I’m 95% I will be attending CU Boulder next Fall, but I’m starting to worry about finding my group of people there. It is a huge party school, and while I like to party every now and then, I would rather focus on other things, like school and other activities. It seems like the social life mostly revolves around Greek life, and I don’t plan on rushing. I know that is a huge school and I will probably find my group, but even in the Facebook group it seems like all of the kids are the same: rich white kids and crazy partiers. I guess I just want to know:
•Does social life revolve around Greek Life?
•Is it hard to attend parties if you aren’t a part of Greek Life?
•Am I going to have trouble finding friends if I’m not a huge partier?
Are you a guy or a girl? also are you an incoming freshman? I can give you a super detailed answer, but those factors definitely play a role in some of the questions you mentioned
I am an incoming freshman and I am a guy. I am also a huge skiier, and like to do pretty much anything outdoors. I am excited to join the ski club but I still feel like a lot of the kids are the same at CU
My DS is 95% sure he will be attending CU- finally taking a tour today. We are by no means ‘rich’ nor is he a crazy partier. He also likes to ski (out there for spring break now skiing) so hopefully there are more like you two going to this school. As a mom, I sure hope so!
Essentially all (let’s say most to be safe) large state Us will have tons of kids across the party spectrum ranging from all out party animals to never partiers. State Us are by design a melting pot (within the state anyway) so not finding your tribe would likely be caused by not putting in the effort to find your tribe.
I don’t know anything about CU other than it’s beautiful (have driven through a few times). But I do know there will be literally thousands of kids in greek life and thousands outside of greek life (and that’s not to say the two groups don’t intermingle). Just be open to meeting people, join clubs of interest, maybe a club you never previously considered and you’ll be fine.
Look back a yr from now and let us know how you’re doing.
My D is a junior at CU this year and loves it. She always tells me that there are so many different groups there so you totally will be able to find your people. There will always be the party people at every large state school - no getting around that. And my guess is those are the key people on the FB page as well. We know someone who was on the ski team and loved it - a great social outlet. Boulder is full out people who enjoy the outdoors. Some of those people like to party, and some don’t. It will be the same at every school.
And for a reference - my D wasn’t a party-person when she started. Now she definitely goes out a lot more, but knows when to stay grounded. Boulder is a huge school - you will definitely find your people.
@Salemlaxmom My DS is attending in the fall and is not a crazy partier, loves to ski (fly fish/hike) - I think there will be plenty of kids for them to hang with.
There are free concerts on Tuesdays at Grusin Hall, which are fun to attend.
The Conference on World Affairs happens every year, third week of April, free to students. https://www.colorado.edu/cwa/
There are journalists, activists, scientists, musicians who speak at the Conference on World Affairs.
Boulder has a lot to do. I don’t think Greek life dominates the campus. You can learn a new sport like rock climbing
and get good at it. Most students do go to football games at least once ! You will get to see a live Buffalo
being lead around the field. Its a varsity sport at CU to lead that buffalo around.
CU Boulder is big enough that you will find your people. CU is homogeneous and there is a lot of wealth, but there are also a ton of welcoming, open minded people doing all kinds of different things. Outdoor activities—hiking, climbing, biking, tubing—are a great way to connect with others. House parties and nights out on Pearl Street or in Denver are part of the social scene but there doesn’t seem to be any judgment around how often one does or doesn’t go out.
When I attended many moons ago, I fell in with the Ski & Snowboard Club (I think the club is still running strong) and skied a few times a week with them. I went out nearly every weekend. Fast forward and D14 found her people through residential council and the performing arts. She rarely parties but has a tight group of friends that she attends concerts with. There is a lot to do at CU and in Boulder. Go and have a great time.