<p>I am wanting to spend a semester in the USA on an exchange program (i'm from Australia). </p>
<p>I do not care for what I study (these will be my elective units) and I do not care about how prestigious the institution is / how good it looks on a resume (as the degree will still be from my home university). </p>
<p>I am looking for the university that is the best in terms of SOCIAL LIFE.</p>
<p>My university has exchange partnerships will the following American colleges:
- University of Texas at Austin
- University of Miami
- Oregon State University
- University of Texas at El Paso
- University of New York at New Paltz
- Pace University
- Clarkson University
- California State University, Sacramento
- San Diego State University
- San Francisco State University
- University of Arizona</p>
<p>Which one of these would you recommend (in terms of social life)?</p>
<p>You will probably want to rule out UTEP and Cal State Sacramento.
When you say that your main criterion is “social life”, do you mean that you want lots of parties? Or is a live music scene important to you? The beach?</p>
<p>All of them have a social life to some degree. I think U of Miami would be a good choice. It has sun, hot weather, beaches close by and I’m sure a lot of parties and fun.</p>
<p>The best answer will depend on how you define “best social life”. Each school has its own personality, but do you prefer: huge crowds at football games; lounging on the beach with friends; drinking weekends starting Thursday afternoon; Greek life; huge numbers of clubs and extra curriculars; or something else entirely.</p>
<p>I assume you are familiar with the climate differences between University of Arizona (hot, arid desert), Oregon State (temperate but rainy), and Clarkson (lots of snow during winter). These differences definitely impact the social life as well.</p>
Why would that be?
I would have thought the lead up to summer would be the best.</p>
<p>
Good point.
I am looking for crowds at basketball or football games, big parties, open and social dorm rooms. I imagine that visiting for only one semester, I probably shouldn’t be looking into any of the Greek life?</p>
<p>
Vaguely.
I don’t think a particular climate would discourage me from visiting an area, but how would you say snow would impact the social life?</p>
<p>If you are over 21, you should definitely go to University of Texas at Austin during the spring semester. Austin is a great town and in march it hosts a fabulous music festival called SXSW or South by Southwest. There is also film and interactive media at the festival. The festival lasts 10 days or so and has the coolest bands from all around the world and tons of parties sponsored by various companies. The town becomes one giant party. Tons of celebrities there, if that interests you. It is expensive to get an unlimited badge for the events but I believe that many students serve as volunteers and get a free badge in return. And, if you are resourceful and think far enough ahead, perhaps you could get an australian newspaper or magazine to allow you to cover the event, which would allow you to apply for press credentials and get priority access to all of the shows. There are literally hundreds of shows during this time and it truly would be a highlight of your stay in the US. Austin is generally known for its music scene and is considered to be a very hip city that is much different than the stereotypes about Texas. Miami would also be fun.</p>