<p>I've been accepted into UW's music program and I must say I love it there. Most of the people I've met there have been wonderful, and the music program has been so personal and accomodating. Plus, the campus is gorgeous and Madison is a wonderful place to be. Everything seemed to fit perfectly for me.
But then again, as you all know, Madison has this reputation...
And I am not one to indulge in such things... It would be spectacular if I could go through school without ever having to be awakend at 3 am because of a drunk friend, or people needing pregnancy tests after forgetting where they were the night before... (I only mention these things because they almost seem to happen at least once a month with my friends...) Basically, I'm wondering if the drinking/party scene is even avoidable at UW, or will I just be left behind, or isolated, etc? It seems like such a huge part of the culture there. Any current students or prospects have a similar issue? Thanks for the input...</p>
<p>Yes. it is avoidable. UW is a huge school; 40,000 grad and undergrad students. In a school this size is is not difficult to find a group that you feel comfortable with. There is at least one substance free space in a dorm. See: <a href="http://www.housing.wisc.edu/witte/%5B/url%5D">http://www.housing.wisc.edu/witte/</a></p>
<p>On the other hand--it IS a little freewheeling,</p>
<p><a href="http://www.madisonslutfest.com/%5B/url%5D">http://www.madisonslutfest.com/</a></p>
<p>Missed it. I'm in NovA this weekend.
BTW, the ice on the lakes finally melted last week.</p>
<p>I saw that (webcam) winter to summer in a week. Trees already greening up (early). Global warming is underrated.</p>
<p>It's quite lovely on campus; somewhat cooler than NoVA and a week or two behind on flowers.</p>
<p>Yeah, Madison is turning out to be all nice again, and the drinking scene isn't a problem at all if you got good friends who are responsible.</p>
<p>you can avoid the scene, because I do just that and I'm still fine and happy with my life.
Granted, you can't control what people do outside your window at 3 in the morning, and you can't control the people throwing up in the bathroom. However, this is the case at nearly all colleges. My friends at good private schools in different parts of the country report the same thing (drunk people creating a disturbance).
But you can control the people you hang around, and you can choose your friends. Choose them wisely. </p>
<p>Also know that must of it goes on during the fall because (a) it's football season and (b) the year is young, and especially the freshmen are, well, fresh. But the time now rolls around, many people are sick of getting dead drunk every weekend.</p>