<p>Do non-drinkers fit in on campus? What kinds of activities are available on weekends on and off campus? The party school reputation concerns my daughter and me but the academics and beauty of USC seem amazing. Honest answers from current students appreciated.....this will likely be an issue wherever she goes because I can't think of a single college that doesn't have a party school reputation any more!</p>
<p>Yes…my non-drinker has lots of similar friends, plus the ones who may drink but don’t party all the time. And there’s plenty of things to do at a school this size so it’s not like on any given night you’re in the dorm with nothing to do because everyone else is out drinking.D has a good group that would go out once a week for beach music night just for the dancing. They also go to the rec center and get together with each other. There are free/cheap first run movies at RH, two different rec centers for exercise and classes, and lots of different student groups…faith based groups are very active in the university and there should be something for everyone. Sadly, I don’t think it’s easy to find a college campus without drinking, but in spite of partying tag I still think there is a lot for non-drinkers to do.</p>
<p>Thanks for the helpful response!</p>
<p>As an in-state resident, the party school ranking is really baffling. Locally, I’ve always been told that CofC is the Party School. (No idea if it’s any worse or better than USC in reality.)</p>
<p>Anyways, I grew up Baptist. I don’t drink at all. It doesn’t appeal to me. I made plenty of friends who don’t drink. I have some who do but it doesn’t stop us from being friends and I’ve never been forced to drink at a party or anything.</p>
<p>I’ve been to on-campus parties in Thornwell, the quads, etc (the apartments) where there’s been tons of drinking and I just politely refused and no one said anything. Heck, I was at a party once and beer pong was set-up. I got invited to play and they just didn’t drink that round.</p>
<p>I’ve been to off-campus parties and also politely refused. So if your daughter wants to go to parties, it’s no big deal. Most will understand as long as she just says “No thank you” and doesn’t go on about how drinking is bad or she doesn’t drink or whatever. (I’m always really careful to just keep it simple so that the ones offering don’t get offended.)</p>
<p>Me and my friends like to go to the Strom (play racquetball, ping pong, etc), get coffee at Cool Beans, go see movies at Russell, hang out at each other’s places, go shopping, and other stuff. I rarely get bored and I really just don’t party. Your daughter will find plenty of others who are in a similar boat.</p>
<p>Also, if your daughter is religious (don’t know if the drinking is attached to that), there are plenty of on-campus groups that have tons of socialization opportunities.</p>
<p>Great advice…</p>