<p>Greetings, everyone.</p>
<p>I have been thinking about applying to BC, but I have heard a lot lately about how ubiquitous drinking is on and off campus. Could someone confirm, deny, or qualify this? To be honest, I don’t intend to drink a drop of alcohol from matriculation to graduation, and I wouldn’t want to go somewhere where I would feel like an outcast for not ‘participating’.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>It all depends on your group of friends. Some people drink, others don’t. The good thing is there are many things going on (both on and off campus) that don’t involve drinking. I don’t think drinking is worse at BC than it is at other colleges. Most of my friends who go to schools not normally known for drinking seem to do nothing BUT drink there. So, it’s ok if you don’t drink at BC or wherever you end up going, you may just have to find some friends who aren’t interested in drinking either.</p>
<p>Dear johnmilton1 : The question of drinking comes up in regards to every school and the question will appear more often as the number of prospective students increases. Truth be told, Boston College during the 2009-2010 school year spent a great deal of time enforcing more strongly than in previous years the campus regulations regarding party hours, both on and off campus. [Both of my children attending the campus reflected that last year compared to previous experiences.] Hence, yes, Boston College does continue to take the alcohol discussion seriously - not just because it is illegal for under-21s, but more that it is about making good choices during your college career. </p>
<p>Chances are that you will indeed have friends in your four years that will partake in a beer, a vodka, or any other beverage as an 18-to-21 year old. However, it is not a dominant aspect of campus life nor is it absent from the dorms. College life is about choices and detemining where you personally stand on issues. Even more so, Boston College’s Jesuit tradition will force that dialogue with you - perhaps not alcohol specific, but in the general case.</p>
<p>Simple answer : you will not be an outcast for being a non-drinker. However, you should not be surprised if your attitudes or positions change as your college journey continues.</p>