Questions About Freshman Social Scene

<p>rush week is one huge debauchery of fun. my liver did not like me that week.</p>

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youll feel really left out when you come back from winter break and everyone is sharing their stories...

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<p>Actually, one of the greatest things about Cornell IMO is that it's so big that if you "miss out," accidentally or by choice, on some activity- be it rush or a sports team or something else- you won't feel left out. The majority of people I lived with freshman year didn't participate in rush and were happier for it. And then, obviously, there are always lots of people who rush and love that too. To warn someone that they'll feel left out if they don't get involved in rush week party insanity just seems so... high school (or even middle school) to me. I don't mean anyone any offense- no one can deny that a ton of people participate in rush- but come on!
Bottom line: don't feel any pressure to do anything, because there are <em>always</em> people out there who share your likes and dislikes, and at a university so large they're relatively easy to find.</p>

<p>^ I agree. I <em>really</em> felt left out from the pledging experience that some of the guys on my freshman floor had to go through. Like when they had beer dumped over them.</p>

<p>I know a lot of people who went for rush week and quit half way through. But, I know some who enjoyed it, too. It just depends on the person.</p>

<p>Girls who are masochists might find rush fun. It sucks on both ends, which is why I elected myself as hot chocolate girl. But, seriously, I think you need a better reason than not wanting to miss out on your friends' thuper-fun stories for rushing.</p>

<p>Dear Bitter Upperclassmen,
Please stop spoiling all of the excitement of greek life for us prefroshes. We know bars are better and that depending on whether you are a guy or a girl, pledging/rushing sucks.
Thanks,
DaFunk</p>

<p>ps. Can we bring this thread back?</p>

<p>pps. Ok, so what's the best part of going greek?
What are the best collegetown bars?
What is the most fun thing you did your freshman year?</p>

<p>For me, the best part about going Greek was that the campus becomes a lot smaller for you. Cornell has a lot of students and is a really big school, so it can first be very overwhelming. While there are a lot of students, at the same time, sometimes it is hard to make friends outside of your dorm/ floor after the first few weeks. You meet a lot of people, whether through rush, your individual House, or mixers (though most of these relationships don't extend pass a head nod on the sidewalks). Since I recognize more faces and know lots more people, Cornell is a much smaller and friendlier place to me.
I did a lot of amazing things freshman year. Second semester was pretty much dominated by pledging, which is a pretty unique experience in itself. First semester, I watched the Dalai Lama, Sandra Day O'Connor, and Stephen Colbert speak, went to a Yo La Tengo and Broken Social Scene concert, attended various Poetry Slams, and went to my very first Rocky Horror Picture Show at Risley.
For people who don't want to go Greek and don't like drinking, there are almost always cultural festivals and performances happening around campus...though, you have to be willing to shell out $5+ dollars at each one.
Overall, Cornell is an amazing place with a lot of social outlets.
Greek life isn't for everyone. Many people regret rushing, while many people who wouldn't have imagined rushing before coming to Cornell find their place in a house that is right for them. Regardless, rushing for girls and pledging for guys, should be a personal decision, not one you make to 'fit in' or 'share stories'.</p>

<p>DaFunk--
So, what's the best part of going greek?
Like PuzzleChampion mentioned the best part of going greek is that it makes the campus a lot smaller. You will see friends at mixers and open parties . The people you take to your formals will most likely be greek too. Even if friends join different houses they still stay in touch for the most part. During pledging you will also become very close to your pledge class (if you're a guy) and if you're a girl you will become very close to a group of girls in your pledge class (its impossible to be close to the whole pledge class of 40). I would definitely recommend that everyone participate in rush week. During Oreintation week all the fraternities will be throwing open parties at their annexes in collegetown so thats a good time to meet brothers and see how you like the chapter.</p>

<p>What are the best collegetown bars?
There are about 8 bars in Collegetown-- Ruloffs, Johnny O's, The Palms, Dinos, Dunbars, Pixel, Level B are the legitimate bars. Stellas, The Nines, and Chapter House (grad student oriented) are the others.</p>

<p>Ruloffs- pretty popular bar; not very clubby or dancy; people just chill and drink downstairs; trivia night is pretty popular. A lot of people start their night here and end it at another bar.</p>

<p>Johnny O'S- very popular bar; very Greek-oriented. You will find a lot of people from Greek houses here. Good music and a lot of girls dancing on tables. It fills up around 12:15PM and then a line starts to form. My personal favorite.</p>

<p>The Palms- really random music selection. This place gets packed at 12:15PM just like Johnny O's. chill and enjoyable place where you'll run into people you know.</p>

<p>Dino's- dance oriented bar on some nights. chill place.</p>

<p>Dunbar's- run-down bar; popular on wednesday and thursday nights for their extremely cheap drinks. Free popcorn as well. Not hard to get into with a decent ID. Many people start their night here then go elsewhere.</p>

<p>Level B- the closest thing to a club at Cornell; a lot of hip-hop and dance music. Lounges to sit in. Fishbowl drinks are really cool.</p>

<p>What is the most fun thing you did your freshman year?
Orientation week is amazing because its your first time free and on your own and you get ridiculously drunk for free and meet a ton of people. Formals and mixers during second semester are really fun too (this isn't only freshman year though). And lastly, Slope Day is the most fun you will ever have at Cornell most likely.</p>

<p>ABC and CTB also serve alcohol until last call.</p>

<p>any more questions?</p>