<p>my daughter is not into the party drinking scene and she is wants to make sure that there is a decent social scene where there isnt the peer pressure to drink and where there might be other stuff to do then traditional frat parties.</p>
<p>she is between colgate and lafayette...</p>
<p>anybody have any thoughts for me to relay to her?</p>
<p>As a Lafayette student I can tell you there are tons of things to do at night that don’t involve alcohol or staying out too late. Just about every Friday and Saturday night there are organizations that host events (i.e, last week there was a lip sync event hosted by the music-appreciation group followed by a mis-matched clothing dance hosted by a bunch of different organizations) open to all students in the student center. Often there are comedians brought in and/or other guests and these events are always well attended by students who just want to have a good, sober time.</p>
<p>And, if ever she does want to branch out and at least “get her feet wet” - so to say - there are ways for her to go about doing so in a safe social group. The general freshman “occassional” drinking scene can be what you make of it, but its pretty clear that most people have fun and enjoy it on their own accord. </p>
<p>Not everyone drinks, and those who don’t are not only the ones who have fun at the previously mentioned events, they are also, as upperclassman, usually the ones running these events.</p>
<p>PickleMom,</p>
<p>Greek life is small at Lafayette. There are six fraternities and six sororities for balance. (Although I read somewhere that frats may be reduced to 5) with about 25%-30% choosing that option after a Sophomore year rush. Much more popular are social living groups based on common interests (treehouse floor, computer science floor etc.) and clubs (@200). Proximity to Philadelphia and New York provides abundant art opportunities on campus and off. It is popular to attend a home games (football, lacrosse and basketball) and cheer on the leopards in the Patriot league. </p>
<p>I mention all these things because I honestly think there are many more things to interest a student today at Lafayette than partying! Please feel free to p.m. me if you have more specific questions.</p>
<p>thanks for all the lafayette help! :)</p>
<p>anybody have any colgate words of wisdom for me?</p>
<p>My eldest graduated from Colgate in 2008.</p>
<p>She is not a big partier either, but had a wonderful social experience. For example, she was involved in a cello group and Intervarsity Christian Fellowship. </p>
<p>Has she visited the schools?</p>
<p>My D visited both Colgate and Lafayette and both were on her short list.</p>
<p>She LOVED Colgate when we went to visit but decided, ultimately, that it was too remote for her. Her cousin went there and, while he had an excellent experience and stayed all four years, he says now that if he had to do it all over again, he’d choose a school that was less isolated. </p>
<p>She did apply to Lafayette and was accepted as a Marquis scholar - we just sent in the deposit! She is also not a drinker but having known several kids who’ve gone thru there or who are there now she isn’t worried about finding like-minded friends. It’s got the small-town college vibe but is close to NY and Philly. </p>
<p>I think you’ll have the same kinds of students at both schools – And, I am sure that at both schools you’ll be able to find kids who party and kids who prefer other activities. I loved the Colgate campus too, but felt (without telling D and after talking to my nephew) that the location is reallllly limiting and might get a bit tiresome to anyone after a year or two. I also got more of a ‘big-school’ feeling at Colgate – at Lafayette it was a more initmate feeling and all evidence seems to point that the kids are really happy with the interaction between faculty and students. </p>
<p>I would say at this point location may be a deciding facotr for your D also. Good luck!
Let us know what she decides!</p>
<p>she has visited and i dont think the remoteness is a problem for her… she just wants to feel like there is more then a tiny minority who dont like to drink…</p>
<p>she is shy and reserved…</p>
<p>she is leaning a bit towards colgate… but still not completely sure.</p>