<p>I searched the internet high and low for days and all I could locate were old articles (some more than 10 years old!) or some vague poems some people wrote, but no VERY RECENT (like 2010 - 2011) information on just what type of student each of the eating clubs attracts. Some posters on here say to “just ask” for more information, but so far, either my requests have gone unanswered (violins anyone?) or people give very generalistic replies. Now, I GET that maybe all clubs - bickers and sign-ins alike, perhaps accept all types, and don’t discriminate (or at least not in any obvious way), but clearly some students are more attracted to one club then another. Can someone PLEASE point me to a site or video that is current, and specific, (the more detailed, the better) to give a prospective student or freshman a better idea? I hear terms float around like “boaters and floaters”, “athletes” and “druggies”, but are these Seriously the main types that join certain clubs? What if a student (male) was a math/physics type - very brilliant, but NOT stereotypically quirky or geeky, (and Caucasion - not Asian), semi-athletic - but not on a college team - more “intramurally athletic” meaning they’d be active in Intramural sports like tennis, soccer, ping-pong, etc. but not a top athlete, NOT at all into drugs, drinking alcohol, or smoking (in fact fairly “anti” all those things), who likes to dance at a party, but not drink, and is on the more quiet side, though friendly, not shy - (you know the person who is a better listener than talker - so in another words someone who would make an ideal friend once you got to know them, but NOT the life of a party) – based on this description, is there ANY club that might be suitable for them? And would their religion matter? If Christian, what club is best? If Jewish, what club is best? Thanks!!</p>
<p>There really isn’t a ton of information available about the specifics of eating clubs online. You’ll have all of freshman year and half of sophomore year to figure out which (if any) eating club is right for you, so I wouldn’t really worry about it right now. During the first semester of sophomore year, all of the clubs will have sophomore events and dinners, so you’ll be able to try out the different clubs and see which one you like the best and feel the most comfortable at. But I’ll try to tell you a little about the clubs which I have spent some time at. </p>
<p>Colonial - There are a lot of asians and somewhat nerdy people. There’s a group of people who are very into intramural sports. Some of the people are somewhat big partiers, but there have been times when the library and computer lab were full while there was an open bar going on downstairs. I think the food is really good. (This is the club I’m in, so I know more about it than the others.)</p>
<p>Charter - A lot of engineers are in this club (it’s far away from most of campus, but right next to the e-quad). The band also traditionally joins Charter. They have very good food. Not a lot of people go there to party on Saturdays, but they’re known for Charter Fridays (Friday isn’t a big party night here), where they often have live music. </p>
<p>Terrace - Terrace is the alternative / hippy / artsy club. There are cool murals on the walls and lots of live music. Terrace is the main destination to hang out and talk with friends after a night of dancing, and gets crowded as the other clubs empty out. A good amount of the members do smoke pot. The food at Terrace is great if you’re vegetarian. </p>
<p>Probably from what you’ve said, either Colonial or Charter would be your best match, but a big part of the decision of which club to join (if any) depends on what your friends are doing.</p>
<p>stlkarategal, Wow - thanks very much. I noticed quite a few people viewed my post but you are the only one who responded! (so far) - which tells me likely others were interested to see the answer(s) also. Thanks for the honest description. That’s exactly the type of info I was seeking. But isn’t there about 10 clubs or so? If anyone else has any info on the other ones (or even elaboration on the ones you mentioned), please chime in!</p>
<p>I can’t understand how you think that learning more about stereotypes will help you decide which, if any, eating club you’ll want to join. Part of growth and learning is getting beyond stereotypes and experiencing and discerning things for yourself.</p>
<p>You’ll have nearly two years of exposure to Princeton life before making this decision, and you’ll make it based on who you are then, who your friends are, and your OWN personal experiences with the different clubs.</p>
<p>Your self description sounds similar to my son. He found the club that’s right for him. You will, too.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Hi Sherpa, sorry if my question, or rather its intent, was slightly misunderstood - and thanks for commenting. But I was asking for a student who will very likely be deciding this coming year between Princeton, MIT, and Harvard. (Please no one comment or ask how we could possibly know this - nothing is 100% fact, but just go with this as a hypothetically likely scenario). And from an academic stdpt, all schools are phenomenal. Few could argue the academic merits of any of them. So the decision will come down to social aspects, eating options, stuff like the “culture” of the campus that is more subjective, but will help distinguish, and no one can argue that Eating Clubs at Princeton can and might be a large part of the college experience for many of the students there. So, we are trying to assess even the possibility of fitting in. For ex, I went to a college known for “work hard, party hard” but the party hard part was the ONLY social option a few years back, and that was NOT a good fit for me as I didn’t drink or do drugs. I wish I understood back then the value of understanding the Social aspects of a campus - not just the academic ones (which my college had an abundance was) - but that did NOT make for a very happy 4 yr experience - really, quite a miserable one. Hence, why we are trying to understand the “culture” if you will - or the “reputations” of the various clubs.</p>
<p>By the way, the word “stereotypes” might not have been the best chosen word - since it carries a negative connotation. I meant to ask “what is the reputation and/or culture of each club”? and to deny that one exists is like denying that frats don’t each have their different identities. Whether it’s right or wrong, or ideal or not, I believe the Eating clubs DO have distinct identities - I am simply trying to learn what each of them are. No more, no less.</p>
<p>It’s pretty difficult to gauge the actual culture of each club other than from what’s visible on Thursday and Saturday (and occasionally other) nights. Normally what is considered as a club’s reputation is what distinguishes it from the other clubs. It’s very possible that the Street will see a sizeable shakeup in the near future with the reinstatement of Cannon Club, so this may be outdated a year from now. I’ll hit the ones stlkarategal didn’t talk about. Bicker clubs are marked with an asterisk.</p>
<p>Cannon<em>: TBD, but given the composition of the bicker committee, there will be a lot of athletes.
Cap and Gown</em>: Home of the track team, lots of club sport athletes (especially soccer), and some fraternities and sororities. Known for being rather laid back and chill, especially compared to other bicker clubs.
Cloister: This is the “floaters and boaters” club, where most of the upperclass rowers and swimmers are members. From what I can tell, they really like to party.
Cottage<em>: consists mostly of varsity athletes (football, basketball, soccer, baseball, lacrosse), and is known for its comparatively southern feel.
Ivy</em>: Known originally for being the most snobby and elitist of the bunch since it was the first club (see Woodrow Wilson) and they have waiters at dinner. It has a rich, northern preppy reputation. Home of a few varsity teams (squash, fencing, maybe others), some dance/a cappella groups, and some frats/srats.
Quadrangle: Easily the smallest club on the Street. They hold Lawnparties because they agree to go off tap, but that’s the only time most people will go there. More Quad members have shared meal plans (which allows residential college membership and club membership simultaneously) than at any other club.
Tiger Inn<em>: Where the water polo and wrestling teams and several frats/srats are. Has a reputation as a sort of animal house. It’s a common joke that the food is bad because they spend all their money on beer.
Tower</em>: Many different crowds spend their time here, from theater/a cappella to student government to newspaper to Woody Woo to debate, but nearly everyone is heavily involved in something (or somethings) that takes up a lot of non-academic time.</p>
<p>This is by no means perfect or even close, and comes with no firsthand knowledge of what actually goes on during the 160 hours a week when the clubs are off tap. And of course the associations from groups to clubs is not strict in the least.</p>
<p>Fightthetide… thanks! 
“srats” means what? Sorority? Question for you (or whoever can answer) - you (Fightthetide) brought up a very interesting point, in terms of what takes place the other 160 hrs in the week. My viewpt from a compete Outsider is that the key part of a club is the people it’s made up of, and that the activities, facilities associated with, food, etc. are sort of an “offshoot” of it’s members - though I suppose over time, there is overlap. What I mean by that is that if a club was known for having the absolute best food, sure, “foodies” would come in greater droves to that house, but mainly I think someone should focus on selecting a club where the PEOPLE will be the best fit.</p>
<p>So in general, my question is this - let’s say someone was NOT a partier - in other words, really wants nothing to do with the drinking (or drugs) scene - can tolerate a decent band or dance, but does not seek out a boisterous, drunk crowd with ear splitting music on their Thursday or Saturday nights, preferring instead to say, take in a movie or comedy show, or to play a round of poker or Risk with some friends - or just hang around a foosball or ping-pong table to kill a few hours. Would this personality/preferred social life profile make it so such a person would Not be well advised to join an eating club OR as you alluded to - do these “parties” consist of mainly Thurs - Sat. nights, and how do the REST of the activities/people in the various clubs differ? I mean, if a student sought camaraderie in general (to FIND those friends to go to a show with, or play a game with), and wished to have the convenience of a place to study, to eat at during the day (instead of eating at the dorms) and where there would be little stress on “finding someone to eat WITH” (which yes, can be quite stressful for some, especially those without a set clique of friends), and also COULD have a perpetual invite to parties at the club(s) only if they were a club member, would the clubs be a good thing?? Or do people drink/party 24/7 at these clubs? I’ve heard people say they didn’t join as they weren’t “partiers” but correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t that only one aspect of the clubs? And one which can be easily avoided? OR IS THERE PRESSURE FROM OTHER CLUB MEMBERS TO “SHOW” AT THESE PARTIES? Like fraternities often make them, are any club functions Mandatory? Lastly, if someone is a member of one club, is it easier to be invited to events at the other clubs than if one were a non-member? Thanks for any answers!!</p>
<p>I don’t really know what goes on to most of the clubs outside of thursday and saturday nights, because I haven’t really been to them (besides a few dinners during sophomore year), but I’ll tell you about Colonial. </p>
<p>There definitely are Colonial members who do not drink or drink hardly at all, and some people who very rarely go to Colonial to party. However, there are a lot of other things to do at Colonial - we sometimes go there to watch a movie, play pool, play DDR, or play boardgames (sometimes we even do this while there’s a party going on downstairs). There are study breaks every week with lots of food (sushi, chinese food, pizza, white castle, etc). There is a ton going on that doesn’t have to do with drinking. I’d imagine other clubs are similar. </p>
<p>The only issue with not drinking is that you have to be okay with the fact that a portion of the money you are paying is being spent on alcohol. </p>
<p>There are no club functions that are mandatory. It’s easier to be invited to events at other clubs if you have friends at those clubs. For example, I have a few close friends in Terrace, and so I will often go to Terrace events that are members + 1. The people is definitely the most important part.</p>
<p>Thanks stlkarategal - that was super helpful. Btw, what is the ratio or % of guys/girls at most of the clubs? (or only at Colonial if that’s what you are most familiar with?) Do some of the clubs attract more or mostly guys, or more or mostly girls?</p>
<p>lifelearner, from your description of yourself (or your friend, who is ostensibly like yourself, but perhaps hails from a different religious background?), you should, like one of the posters above, consider Charter, Colonial, and also Quadrangle. All three of these have a fair amount of Christian people. Evangelicals are fairly well-represented in all three, but in addition, (white/Hispanic) Catholics congregate in Charter, Asians go towards Colonial, and blacks gravitate towards Quadrangle. </p>
<p>The most Jewish club is Tower. It is a bicker club, but it is the least party-hard of any bicker club, and is perhaps less party-hard than one of the sign-ins (Cloister). The people here are motivated by performance arts, campus publications, social justice, and their own resumes.</p>
<p>Now to answer some of your other questions:</p>
<p>1) “Can someone PLEASE point me to a site or video that is current, and specific, (the more detailed, the better) to give a prospective student or freshman a better idea?” </p>
<p>There is no such site. The University’s materials on the clubs are totally pasteurized. </p>
<p>2) “what is the ratio or % of guys/girls at most of the clubs?”</p>
<p>If there is an imbalance anywhere, it is virtually unnoticeable. </p>
<p>3) “Would this personality/preferred social life profile make it so such a person would Not be well advised to join an eating club OR as you alluded to - do these “parties” consist of mainly Thurs - Sat. nights”</p>
<p>No, there are definitely clubs for this personality type. As I said above, Charter, Colonial, and Quadrangle would all be good bets. Yes, parties are mostly Thurs-Sat nights. </p>
<p>4) “how do the REST of the activities/people in the various clubs differ?”</p>
<p>All the clubs basically hold the same types of events, i.e., “do” the same things. The main differences lie in a) the kind of people you do these things with, and b) the kind of events that are well-attended at each club. </p>
<p>5) “I mean, if a student sought camaraderie in general (to FIND those friends to go to a show with, or play a game with), and wished to have the convenience of a place to study, to eat at during the day (instead of eating at the dorms) and where there would be little stress on “finding someone to eat WITH” (which yes, can be quite stressful for some, especially those without a set clique of friends), and also COULD have a perpetual invite to parties at the club(s) only if they were a club member, would the clubs be a good thing??”</p>
<p>The things you’re seeking, as listed above, are a very large part of the reason people join eating clubs, so yes, the clubs would be a good thing. Absent a desire for partying hard and/or social status, the list above makes someone an absolutely perfect candidate for a sign-in club. One of the best things about being a club member is the ability to sit down at any table with any group of people without those people looking askance at you.</p>
<p>6) “Or do people drink/party 24/7 at these clubs? I’ve heard people say they didn’t join as they weren’t “partiers” but correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t that only one aspect of the clubs? And one which can be easily avoided?”</p>
<p>No, people do not party 24/7 at these clubs. No club is on-tap (open for parties) more than three nights a week, and even then, the alcohol only flows for 3-4 hours. So yes, parties are easily avoided.</p>
<p>7) “IS THERE PRESSURE FROM OTHER CLUB MEMBERS TO “SHOW” AT THESE PARTIES?” </p>
<p>At a bicker club, people just assume you’re going to show up to most (if not all of the events), so the pressure is implicit - that is, people may talk excitedly about such and such an upcoming event and expect you to sound enthusiastic as well. At a sign-in club, there is generally a “core” of dedicated members who organize/show up to all the events, while many other members only show up for special events like formals and winetasting. This core of members tries to verbally persuade other members to show up to more events. However, they’re super-nice about it, and you don’t need to feel bad for turning them down - many other members are sure to demur as well. </p>
<p>8) “Like fraternities often make them, are any club functions Mandatory?”</p>
<p>The only mandatory club functions I know of are [new member] pickups, initiations, and [bickeree] discussions (bicker clubs only). </p>
<p>9) “Lastly, if someone is a member of one club, is it easier to be invited to events at the other clubs than if one were a non-member?”</p>
<p>This is generally untrue, even if it may sometimes appear to be the case. For example, if you’re a member of Ivy, it might seem easier to be invited to events at TI, but this may be due to the fact that members of the same organizations (SAE, Pi Phi, sailing team, etc.) often “split” between Ivy and TI when they’re choosing clubs. Therefore, kids in Ivy are more likely to have friends in TI (and vice versa), and what getting invites to other clubs really comes down to is having friends in those other clubs.</p>
<p>10) “mainly I think someone should focus on selecting a club where the PEOPLE will be the best fit.”</p>
<p>This is absolutely correct, and it is what most students try to do when they pick a club.</p>
<p>At least for colonial they made a point to tell us that pick ups and initiations were not mandatory… although pretty much everyone participated (and it’s a sign in club, so no bicker stuff).</p>
<p>Also keep in mind that the eating clubs can change on a dime. Over time some have closed, merged with other clubs, and have even been “taken over” … for example two teams of athletes one year a long time ago conspired to collectively sign in at a club that was unpopular at the time but had a great building. They effectively changed the entire character of that club for several years. I just checked and now it’s actually known to be the club for an entirely different set of students.</p>
<p>All I’m saying is that it’s kind of pointless to figure out what you want to do until you’re a sophomore and see where your friends are going.</p>