<p>Bowdoin is one of several small prestigious schools located in snowy little towns in isolated corners of New England. Other examples include Dartmouth, Middlebury, Williams, and Colby. All of these schools have historically had a reputation for hard drinking. </p>
<p>However, it is probably true that the rates of alcohol consumption at Midd, Williams, Colby, and Bowdoin have dropped substantially since these schools banned fraternities. The general impression is that these schools are now much tamer, in terms of partying and drinking, than those that still have Greek systems (notably Dartmouth).</p>
<p>I have no doubt that there is still drinking at Bowdoin. But I expect you can avoid it without difficulty if you want to.</p>