<p>Hi,
I've been researching schools and a lot of things about Dartmouth sound absolutely like what I'm looking for- the campus, academics, setting, all sound absolutely wonderful and perfect for me- and I've only ever heard good things about how welcoming and enthusiastic the students are.</p>
<p>But as I've been reading about the social scene at Dartmouth, I'm starting to think that it may not be a good fit for me?
There are all the stereotypes about the partying and such, which, from what I've heard and though there is truth to them to an extent, are exaggerations.</p>
<p>But at the same time, I'm a very shy person, really not into partying or drinking and all that. Also, I wonder if I would not do well in a greek-dominated social scene. I could see benefits from it- it would force me out of my comfort zone, which may be a good thing, but, I don't want to feel out of place or uncomfortable where I choose to go to school.</p>
<p>With all the wonderful qualities that draw me to this school, I rationalize these things by saying that they go on at almost all schools, and I could find a niche where I would fit in here.</p>
<p>But- for people who go/have gone/are planning to go to Dartmouth, do you think I would be unhappy here?</p>
<p>Thanks for your input :) I really hope to learn more about this school</p>
<p>actually, I was exactly like you when I was choosing between schools. I had almost written off dartmouth until I visited it during Dimensions because I wasn’t sure I’d fit in the social scene. I’m more introverted than extroverted, and like you, I don’t drink (because my body doesn’t process alcohol right.) But after visiting, I decided to go to Dartmouth over Williams or other peer institutions (which have 0 frats btw) because I thought I would fit in much more and be more happy. </p>
<p>Strange, huh? </p>
<p>Well what I learned during my visit was that even though the frats do take a large part in the social scene, there’s just so much stuff you can do that is not alcohol-related. There’s so many activity groups you can choose from. And I tend to think that the Greek scene is a bit exaggerated – every house is very open and all the houses are really open to the campus. Also, you don’t have to be a beer-swiller to fit in; I have two friends who attend and they tell me the pressure to drink is practically nil. Actually, every year there’s apparently several “dry” pledges; people who pledge to Greek houses yet who don’t drink at all. </p>
<p>There’s going to be partying and excessive drinking at any college you go to. (Even U of Notre Dame…trust me, haha, I was a prospie there for a weekend.) It’s more a matter of whether you choose to be take part in such activities; just because you don’t drink or party excessively isn’t going to leave you out of the social scene.
Or at least that’s what I felt when I visited. :)</p>
<p>S heading to Dartmouth - not a drinker and no plans to become one. He’s excited about all the outdoor opportunities and great classes. He spent some time with several non-frat groups and while alcohol was available, no one seemed to overindulge. He did not feel the least bit of pressure to drink - it was just there if anyone wanted it. I’m hoping this is indicative of a certain level of maturity that seems to exist among Dartmouth students.</p>
That describes about half (or maybe 2/3rds) of non-Greek organizations. There are quite a few where there is at least some pressure to drink. These groups are usually very self-selecting, though, so it’s not an issue that arises for most people who aren’t already into drinking.</p>
<p>It’s hard to be unhappy about Dartmouth, if you ask me, regardless of how well you fit into the Dartmouth scene. You can’t run away from the rageyness of the school, true, but raging is more or less something you can choose to do. It’s not anything you have to do, at all. Xanatos (a recent alum) has made some posts about the superficiality of the Dartmouth social scene which I think ring true to anyone who’s honest about life at Dartmouth, but it’s not something you have to care about. The cool thing about college is that you’re more or less running your own life, unlike in high school – which means you get to choose the things you want to do.</p>