<p>D is interested in CMU for its creative writing program but is a little concerned about the social life at CMU. She is not a big partier, but doesn't want to be surrounded by people who spend Saturday nights in their rooms playing computer games. I've heard that the "arty" kids have their own separate social life from the "techy" kids and now wonder where that leaves the HSS kids. I'd love to hear some honest perspectives on this one.</p>
<p>As a CW kid myself, I can say that HSS people tend to have a pretty balanced social life it seems. Most of us will go out sometimes but there are very few who take it to the extreme or are out every weekend. I’ve only been out once so far this year and most of my close friends would prefer to go to Shadyside for sushi over getting wasted at Phi Kap. </p>
<p>The school really is what you make of it. If your daughter wants to party, it will be available to her, but if she doesn’t, then there are plenty of other kids who are in that spectrum who aren’t socially inept losers. HSS is fortunate in that it is the college which traditionally has the least project-based work, so we tend to also have the most free time - which allows for any number of activities.</p>
<p>Your daughter will find a social scene (Maybe even the first night of orientation if she ventures into Pike’s house on Wilkins). CMU is a really really really diverse school and I’m sure it won’t matter if the kids on her floor are “artsy” or “techy”. Students don’t exclude other students because of different majors (Drama is an exception to the rule). I feel that you become really close with your floor and dorm regardless of the mix of “artsy” and “techy” people. Students who never attended CMU send bad vibes on CC about the social scene and college life at CMU. I definitely contributed to some of that which is why this will be my last post. Hope your D picks CMU :)</p>
<p>It’s relatively nerdy, but let’s face it, CMU is still a college, there are still many people do crazy stuff here. Social life at CMU is really what you make of it.</p>
<p>BTW, we just had a flour icecream party at Donner.</p>
<p>I mean, you can avoid parties if you want to and you can get invited to parties if you want to. It really depends on what you choose.</p>
<p>@garage12: the ice cream was delicious. it’s even better when you realize it’s free. :)</p>
<p>Just wait a few months and that free ice cream will turn into the best $50,000 ice cream you’ve ever had. ;)</p>
<p>Ha! :D</p>
<p>At least something there is free.</p>
<p>I admit I didn’t bother reading the other replies to this thread.</p>
<p>Let me just throw in my 2 cents. I just started college at CMU (it’s been 3 weeks). I’m a VERY social person and not a crazy partier. I LOVE IT. I’m in H&SS as well and I’ve already made so many friends. I’ve been to a lot of parties just to see what CMU party’s are like and I was actually surprised… I made some friends in PIKA (a frat) and went to a party that got busted by the cops so you have that as well.
I also went to this jewish frat foam party (no alcohol) and it was somewhat fun.</p>
<p>A lot of organizations have get togethers and party’s (and I don’t just mean lots and lots of booze… but that’s there if you want it). I’ve met a lot of very nice people who’re just like me. Before coming to CMU one of my major concerns was the social life too but honestly I was soooo wrong. CMU is amazing!</p>
<p>Best thing to do is visit and stay over in a sleeping bag weekend if possible. Observe how people have their fun. CMU is very diverse in interests- and a good size not to overwhelm you. Schools are about fit-- and the best way to tell is to visit on a Friday/Saturday or Sunday/Monday-- checking out both the social scene and the academics.</p>
<p>Pika has a "weird’ reputation on campus–that would be nice way to put it.</p>
<p>What’s a foam party?</p>
<p>I think there’s some sort of machine that can pump out massive amounts of foam. They fill up a room with a foot or two of it. Pledges have to clean the mess up (or so I’ve heard).</p>
<p>Just a warning to anyone going to them, I remember a few friends getting water in their cell phones and having them stop working for a while due to the foam.</p>
<p>There are a lot more “bros and hoes” here than I expected–typical suburban preppy/jock “PAAARTTYYY” kids, and the associated ******baggery. There aren’t as many hipsters/alt/indies as I’d hope with such a renowned arts program. The skewed male/female ratio makes parties very sexually charged and competitive, especially between guys, which isn’t much fun.
As for the alcohol/drugs scene, alcohol and weed are in relative abundance, and it isn’t that hard to find ecstasy, psychedelics, and prescription medication (adderall, ritalin, xanax, oxycontin, etc). I haven’t come across anything like heroin or cocaine, which most would consider a good thing. </p>
<p>The social life isn’t as bad as a visit to CMU may seem, the sociable ones are just hidden amongst the sea of social ineptitude. With that said though, it is far from perfect. Fortunately, the University of Pittsburgh is right down the street ;)</p>
<p>If you’re still running the bros & hoes scene, you may want to try getting to know people in Design and DP - their parties tend to be oriented in Shadyside/Sq. Hill/etc and are notorious for being a new brand of wild but not exactly bro material. I think it might be the hipster-ish experience you’re looking for. </p>
<p>Also, stay away from the oxycontin, kids. Just… yeah.</p>
<p>House parties will probably continue to have more bros than usual, largely due to most of the quad being on probation. Add Pika to the list of frats that will likely be on some sort of probation soon due to their orientation parties, and you can expect random bros showing up to a party near you. Oh, and the hoes will likely follow.</p>