<p>Hey all. I'm transferring to CMU soon. I saw that old thread about social life and dating and the absence there of. Is that true? No real hotspots thereabouts? </p>
<p>I study hard and get good grades, but I like to have some fun too.The thought of being on an island scares me. How do the other kids cope!!!</p>
<p>There are plenty of places for hanging out/meeting people around CMU.</p>
<p>If you're into partying, there are several parties every weekend, and some are open invite, so if you're a new transfer, those might be good to go to.</p>
<p>Improv Comedy-No Parking Players is an improv troop at CMU that performs every couple of weeks on campus, and there is also a group called Friday Night Improv that performs at Pitt some friday nights.</p>
<p>Concerts/Music-I'm a little weak here, but I know people are always heading out to concerts on weekends. You can always catch the bus to the stadiums for the huge stars or catch less-known (but still good) performers in cafes, resteraunts, and clubs within a few miles of campus. If you're into acapella or orchestra, of course the CMU groups can provide you with that.</p>
<p>Movies/Shopping-There are 2 huge malls (Waterfront and Century III) that are less than 45 minutes away by bus. Waterfront is about 20 min, Century III is farther, but indoors, but most go to Waterfront. City buses go there every half hour or so, and CMU runs a late-night shuttle there. Both have all the major names, as well as a few smaller shops. The waterfront is popular for dinner and a movie combos, as the Lowes theater there is new and really nice. There are also several little independent shops at Squirrel Hill, Walnut Street, and the Craig Street area.</p>
<p>Athletics-Well......our soccer team is good, as well as others I'm sure. Probably the most popular form of athletics at CMU is intramurals. These are great because you get to move around a little as well as meet new people. There are 3 classifications from pro to novice, so you don't have to worry about competition being not what you're looking for. </p>
<p>Food-Campus food is mediocre, but there are a lot of resteraunts out and about. I've eaten at a few on Craig Street (a block from campus) and I'd say they were all pretty good. Craig Street, Squirrel Hill (1 mile, 5 min by bus), and Walnut Street are the places to go for food There are also your chain resteraunts, such as PF Chang's and Cheesecake Factory a bus ride away.</p>
<p>Clubs/Activites: CMU of course has a lot of school-sponsored clubs and the like that you can get invoved in. Most are open to new members all year, so you can look around first. There are 2 club fairs each year where all the groups set up booths and try to recruit. These are always a fairly standard way to meet new people. KGB, Asian Students Association, and Crew are fairly large, but there are tons of others, including martial arts, explorers/outdoors, and robotics to name a few. There are also service and religious clubs such as Habitat for Humanity and Hillel JC (Jewish Organization).</p>
<p>Greek Life-Greek Life is present at CMU, but not huge. If you join one, you'll always have plenty to do, but I have heard some complain there are almost too many requirements in their already busy schedules to become a brother or sister. If you don't want to go all the way and pledge greek, there are some "Greek alternatives" clubs, such as Pioneers, that participate in all the Greekish activites (buggy, booth, etc.) without house and letters.</p>
<p>I don't think I missed anything, but if I did, feel free to ask.....</p>
<p>May have something to do with the male : female ratio more than anything else. Like anywhere else, you make your own fun. As prevously mentioned there are no shortage of activities near campus.</p>
<p>Downtown there are three major sports teams, galleries, theater and riding on former railroad rights of way.</p>
<p>Other cool city nieghborhoods within a couple miles are Shadyside, Southside and Squirell Hill.</p>
<p>Schenley Park, abutting campus has miles of walking and jogging trails, monutain bike trails, a nine hole golf course, frisbee golf, an ice skating rink, and free movies on Flagstaff Hill (in season.)</p>
<p>You will not be "on an island". How far you venture from your room is up to you...</p>