| morangotango and Idealistic -
Parent of a junior here who is very like you. She was concerned about all the same things you were but otherwise very attracted to Dartmouth. An overnight visit really helped allay the concerns. If you identify yourself as liberal, you will be among the majority (but the presence of a different point is probably a healthy thing).
My daughter still does not care to drink, does not care for the extent to which some students do drink, has found like-minded friends - male and female, but also good friends who do drink. She feels welcome at fraternities when she cares to go, and finds many other ways to spend her time.
Apparently, you might find a few annoying, jockich, cocky types - and some of them will have wealthy backgrounds, but others will not. For the most part it seems students are generally genuinely friendly, smart and not tolerant of bragging. Friendships are made across ALL spectrums.
Three years into it she is still loving it - more and more for the many opportunities, in and out of the class room setting, and the depth of friendships. |