how prevalent are drugs/alcohol?

poppingpopcorn
Wed, 12 Dec 2012 19:58:16 +0000

One of the best things about the social scene at Caltech is that there is NO stigma to being a non-drinker. There are some weekend drinkers, and there are some very occaisional drinkers, and there are a LOT of non drinkers. People here are supportive of those who choose to put academics over the party scene, and there are very few students who over do it. But, any college campus has kids who are away from home for the first time, and feeling their way in the world, and will indulge a bit. Most are very restrained, and try alcohol as an experiment, and do so in a controlled manner. Drinking seems to be more of an occaisional way of relaxing than a lifestyle. My friends at UCLA and UCBerkeley talk about MUCH more out of control drinking, slobbery-wastedness, and such than I have ever seen at Caltech.