Question about atmosphere at Dartmouth

morangotango · 02-01-2007, 08:29 PM

ok, so i would really like to hear from some current students or recent alumni on this.
well, i've applied to dartmouth and i'm currently having some doubts about the environment there. i love the school, its programs, etc. but i'm wary of its reputation.
i hear dartmouth is REALLY conservative and that the students there drink like fish.
well, i just happen to be a very liberal girl who doesn't drink at all (this is something that i am NOT going to change).
so would there be room for a straightlaced liberal girl at a (by reputation) conservative party school?

this has been really bothering me, so i would really appreciate a response.
best,
Lo

BigGreenJen · 02-01-2007, 11:55 PM

Ahhh I don't know where Dartmouth gets the rep that it is so conservative. It may be the most conservative of the ivies, but by no means is conservatism a dominating presence. At one point, before Dartmouth went co-ed, it was indeed fairly conservative. But as you know, the entire student body changes every 4 years and there is quite a different set of students now. Over 70% of the student body voted for John Kerry this past election. While there is definitely a conservative presence at Dartmouth, the majority of students are quite liberal.

When the conservative Dartmouth Review caused a stir with its portrayal of minorities and several controversial events occurred on campus concerning minority students, many students spoke out and hundreds of students attended a rally lambasting the recent events.

However, the frat scene, accompanied by lots of alcohol, does play a big part in Dartmouth's social scene. Despite this, I know quite a few people who choose not to imbibe and can still enjoy spending evenings with friends or at the frats sin alchohol. There is almost no pressure to drink at the frats (only a couple don't allow water pong).

Anyway, I definitely think you would have no problem fitting in at Dartmouth.

Idealistic32 · 02-02-2007, 11:43 AM

I guess that's a relief.. I'm pretty much the male version of the OP. I'm very liberal and I don't drink. Ever. I am also a bit wary of the whole frat thing.. My only knowledge of them is what I get from movies, so are they as bad as they seem? Annoying, jockish, cocky, *******-types who think they are better than everyone because Daddy is the CEO of _____ Inc.? That would suck.

ohmadre · 02-02-2007, 12:32 PM

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.

morangotango · 02-02-2007, 12:37 PM

awesome. :-) i'm definitely starting to feel better. i really didn't want this issue to discourage me from dartmouth because i just love it so much!

Idealistic32 · 02-02-2007, 02:46 PM

That does make me feel better as well. Thanks. x)

ConLax11 · 02-02-2007, 02:49 PM

I only want to go to dartmouth because its the most conservative Ivy and seems to value sports and drinking the most (animal house). They are essential parts of college life and I would kill myself before going to Columbia or MIT (if they'd let me in lol). I aspire to be editor of the Review, you seem to decry it like its satan. Oh well, good luck with admissions everyone lol.

Corbett · 02-02-2007, 06:17 PM

If you like Dartmouth, but are unsure about the Greek scene and heavy drinking, you might consider other isolated New England schools like Williams or Middlebury. These LACs have many points of similarity to Dartmouth, are comparably selective, and attract many of the same applicants. However, Williams and Midd have banned frats, and the party scene is fairly tame relative to Dartmouth standards.

bluebayou · 02-02-2007, 06:31 PM

Even w/o frats, Williams, like most rural, NE LACS, has a huge drinking scene.....Williams is also BIG on sports.

morangotango · 02-02-2007, 06:47 PM

i don't mind other people drinking and i don't mind frats. the only thing that worries me is that because i dont drink i'll be excluded or placed under pressure to do so.
from what other posters have stated, it seems like this isnt the case.

orjr · 02-03-2007, 12:50 AM

It's funny you suggest Williams because on CC people say that is a HUGE drinking school. Pick Darmouth if you think there's too much drinking at Williams? Or pick Williams cuz there's too much drinking at Dartmouth?
Which is correct??

slipper1234 · 02-03-2007, 01:01 AM

Dartmouth is definitely not conservative anymore, actually the number I read was over 80% Kerry. I would honestly say that I would really have to think hard to find a friend who voted for bush in the last election. I also am a liberal, not super preppy, not jocky type and I found many many people who were similar. Of course there is a jocky component, but I found that the positive parts of Dartmouth significantly outweighed that side. I think if you let it get to you it can, but I swear for every person like ConLax there are two people on the other side. I personally just didn;t let the jocky conservative side get to me.

The great thing about Dartmouth is that its super friendly and a tight community and I think there really is a place for everyone.

dcd · 02-03-2007, 04:42 AM

Dartmouth isn't conservative. Actual change takes place much faster than change of reputation.

Do the students drink like fish? Yes. Will they look down on you if you don't drink? No. Will you start drinking once you get there? Probably.

Corbett · 02-03-2007, 11:10 AM

Quote:

It's funny you suggest Williams because on CC people say that is a HUGE drinking school. Pick Darmouth if you think there's too much drinking at Williams? Or pick Williams cuz there's too much drinking at Dartmouth?
Which is correct??

Drinking is a traditional recreational activity at practically all of the isolated, snowy colleges in New England and upstate New York. However, it is widely believed that the most excessive behavior is associated with fraternities, and this is one reason why Greek organizations have been eliminated at many of these schools.

In general, schools that still have an active Greek system (such as Dartmouth) offer more opportunities for excessive drinking, and are more attractive to those applicants who are seeking the "Animal House" college experience. In general, schools without Greek systems (such as Williams) have more regulated social environments, and are less likely to attract the heaviest partiers.

slipper1234 · 02-03-2007, 11:44 AM

My experience is slightly to the contrary. Williams is half the size of Dartmouth, which means it has less social options. Dartmouth might have bigger parties but it also has a larger non-party scene. But Corbett is right, drinking occurs everywhere.