<p>So you may have seen me posting over and over (and over) again on this thread a while back about what it's like to be a northerner at UGA. I'm from Massachusetts and I would love to go south for college, and so I applied to UGA and U of South Carolina. All the replies on that thread assured me that the fact that I'm from up north would not be a problem at all! But still I'm a little bit iffy about how much I'd fit in at UGA because of other differences about me. I am a strong liberal, I am Jewish, and I am not much of a partier.</p>
<p>I know that UGA is known for its big party rep, but since the school is so large, I figured that if I were to enroll, I'd be able to find friends who are like me who also just like to hang back sometimes/who don't go over the top with the partying. Am I wrong to assume this? I hope I'm not, because I feel as if UGA is academically much better than USC, but USC also appears to be much more diverse, and I feel as if socially it may be a better fit. I do want the whole package though, because I want to be challenged in college.</p>
<p>I guess my question is -- would finding a place to fit in at UGA be too difficult for me or would I feel accepted there? All honesty would be appreciated - good or bad! I just don't want to go so far from home only to find that I am incapable of making my college a comfortable, new home. Thanks everyone :)</p>
<p>In the almost three years I’ve been here, I’ve probably been to no more than 5 or 6 parties/downtown outings (and of those, I’ve only drank once). There are plenty of people who don’t go to parties, who don’t drink, and who think game nights are much more fun than getting drunk. I’m too much of a worry wart to be able to go out all the time and drink. What if I got caught? I’m premed. My whole career would probably be shot down the drain. The one time I drank (and got drunk) started at a friend’s place for her birthday and moved downtown. But that’s beside the point…</p>
<p>You’ll meet a lot of people that party, and you’ll probably live around a lot of people that party. But believe me…we’re out there!! </p>
<p>As for being Jewish, I believe Hillel over here is very active ([Hillel</a> at UGA - Hillel at University of Georgia - Campus Center for Jewish Life](<a href=“http://hillelatuga.org/]Hillel”>http://hillelatuga.org/)). As a strong liberal…do you like debating? We have two literary societies that probably would love your opinion. Being from the south, a lot of people are going to be politically conservative. However, being a college campus, people are going to be more liberal. But I definitely wouldn’t say we’re a liberal college.</p>
<p>I would look into participating in a Dawg Camp or doing that freshman summer program. It’ll be easier to find friends that way, especially since you’re coming out of state. I would definitely recommend the freshman summer program. It’ll give you a feel of the school with fewer people there, and you’ll probably make some good friends at the same time.</p>
<p>Hey kaylala,
Have you checked out Emory? It’s very strong academically, quite diverse and near some cool, little eclectic neighborhoods. (Little Five Points, Midtown…) There are also many international students there. Since you’re not a big partier, I really think you should check this out. It’s within a 1 1/2 hour drive from UGA, if that matters.
Although, we are not Jewish and moved here from Michigan, my husband and I both had friends and went to school with many Jewish kids. (my schools had Jewish Holidays off…etc) So, I get what you’re saying.</p>
<p>kaylala I totally understand you. I just moved here in Georgia a year ago, so I’m not all that “Southern”… and I’ve also been thinking whether or not I could find people who are like me: chill, somewhat introverted, study-hard, don’t plan on partying much. I like to just hang out with a couple of close friends. When I visited UGA a couple of months ago, however, I found a lot of people who were just sitting on a bench alone, working on their homework and stuff; they didn’t seem too much of a party person… so kaylala I’m SURE you’ll be fine. UGA isn’t all that racially diverse (though it’s been improving!), but I mean… like you said, there are SO many people that it shouldn’t be too much of a problem finding good friends.
I applied and got accepted, even though I NEVER saw myself going there… but now after putting these factors into consideration, I decided (last night, actually coincidence) that maybe UGA would be a pretty good option. It’s becoming more prestigious year after year!</p>
<p>Hi kaylala,
I’m a current freshman at the University of Georgia and I know exactly what you’re talking about. Before I came to this school, I was worried about UGA’s reputation of being a “party school.” While downtown IS extremely popular on the weekends, there are a lot of people who don’t go out to drink to have fun. I don’t drink myself, and I lived in MA for the majority of my life. Anyway, UGA has hundreds of clubs and organizations, many of them being liberal-minded. I’m sure that it won’t be hard for you to find your niche here.</p>
<p>Ps. Unless you’re the type that makes a sorority your life, don’t live in Brumby.</p>
<p>I’m almost in your same situation. I’m a high school senior right now and moved to Augusta GA bout a year and a half ago, June 2008. I’m also very liberal and even though I like to party, I try not to TOO much. I’ve almost made my decision to go to UGA, but I’m still waiting on some other admissions/scholarships decisions. Because it is such a big school, there’s pretty much something for everybody. I think that you should go, because hey the more liberals the better =P</p>
<p>Wow, thanks everyone for the response! I appreciate it! It’s just so difficult for me because all I can go by for now is what I read online, and that stuff can be very skewed or biased. So this helped - thanks again! I’m keeping UGA as a major possibility. And mevans414, what you said about observing other people around campus really made me realize how important it is for me to visit before I cross UGA off the list. I’ll definitely talk to my parents about this ASAP Will you definitely be enrolling?</p>
<p>I totally get you. I’ve been driving myself kind of crazy trying to find things about UGA online that would be good/bad… such as College Confidential.
Yeah, if I didn’t visit UGA, I’m not sure whether I would’ve applied there at all Well keep in mind that I visited on a Friday, so maybe a lot of the partiers were out already… maybe? I hope not. Like I said before, there were a LOT of people in the library studying quietly (oh, I saw one girl there who was sitting alone on the floor at the VERY corner of the room), a person lying on the grass completely alone in front of everybody like a weirdo (:]), introverts reading alone outside… and all that really encouraged me because I myself am might also be what they call a “social outcast” and I’m not the only one! hahahaha. and it totally changed my perspective, because I was so caught up with the PARTY PARTY PARTY side of UGA. I mean I’m sure the party side dominates the campus, but I just remind myself of all the normal-ness (haha) that I saw when I visited. So I’d say you should definitely visit before you make any decisions!
I haven’t made my decision yet, but I’m around 80% sure I’ll go there… and to fulfill my other 20%, I think I’ll visit again on Feb. 15 for the accepted student orientation thingy I’m definitely not proud to say that I might be a DAWG, but hey… I want the education.</p>
<p>I’m so happy I found this thread. I’ve lived in metro Atlanta since I was in first grade. I’m now a senior in high school, and UGA is looking like my best option, especially since I got admitted into the Honors Program. I’ve been really nervous about the party school label that UGA has, considering I’m not in to that stuff at all, so all this has really helped. I’m also worried about what I’ve heard about everyone being “clones” of each other at UGA - wearing the same stuff, acting the same, etc. Is this just a rumor (like I hope it is)?</p>
<p>First, congrats on your acceptance to UGA and especially to the Honors Program. I hope you are very pleased and very proud of your accomplishments.
As to your question, I can’t help but wonder if you already visited UGA. If not, I think a day spent walking around there will show you that it is not a bunch of “clones,” but actually a very large and diverse student body with all kinds of people. I think someone like your self-description would happily find many kindred spirits in Myers Hall, the honors dorm. Overall, it takes all kinds, and UGA has 'em all! Best of luck, whatever you choose for college.</p>
<p>Yeah Kayla! I am a freshmen in the honors program and I would like to congratulate you on your acceptance to UGA. UGA is such a wonderful school and I know you will love it here</p>
<p>Like Merkur said, Myers is a great dorm! I am living there this year and going to return next year. The people are all nice and you can find all kinds of people that live here. We are all serious about our work, but we also love to have fun. I consider it the best of both worlds because when I need to study, there are a lot of study rooms. When I feel like hanging out with friends there are several people willing to watch movies/play the paino/ play boardgames/ and anything else. It’s very chill :D</p>
<p>Trust me, you will feel right at home here at UGA. There are so many people here from so many different backgrounds. I thought that I would feel lost with so many people, but I have found so many friends that I know will last a lifetime :)</p>
<p>Thanks to both of you! I had a feeling it was a rumor, but I just wanted to make sure. As next year gets closer, I’m getting more and more excited about UGA! I’ve heard so many great things about the Honors Program and I’m really excited to be a part of it.</p>
<p>I was reading through this thread and it has made me feel a ton better about UGA! I got accepted just recently and as of now, I am attending there (not 100%, still waiting on some schools).
Still, I am very nervous, naturally. I am out of state, so I’ll know nobody. I’m from Ohio, but my parents are moving to Atlanta with my dad’s job (why I started looking at uga in the first place).
I do not plan on partying either. I don’t plan on drinking at all (honestly, I find it a bit repulsive, no offense to anyone). I am also a HUGE dork. Like huge. Band geek and all.
I’m really shy and “socially-awkward” until you get to know me, so I’m scared about making friends.
But anywho (whole point of this post…), its fantastic to see people similar to me. :]</p>
<p>UGA has a niche for every type student imaginable! Strong and smart Jewish population. Reform Temple in town. No membership charge for students, Hillel, and a town orthodox shul.</p>
<p>Several Jewish student in Honors , Ramsey, and Foundation Fellows. YOu will be in great company (My son starts Fall 2010-we’re Jewish.)</p>
<p>aw MgraceF i’m so happy that people like you are going to UGA! seriously, it’s really comforting to see all these posts by people who don’t seem to fit the stereotypical descriptions of a UGA student :)</p>
coincidence) that maybe UGA would be a pretty good option. It’s becoming more prestigious year after year!</p>
Anyway, UGA has hundreds of clubs and organizations, many of them being liberal-minded. I’m sure that it won’t be hard for you to find your niche here.</p>
and I’m not the only one! hahahaha. and it totally changed my perspective, because I was so caught up with the PARTY PARTY PARTY side of UGA. I mean I’m sure the party side dominates the campus, but I just remind myself of all the normal-ness (haha) that I saw when I visited. So I’d say you should definitely visit before you make any decisions!