<p>I am thinking about applying to Williams next year and I love almost everything about. The only thing that discourages me is that I've heard there's a reasonably prominent drinking culture which I don't really want. Is the drinking culture really a big part of Williams life or is it just over-exaggerated? </p>
<p>My impression as the parent of a Williams alum is that Williams’ reputation as an out of control drinking destination is much exaggerated. I would agree that there’s a prominent sports culture, an outdoorsy culture, an extroverted active do-something culture, but I wouldn’t characterize alcohol as the motivating force.</p>
<p>“Drinking culture” is a loaded phrase and different people may have different comfort levels with their classmates’ alcohol (or drug) consumption. Yes, many Williams students drink alcohol. Some drink more than is good for them. Some drink now and then to be sociable. Some don’t touch alcohol at all. The same could be said for students at most U.S. colleges. </p>
<p>There’s plenty to do on campus when you’re not in classes. Some activities involve alcohol; some do not. (It helps to like to do something that involves snow.) If you choose not to drink, you won’t be ostracized or lonely. </p>
<p>Williams like all LACs has a distinct personality and there are many reasons to apply or not to apply, but I wouldn’t consider fear of an overwhelming emphasis on alcohol abuse to be one of them.</p>
<p>At Williams, this question is influenced a lot by which first-year entry one is placed in. Some entries end up being a lot more alcohol soaked than others, largely influenced by the Junior Advisors. JAs run the range from non-drinkers to hardcore partiers. It can be a problem initially if you are placed in an entry which emphasizes drinking. If you are okay being around drunken people but don’t want to drink yourself this is less of a problem. </p>
<p>I disagree, electronblue–My D was placed in an entry which now, graduating, she has never had much to do with. Her friends were formed elsewhere. Your entry is a nice way to get to know people but if you don’t fit in with them, it’s not destiny. My D is not a big drinker. There is however a fair amount of drinking at Williams; but I can’t tell how it compares to a Big Ten university or even an Ivy. It is small here and more contained, so it might be more noticeable. </p>
<p>There are definitely parties for non-drinkers, gamers, cardplayers, you name it. You can find your niche if you don’t like to be in big drunken parties for sure.</p>
<p>Fair enough, but your daughter was both smart to get out of her entry when she realized early on they weren’t for her, and lucky to have found her place elsewhere. It can be a struggle for some kids. I was just trying to make the point that at least at the start of one’s time at Williams it could be uncomfortable for a non-drinker to be placed in an entry where the JAs encourage drinking vs one where they don’t. Thus, the experience may vary for an individual student more than it might at another school.</p>
<p>My recent graduate daughter is not a big drinker but certainly found a niche for herself. She preferred smaller gathering of friends. It seems the drinking culture is less there than my son’s large university. </p>
<p>Thanks for all the input everyone, I really appreciate it! </p>