to choose one. For this scenario, Suzy has returned from study abroad and has decided to take a room in EW. Even though she and Jane do not know each other, they can be roommates. For all Jane knows, Suzy could be a hard drinker. When Sally returns to campus in the spring, she will have to find a new room as she des not get the original room she had with Jane back.</p>