<p>I a few questions about undergraduate life.</p>
<p>Since I visited Penn in the summertime, I was unable to get a feeling for what student life was like. I know Penn has a reputation as the "social Ivy," which I took to mean that everyone is friendly and enjoys having a good time. My primary concern, however, is that students at Penn might have too much of a good time.</p>
<p>I should give some background. My brother attended UNC Chapel Hill for about a year and half before he was suspended due to conduct violations. As it turns out, he is an alcoholic. There is a good chance that I am also an addict, but I have never been involved in drugs/drinking.</p>
<p>My question pertains to Penn and its party scene. Is it at the point where it will be a serious distraction to my studies? I plan to go to school to learn, with the partying being more of a sideshow and not the main attraction. Will I be able to enjoy myself without attending parties where drinking is the de facto behavior?</p>
<p>First off, I wanted to say that what you are doing is truly admirable. I know too may people that have alcoholism run in their family, yet they do nothing about it. It is refreshing and encouraging to see someone that cares and is willing to ask and do something about it.</p>
<p>That being said, I would say Penn does not have a heavy focus on drinking as the main way to have a good time on campus. At least that was the vibe I got when I visited last winter. I wish I could definitively tell you from experience but in all honesty I only got a glimpse into what campus life is like because my visit was relatively short.</p>
<p>I think any school is as much of a party school as you make it. If you're looking to party, you'll be able to find one. If you aren't looking to party, there are plenty of other things to do. It's right in Philly so you'll have no problem finding something to do.</p>
<p>people get the wrong idea about penn. It is only a partying/drinking school relative to the other Ivy League schools. relative to a big public like Ohio State or Penn State, the social aspect is pretty low-key</p>
<p>Mentioning it would be a high-stakes gamble that could go either way. I'd err on the side of caution but let your own instinct guide you based on the rapport you establish in the short interview time...</p>