<p>there’s this reputation that Penn is a “social Ivy” (not that it’s a bad thing at all), but the stigma that comes along with that is that academics aren’t as important. is this true at all or is this just the label that got stuck on even though the amount of drinking and partying isn’t above what the average is at other schools.</p>
<p>also, how big is the whole greek scene? i’m sure it’s not as big as it is at dartmouth, but is everyone as understanding as the people are at dartmouth (i.e. using water for pong if you don’t drink).</p>
<p>water for pong? that's hilarious</p>
<p>Hahahahahahahaha....water...ahahahahahah.</p>
<p>Just don't play, then.</p>
<p>I read about that. It was for practicing. Apparently beer pong and beirut is crucial to your social status at Dartmouth, so people practice with water to improve their skills.</p>
<p>Well, the water thing's all good and fun, but I think we're missing the OP's point. I'm actually rather interested in knowing the whole academics vs. social atmosphere at Penn, especially at Wharton, if it's any different. And while I don't mind weekend parties and a good time at a frat, it seems a little too much to have massive raves every night, which I'm sure isn't the case. From what I've heard, the social scene at Penn is what you make of it. Can someone confirm?</p>
<p>One can occupy their weekend nights with plenty of non-drinking activities. Every weekend Penn has lots of student performances that are pretty cheap for admission (5-10 dollars).</p>
<p>On a normal weekend night, I'd say, there's probably only two or so big parties going on. Most people I find go out once a week.</p>
<p>But during special weekends like Spring Fling or the Friday before finals start on the following Thursday, there's a lot more parties. And during NSO (new student orientation) pretty much every frat has a party.</p>
<p>Being the social school of the Ivy League is like being the biggest in a family of mice, haha.</p>
<p>Party life gets the attention but at a big place like Penn you have a total spectrum, from people who party every night to people who are "substance free", vegan, Moslems, Mormons, in rehab, whatever, and you can find a scene to fit into that shares your values whatever they are. </p>
<p>Frats are one possible social scene for those who want them but they are not THE social scene the way they are at places that are in the middle of nowhere and there's nothing else to do. Only 20% belong to frats, so you can easily avoid Greek life if that's not your thing, and for most people, it isn't. Which is not to say that you can't attend frat parties - most people do at times.</p>
<p>In terms of being the "party school" I'd say that Penn is a little below HYP in terms of academic scores and generally (not in individual cases so don't tell me about your friend who got 2400 and goes out drinking every night) willingness of frequency to party goes with a more relaxed attitude toward academics. If you are the kind of kid who wants to maintain a 4.0 so that you can get into Harvard Med then you might opt to study for that organic chemistry test instead of going to one more frat party. There are plenty of these at Penn too but maybe a slightly smaller % than HYP.</p>