Will I fit in at Sewanee?

neonorange · 11-02-2009, 05:21 PM

Hey there!

I recently visited the Sewanee campus after doing some research and pondering about it for a while. I ended up falling in love with the aesthetics and the academics definitely seem to be challenging enough. However, there are certain things I'm worried about, and I was wondering if anyone here could answer them for me. I recently moved to the South from Nebraska in Summer 2008. I've heard that the campus is in a rural Southern community, and there is not much to do but drink. I'm definitely not an alcohol or drugs person. So, one of the things I'm really worried about is fitting in. Is drinking such a big part of campus life that I won't be able to have fun? I know that someone else posted the same question, but I also have something else to add. The university is very expensive, and I know that they have a limited number of very generous merit scholarships. But are these scholarships extremely hard to get?

Thanks!

sandstone · 11-04-2009, 02:30 PM

This question and the other recent questions on this site are really asking a similar question: what is the social life at Sewanee like? As a parent I'm sure I don't have perfect information, but my thoughts are as follows---first, Sewanee is a challenging school academically, even for students from good schools and with good test scores. Not surprisingly then you will spend most of your time preparing for or attending class and labs. Nothing terribly unusual but the outside of class reading and writing responsibilities are significant. Second, Sewanee the college and the community are almost indistinguishable. Unlike other schools were faculty and administrators melt away into the surrounding communities, you will live, study, work and play with and around faculty and administrators as well as other students. Many find this one of the more appealing aspects of Sewanee. Third, Sewanee is a very social place. The folks there like to entertain and be entertained. And the active social scene extends beyond the students to the parents as I can attest from a recent parent's weekend. Fourth, although the university sponsors events throughout the year, the social scene is primarily driven by the students and their organizations which include but aren't limited to greek organizations. There just isn't an option to retreat to an off campus bar scene. Your social life will center around the places that students congregate on campus. Fifth, there are many social outlets that have nothing to do with drinking. These include athletics (a high percentage of students are involved in athletics), organizations that focus on the environment or outdoor programs as well as the usual compliment of college organizations and the special programs that are run through the chaplain's office at All Saints Chapel for those who want a service or religious experence outside the classroom. So, all in all, I think Sewanee would be a tough place to attend college if you can't tolerate students who drink. The close community may also mean that you would have a harder time avoiding those who drink. But if your question is more a long the lines of is there a social life for students outside of drinking then my answer is definitely yes.

neonorange · 11-06-2009, 09:20 PM

Thank you so much! I really appreciate everything you said :-), I'm still planning on applying regardless of the drinking scene. I guess I just needed that final push.

Thanks again!

bella094 · 11-30-2009, 01:08 PM

hello,
i have been reaserching alot about sewanee and i would like to vist the college. the campus is beautiful i have a major question about it though? is it a good academic school and is there alot of partiing or anything?

peace.love.happy · 12-01-2009, 10:25 PM

It's probably not a good school for you. I have talked to several current students and alum, and all have said the drinking and partying is HUGE. It does have good academics. But if you don't like partying and drinking, you probably want fit in. No problem with keeping your options open then! Good luck.

And about the merit scholarships- what are your scores?

neonorange · 12-05-2009, 06:48 PM

To bella094, the school is absolutely GORGEOUS. Everything is pristine, clean, and of course the architecture will put you in awe. Also, I went in the fall, so it was so pretty with all the changing colors, it really is a beautiful mountain it is on. So, I would strongly suggest visiting. It is in GOOD academic standing, definitely. According to the U.S. News and World Report, it is ranked as the 36th best liberal arts college in the country, which is definitely something to brag about. However, the alcohol problem doesn't have to affect you, your experience is what you make it after all.

Hope that helps! :-D

TheDomainIsHome · 12-15-2009, 09:04 PM

peace.love.happy, I have to disagree with you. I am a current student at Sewanee, and although drinking is definitely the preferred weekend pastime for most students here, there is a group of us that prefer to stay sober. Someone who chooses to either abstain from drinking altogether or to drink responsibly would still fit in here. At first it seemed like there wasn't much else to do on Friday and Saturday nights, but I quickly learned otherwise. There are always other sub-free people to hang out with, you just have to find them. =]

amazonmom · 01-11-2010, 07:28 PM

My D is waiting to hear from Sewanee (Jan.28). She is definitely not a drinker and would not lilke to be around a bunch of weekend drunks. What type of weekend activities are available for students like her and TheDomainIs Home?