For freshmen, the sub-free dorms tend to be mixed between kids who don't want to drink, and kids whose parents forced them into a sub-free dorm. Similarly with substance-free housing, I'm pretty sure there isn't much of a community in the sub-free dorms. I don't know if East Wheelock has much of a community that persists past freshman year, though. I think the people who enjoy socializing in East Wheelock are the type who never go out, though - there are definitely people who live there and do go out, but they are a definite minority there. And there is no pressure to drink either - the question is more whether you will enjoy the environment of a Greek house, and a decent majority of Dartmouth students clearly do.Įast Wheelock definitely has a negative stigma attached to it, although it's nothing like the silly drama of high school. As you may be able to tell, the Greek scene here is a lot more inclusive than it is at other schools, which is nice. Having said all that, a lot of people who come to Dartmouth never think they'll pledge a house, and they wind up doing so.

On my foreign study program in London I had a lot of fun getting hammered with students from both Dartmouth and other schools, because it was a lot more enjoyable for me than standing around in a basement trying to talk over loud music or playing drinking games (not that those are never fun). Personally, I like drinking, but I do not like the culture surrounding Greek houses. (Wednesdays are when Greek houses meet - even if you aren't in a house, you'll probably enjoy going out on those nights because post-meetings there'll be a lot of people hanging around the various houses anyway, and lots of leftover booze.) At a lot of schools, it's hard to find something happening after midnight or 1am, but as long as it's one of those big nights, MWFS (and sometimes even if it isn't), you can usually step into a Greek house and get something to drink and/or find someone to hang out with. (In non-econ terms, most Dartmouth students may drink, but the drinking is more intensive than it is elsewhere.)įor instance, the big nights to drink at Dartmouth are Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. The Dartmouth difference lies on the intensive margin, not the extensive. Yeah, that's not really something one can avoid. The D has a huge staff, the DOC's people are all very outdoorsy.I'd mention athletics too, but those are often stereotypically associated with the Greeks. The Dartmouth Outing Club as well as The Dartmouth (the student newspaper) are I think two of the biggest cores for social interaction outside the Greek system. I can tell you about the niches I've found - which mostly center around playing cards, room parties, and some of the less mainstream Greek houses - but that wouldn't necessarily be representative of what people do besides fratting. It's possible to find a social niche outside of that, but it's by no means easy - and because those are niches, it's hard for me to generalize about them.

I think Dartmouth is great, but I think sadly a lot of people here really do mainly relax by hanging out in a basement 2 to 4 nights a week. I wouldn't say it's the only thing you can do, but it's the main thing. The administration has a very uneasy relationship with the frats/drinking, but you're right - the school as a community is quite Greek-oriented. I am concerned that if I attend the school I will have trouble finding other people there whose idea of fun is not sitting in a dirty frat basement 4 nights a week getting hammered.Ĭan anyone speak to this? Is there really other stuff to do there? Everyone says there are other things to do, but what else do people do at dartmouth other than drink and study? And if there is other stuff to do, how many people actually seek these other opportunities out?Īny info would be greatly appreciated, I am extremely conflicted in my decision. I am not opposed to drinking, though I don't drink myself, but what bothers me is that the drinking culture there is embraced, even encouraged by the school. I attended dimensions and frat parties were going on, and while there was other things to do, it seemed that most of the people there simply went to the frats. But I am extremely hesitant to commit to the school because of the crazy frat life/drinking culture. I was accepted to Dartmouth, and I love nearly everything about the school: good academics, great research opportunities, the outdoor club, great sense of community etc.

Dartmouth social scene