<p>I just received some questions through a PM and I figured I would share my responses with everybody.</p>
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I've always been pretty interested in fraternity life...I read the thread where you say joining a frat as a sophomore may not be the best idea but I was wondering if you had any further thoughts on that.
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<p>In terms of the social life at Cornell, I may not be the best person to ask regarding the Greek scene, as I made my concerns about it known on the one thread. The fraternity system at Cornell is fairly large, and a lot of guys absolutely love the leadership and social opportunities it provides. It's really a "home" on campus for most students. The parties also tend to be huge and crazy, if that's your cup of tea.</p>
<p>That said, I do believe there are negative aspects to the Greek system, as I expressed elsewhere:</p>
<p>I'm much better prepared to talk about social life among independents who live off campus, the bar scene, etc. I spent a little bit of time talking about it here:</p>
<p>I'm of firm opinion that the off-campus party scene at Cornell is the best in the Northeast, and certainly puts anything you can find in Boston to shame. I lived in Boston for two years, and generally found the Green Line parties pretty pathetic.</p>
<p>As for whether or not you should hang out with your other friends on campus. It's up to you. You may end up having your own social scene, you may not. Cornell's a good place to explore what type of person you want to be. Either within the Greek system or outside of it.</p>
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What's the social life like for sophomores during second semester of sophomore year if you don't pledge? I hear the frats don't throw many open parties second semester and I wouldn't be 21 yet to go to the bars. I'm actually not going to be 21 until my senior year! Are the bars easy on IDs at cornell or should I not even try it? So what is the social life like for upperclassmen not in a fraternity?
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<p>Cornell is a very diverse place. And the most visible social circles are the Greek scene and the weekend bar hoppers, but there is a lot of other type of partying going on -- at the co-ops which feature all sorts of naked debauchery, the underground parties in the residence halls, among the architects, the indie kids and hipster set, the aggies, etc. etc...</p>
<p>A lot of non-Greek social life revolves around the various clubs and activities that people are involved with. Kids who write for the Sun tend to drink at the Sun. Kids who play rugby or ultimate or club soccer tend to drink with their teammates. Kids who sing in a capella group or are in the Glee Club... drink with their fellow performers... etc. etc. This typically occurs in off-campus apartments in Collegetown where upperclassmen live, but can often occur in off-campus housing on West and North. These often don't manifest themselves in huge raging parties, but rather smaller gatherings often featuring food and various amount of drugs. My sophomore and junior year, I lived in a house that liked to host fondue parties, crepe parties, beer making parties, etc. etc. But by senior year we were hosting 200+ people in our seven person house, complete with live bands, etc.</p>
<p>By senior year, there is actually a fair amount of interaction between the non-Greek and Greek sections of campus again. A lot of Greeks tend to shy away from their associations by the end of junior year. But others live it up in their house to the end.</p>
<p>The bars don't tend to get big for <em>most</em> students until the end of junior year/senior year. That said, the kids with fakes start going to the bars their freshmen year. And places like Dunbars don't really card. Going sake bombing or drinking at the on-campus bowling alley is bigger when you are a sophomore or junior.</p>
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I'm thinking of joining the PreOrientation Service trips program or the Wilderness Reflections program to meet more people. Do you know people who went on any of these and was it worth it? Is there any advice you can give about orientation in general and did you like it?
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<p>And yes, Orientation is typically pure bliss. Just meet as many people as you can, go to as many events as you can, and sign up for as many clubs as you can. And don't party all night or else you will miss half the stuff going on during the day.</p>
<p>I was a WR guide for three years at Cornell, and heartily recommend it. It's a great way to meat other students and upperclassmen, and really helps you to find your footing before you step foot on campus. The same goes for POST, and I think every Cornell student should be made to do a pre-orientation trip of some sort, much like at Dartmouth and Harvard.</p>