Top ten party schools

[Red November]

Ten Schools That Party the Heartiest

 

Some students choose a college strictly for its academic attributes, while others are prone to pick a school on the basis of its reputation for revelry. Some institutions even manage to offer equal servings of both. Here's what students have to say about ten schools known for their high party quotients:

 

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1. State University of New York at Albany

Nearly everyone at Albany tells us that because "campus life is pretty boring around these parts," the bars are the place to be, even for underclassmen. The location is so crucial to social life that, by junior year, many students "move downtown by the bars." Many students warn that "Albany is a good school, but the partying can take over your normal good student. You have to be mature to learn to balance both." The harsh winters don't help social situations. "The severe blizzards and coldness make Albany a very tough place to live."

2. Washington and Lee University

"Picture this: You are standing in a sweaty frat basement ... listening to a jam band out of Alabama that you've never heard of in your life, while mingling with soon-to-be investment bankers wearing bright pink polo shirts with pastel madras shorts and Wallabies--and you're loving every minute of it." Sound good? That's not everyone's ideal party experience, but it can be for anyone who wants it, students assure us. "The Greek system is the defining characteristic of life at this school," according to students. "One's social life is very limited if not involved with the Greek system," most students agree, pointing out that hometown Lexington "is not exactly a Mecca of 18- to 22-year-old activity."

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3. University of Wisconsin--Madison

Political activism is a cornerstone of Madison life. And when students aren't protesting, there's "lots of partying, but also lots of studying," writes a freshman. Wisconsin's reputation as a party school has diminished in the past few years, and one senior says, "The alcohol scene is over-hyped--there's other stuff to do." That "stuff" includes "plays, concerts, an overwhelming number of organizations on campus," and Badger sporting events. The city of Madison is widely considered the ultimate college town, with a senior bragging that "State Street compares to Bourbon Street on weekend nights."

4. West Virginia University

If you are looking for a party, you needn't look too far at WVU, since, as one student tells us, "There is a party every night at this school. It would be hard to get bored here unless you locked yourself in a room like a hermit." In an effort to offer an alternative to the never-ending party scene, the University instituted WVUp All Night, an alcohol-free event offered every Thursday through Saturday night. Some students see the program as an unqualified success. One such student writes, "I think Up All Night is one of the best things that WVU ever did! It gives a fun alternative to the bars."

5. Ohio University--Athens

"Ohio University is the perfect mixture of business with pleasure," students tell us, adding, "We get the work done on the weekdays so we can party hard on the weekends." Most agree that OU is "a rip-roaring good-time party school." Much of OU social life involves the "19 bars along a two-block stretch of the main drag in town. Each bar has its own personality, and people can always be found at their favorite, so it is easy to meet up with acquaintances because they will probably always be at the same bar." Of course, you have to be 21 to get into a bar, so "for the first two years you're here, house parties rule." The exceptions are the Homecoming and Halloween events, both of which are huge, well-loved celebrations.

 

6. Florida State University

Most students at Florida State are "very involved in all aspects of campus life--in student organizations, Greek life, Senate, student unions, and major related organizations." Several clear dividing lines do separate students, however. One is Greek life, which is "huge, and people are always wearing their shirts and bags with their letters." The other is geographic. One student adds, "There are the North Florida types: very casual, wear jeans and collared shirts with hats; and then there are South Florida types: more trendy, often wear gel in their hair. Most students fit in with one of those two groups."

7. The University of Texas--Austin

The throngs of people make for plenty of activity at UT Austin. Among the many social scenes on campus, perhaps the biggest group of all is the one comprising football fanatics. "Mighty Longhorn football has a cult following," even "for students who aren't really interested in sports." Greek life also thrives at the university. Students call the surrounding city of Austin--which claims to be the "live music capital of the world"--a "huge selling point" for the school. Famous Sixth Street comprises "a mile-long strip with nothing but bars," many featuring performances by local and national bands.

8. University of Georgia

"Going downtown is a must" at UGA, since downtown Athens is, according to students, "hands-down the world's best college town, whether you go to the bars or not. The music scene is awesome, the restaurants are fantastic and unique, and, of course, the bars are the place to be on weekends and Thursday nights." As one student puts it, "There's a saying in Georgia: 'If you lead a good life and say your prayers, when you die you'll go to Athens.'" Students are devoted football fans and even more ardent tailgaters. Before games, "UGA football suspends open container laws and turns Athens into Mardi Gras." The Greek scene and Dawgs After Dark, the University's late Friday night programming, round out the campus social scene.

9. University of Colorado--Boulder

Students come to CU for the peerless quality of life, and by nearly all accounts, that's exactly what they get. The key to it all is "location, location, location." The city of Boulder offers "an endless amount of things to do. From concerts to coffee shops, movies to lecturers, or shopping to parties, as well as just about every sport or outdoor activity, you'll never have an excuse to be bored."

10. University of Mississippi

You should know that "people either really like Ole Miss or really hate Ole Miss. It is a Greek-oriented school, and if you aren't that type of person, or an athlete, you probably won't like the school." Football is the alpha and omega of fall semester; on game day "the Grove, a 15-acre park in the center of campus, is packed with tents. Under each tent, friends and family gather to eat and drink. Some people bring candelabras, white linen, and fine china. This is without doubt the greatest tradition in college football; it's Mississippi Mardi Gras." The Greeks, who claim one-third of the student body, are integral to the action. "On game nights fraternities have big parties at their houses." Students tell us that Ole Miss is "a huge party school."