<p>W&L has been one of my top choices since I started the college search process and I have visited many times. My main concern is the reputation it has of a "party school" especially since I don't drink. My questions are for current students/recent alumni-is there really a ton of partying and do you feel different if you don't drink? I love the campus, academics, and everyone I have met at W&L, but this has been a big concern. I appreciate any feedback!</p>
<p>My son doesn't drink and has lots of friends that don't drink either. They love W&L! Ask around - there are a couple of frats, for example, with a lot of non-drinkers, so the atmosphere at their parties is more conversational.</p>
<p>If you are a Christian, there are some <em>very</em> active, very fun Christian groups on campus (like 80-100 kids at a meeting). My ds had a fantastic time at a weekend get away for one of them recently.</p>
<p>D is a non-drinker, but she does go to a lot of the parties where there is drinking. The fact that others drink doesn't bother her, nor does she seem to distinguish her friends between drinkers and non drinkers. She pretty much accepts people on their own terms, and according to her, everyone does the same where she is concerned -- so no special problems, issues or drama over the subject of drinking. I'm usually jealous when I talk to her because she always sounds like she's having such a good time. So, my impression is that being a non drinker is not a critical factor. In general, I think just being outgoing is much more important to having a good social life at W&L than drinking.</p>
<p>W&L's reputation is as a heavy drinking, hard liquor fraternity dominated school of Southern gentlemen & ladies. Whether or not this is still accurate, I can't say. But it was. PR's Best 368 Colleges no longer carries W&L because of, I believe, a dispute over whether or not the binge drinking issues had been addressed and, if so, to what extent & what result. I think W&L may have denied PR access to its students for student surveys. Bucknell has many similarities to W&L. Both are strong academic schools in beautiful settings. For a similiar but a bit milder scene, try Dartmouth College. As a Native American with a 1330/1600 SAT they will probably offer you a fly-in weekend for registered N.A.s If you are a registered member of a North American tribe with a 1330/1600 SAT, you are a likely admit anywhere in the U.S.--especially the Ivies.
Two friends in college were Native Americans and I am familiar with certain issues.</p>
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PR's Best 368 Colleges no longer carries W&L because of, I believe, a dispute over whether or not the binge drinking issues had been addressed and, if so, to what extent & what result. I think W&L may have denied PR access to its students for student surveys.
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<p>Can you source this or are these your own opinions?</p>
<p>My kid's not a drinker but does go to mixers and parties. Also involved with our religion's student group, intercollegiate athlete, a couple of community service orgs, and a social Greek letter organization. It seems as if FLVAdad's kiddo and mine have no problem being social despite not imbibing.</p>
<p>This was something I was really worried about before I came here this fall, but since being here I have had absolutely no problem going to parties every weekend and NOT ONCE feeling the slightest bit of pressure to drink. Many of my friends do, some don't, but most who do only have one or two beers a night, not enough to really get drunk. There is a lot of partying going on here simply because there isn't really anything else to do around town, but the school does a really good job of putting on activities for those who aren't party-ers or just don't feel like going out on a given night. There have been many nights when I've stayed in with a few friends and we never have trouble finding things to do. Don't use W&L's reputation as a party school as a reason not to come. I almost did, and I am SO glad that I ended up coming anyway. This is a fantastic place.</p>
<p>FLVADAD: The letter that I read was from the Fall of 2006 from the President of W&L to the editors of PR's Best 366 Colleges. This letter was widely distributed to guidance counselors/college advisors. I do not have a copy, but the battle over the heavy drinking issue at W&L was no secret at the time. Best if you contact the President's Office at W&L and see if they will furnish you with a copy of the letter. But, it may be a sore issue. Also you can pick up an old copy of PR's Best 366 (now 368) Colleges that contained reviews of Wash. & Lee University. Good Luck!
P.S. The contents of the letter detailed a few ways that W&L had undertaken or planned to take with respect to the binge drinking issues. Essentially it was a plea to PR to lay off & let us handle this outside of the public eye.
This is the first year that W&L was dropped from PR's Best 366 Colleges guide.</p>
<p>Thanks ColdWind. So far all I was able to find was a response to PR that had been put out in 2004 by W&L's former President. It's clear that W&L was irritated with PR on several levels, but taking exception to the "party school" tag was the impetus for publishing the response. Frankly, I think W&L makes some valid comments regarding PR. I have seen similar comments from many others in the past. Here is the link for anyone interested in reading it: </p>
<p>thanks for posting that link flvadad..I've wondered about their choice to become involved in the Amethyst Initiative--but upon reading further it seems a desire to "discuss and examine" drinking age is the intention. hard to know--have heard there is still hazing in fraternities and am confused as to how this could continue in light of the Honor Code--I remain open minded and think we need to put our faith in our kids' judgment, but still want to explore this further. College students do need to experiment and find their way, and best to be realistic about this.</p>