<p>i've been hearing that yale is a big party school and someone even said it on another thread but...how true is this? i really don't like drinking, partying, drugs...call me boring, but i prefer more innocent type of fun...hanging out with friends, student organizations, arts-related groups, cultural activities, campus-wide events, etc. i know that exists at yale too. but to what degree? and how prevalent is the partying?</p>
<p>also if you wouldn't mind could you compare the level of partying to some other schools like:</p>
<p>cornell
brown
princeton
usc
berkeley
middlebury </p>
<p>you probably wouldn't KNOW since most of you have only been to yale, but if any of you have knowledge about or can compare it to any of these schools, that'd be great. thanks!!</p>
<p>of course, the level of partying isn't the most important thing about a school by any means. but i do think it has a considerable impact on "fit", especially for someone like me. so any info would be much appreciated.</p>
<p>The alternative to the heavy party scene is VERY strong at Yale. And there’s no social stigma to those who pursue it either. Everyone is cool with what everyone else does so no one is looked down upon.</p>
<p>Yale a “big party school?” No college is perfect, but that’s a new one to me.</p>
<p>The general elements that contribute to an alcohol-infused party scene on a campus are rural location, Division I athletics, strong Greek system, and less racial diversity than average. To try to determine how strong the alcohol culture is at the schools on your list, look at those elements.</p>
<p>Cornell has more partying, Princeton has a similar level, though more concentrated on eating clubs, while USC, UCB, and Middlebury all have more. Brown definitely has more drug use, but not necessarily “partying”.</p>
<p>Here, it is ridiculously easy to avoid actual partying. Even if alcohol is a part of the culture, no one looks down on you for not drinking nor going out (as long as you aren’t spending Saturday night in the library), and in general, hanging out with friends is an acceptable and common way to pass time. You’ll have to accept yourself that alcohol consumption does occur, and tolerate it (there is an overwhelming chance that one of your suitemates, minimally, will drink; I think 12-14 out of 16 of the guys in my entryway will have at least occasional drinks), but once you surmount that, you’ll be fine. Also, even if you intend to spend time in organizations rather than party, there is no guarantee once you arrive that you won’t want to go out and experience that. Just be aware of that.</p>
<p>I can’t compare to the other schools on your list, but i can tell you my experiences. I don’t drink–i don’t like the taste and i don’t want to feel out of control. but i still have fun. Some of my friends drink, but most are like me or will drink occasionally, but it is not their main activity. I’ve never had a problem not drinking- i still hang out with friends, watch a movie, play a game, do extracurriculars, or just talk. I have watched concerts and plays. And no one ever looks at me weirdly because i don’t party. I’ve been asked occasionally why i don’t drink, but just out of curiosity and never because they were trying to get me to.</p>
<p>yeah…yale is pretty much the DEFINITION of party school. but i’m like you. like, i havent been to a single party since i’ve been here, and i’ve still had a lot of fun. you’ll meet people like you and then together you guys will find things to do. it’ll be fun, i promise.</p>
<p>fluffyhouse: While I’m sure you’ve witnessed some stuff going on, let me assure you that Yale is no where close to the definition of a party school.</p>
<p>You need to get around more. ON second thought. Don’t . The stuff that’s out there is rather disgusting. Think “Animal House”. Think Dartmouth.</p>
<p>I think Middlebury has a considerable drinking scene. You’re really not going to get away from it, though. Unless you go to BYU (not to knock BYU). ;)</p>
<p>haha, that’s true, i’m just trying to gauge an idea of which schools its most prevalent at. and while byu might be the only school without a drinking scene, i don’t think it would accept my kind. ;)</p>
<p>It’s not really a big deal here. There’s a bunch of things to do besides party and lots of people don’t party. If you want to, Yale has a decent party scene, not really extremely hardcore like some state schools or even Dartmouth. I’ve been to Dartmouth, they go a lot harder than Yalies but I think that’s more because there’s absolutely nothing else to do. </p>
<p>From what I’ve heard, the other Ivies on your list don’t have as great a party scene as Yale does. Partying at USC would be ridiculously intense though. Wow that would be fun.</p>
<p>fluffyhouse: You didn’t go to Safety Dance?! (I didn’t either…)</p>
<p>Anyways, partying is definitely present here (i.e. you can almost always find something). But you can most definitely spend your time doing other things. I’ve spent weekends just hanging out with friends, or playing games at La Casa (on a Saturday night!) just chilling, or having philosophical debates with my suitemates. I’ve also had my fair share of big parties. It’s all up to you, so no need to worry about people looking down on you. You most definitely will not be the only one, I promise.</p>
<p>^Yeah, whitecadillac, USC is also supposed to have a strong party scene. I think that, nevertheless, if you want to go into film USC should not come off your list because of it.</p>