<p>Always hear social life freshman year is tough for guys.<br>
What is it like for freshmen guys at Lafayette.<br>
Can they get into fraternity parties?<br>
Typically, how often do frats have parties open to non-greeks?</p>
<p>Aside from fraternity parties, what else do people do if they're under 21?</p>
<p>If decide to rush/pledge in soph year, what kind of time commitment should be expected? </p>
<p>Thanks for any help!</p>
<p>Per my son, a rising Jr who just pledged a frat last semester:</p>
<p>Freshmen guys can get into frat parties. A lot of frat parties are open to anyone on campus, but sometimes you need to know someone to get in.</p>
<p>If you’re under 21 there’s movies at Farinon, comedians, musicians, open-mic night and stuff at Gilberts. There’s a new place called The Spot which is a college-run nightclub at the base of the hill. He and his friends go to the fitness center to play basketball and racquetball a lot. There’s also playing video games, watching DVDs, and just hanging out in people’s rooms. He says he is rarely bored.</p>
<p>As for rush/pledging, the time commitment depends on which frat you pledge. My son’s pledging time commitment was reasonable (maybe 4 - 6 hours a week for 3 weeks), but others are a lot more. </p>
<p>Hope this is helpful!</p>
<p>To be brutally honest, first semester for freshman guys (that are social) is usually pretty miserable, but it gets much better during the second half of second semester when frats start rush. The time commitment for pledging depends on each fraternity, but it can last up to a semester or as little as a few weeks. </p>
<p>If you’re under 21 and not a part of Greek Life, your opportunities to be social are extremely limited, but there’s always sitting in your room and playing videogames/watching movies-if that’s what you like. </p>
<p>Hopefully, this will improve.
The Spot has not been a very popular place to go in general, but maybe more people will start showing up due to lack of other things to do. </p>
<p>There has been a lot of talk about getting rid of Greek Life completely, but this will probably not happen during your son’s stay.</p>
<p>thanks so much for your comments!</p>
<p>is it that there aren’t many open frat parties, or is it that there are frequent parties, but they have to control numbers…and girls get in, but guys have a harder time?</p>
<p>besides frats, kirby and the dorms, is there anyplace else to just hang out at night with a group of friends…on or off campus? doesn’t seem like many options in area surrounding campus</p>
<p>thanks again</p>
<p>What do you mean by “just hang out”? There are a couple of restaurants on the hill, and some new restaurants near the square downtown. On campus, there’s Gilbert’s cafe. There are dorm lounges and the lounge in Farinon. The college also runs shuttle busses to shopping areas.</p>
<p>For activities, as I mentioned before there’s movies, open-mic nights at Gilberts, lots of other activities sponsored by campus clubs & organizations (from fun fundraisers to speakers, and yes, frat/sorority parties, etc), and the rec center at Kirby gym is very popular. And there’s a lot of intramural and club sports.</p>
<p>Most kids stay plenty busy with ACADEMICS, sports, and joining one or more of the over 200 student clubs and activities. Or don’t join a club, but do take advantage of the events they run.</p>
<p>It is possible to be bored at any college campus, if that’s what you choose. If you go to college expecting the school or the other students to entertain you, you will be disappointed. Go, join, get involved - whether its a frat/sorority, interest group, volunteer group, club or intramural team. I don’t think you’ll have to worry about finding a place for your bored group of friends to hang out!</p>
<p>Freshman year 1st semester, if you’re a girl, around midnight there’s a very good chance you’ll get into a party, especially if you go with a group of other girls. </p>
<hr>
<p>The best restaurants are down the hill (River Grill, Sette Luna, Sogo) and there are a couple next to the campus that are okish. On campus, there’s Gilbert’s and Simon’s (sandwiches). Some people hang out in Farinon, while they’re eating…</p>
<p>Oh and the shuttles that the college “runs” aren’t that often/leave at awkward times, so I’d advise you to make friends with some upperclassmen with cars. </p>
<p>The gym is a popular place. A good chunk of the student body goes there on a really regular basis, I’d say 3-5 times a week (you’ll notice that almost everyone is really fit).</p>
<p>Sometimes there are movies in the theater in Farinon, but not many people go that I have noticed. </p>
<p>I would definitely advise to join Greek Life and different clubs, so you don’t get bored (depending on the demands of your major).</p>