Can a non party person have a successful time at Iowa?

joecollegedad · 11-09-2007, 05:52 PM

I see that Princeton Review named U Iowa as the number 1 party school in the nation in 07 and a top school where students do not spend a lot of time studying.

My daughter likes to study and does not like to party: will she fit in at Iowa, or should we keep looking?

We were initially attracted to Iowa becuase of my D's interest in English and Psych, and music. Also her mom earned her masters there in the 80s and liked it.

helpmegetin! · 01-21-2008, 04:35 PM

i hope so...im kind of in the same boat as your daughter....

jnm123 · 02-13-2008, 08:54 AM

Joe College Dad---

To those who think that nobody studies in Iowa City, they should talk to my daughter, who is a Pre-Med junior, is studying her brains out yet having a great time & pulling good grades.

Certainly that party atmosphere, especially during the football season, is tempting and many freshman fall prey to it, resulting in sub-standard GPA's for the fall semester.

But it's all about balance. If they haven't learned that separation by the time they get to college, they'll learn right quick in Iowa City or will be going home at break. The university is not that difficult to be admitted to, but hard to stay in & ace. You've got to do the work, period.

Don't go by the stereotypes either, that dormies study all the time and fraternities & sororities constantly party. My daughter's sorority has the top-ranked GPA for Greeks on campus.

Maybe I'm biased because wife & I both attended Iowa as well (way back when), but I can't think of a better atmosphere for personal growth & education during those crucial years.

EconProf · 09-28-2008, 12:46 PM

The party life varies a lot by dorm. If she qualifies for honors, choose the honors dorm (Daum). The level of academic engagement is much higher, and the level of partying is much lower, in Daum. The Learning Communities are also a good choice.

There are many opportunities for good students; however, the student has to find them. On the bright side, administrators are willing to talk to students and the University has a commitment to connecting with students and getting students to connect with faculty, staff and other students.

IowaGirl · 10-26-2008, 07:58 PM

There are plenty of people who don't party at Iowa. Iowa is not #1 for partying or for students who don't study. Weeknights and weekends, at any coffee shop you go or lounge, library etc you will see it is packed.