Around Town

The Greek life scene is huge here.

If we're being completely honest, frat houses do dominate the social scene at Dartmouth. Almost all sophomores rush, and since there is no nightlife to speak of in the surrounding area, the only place to go out is to the frats. However, there are many different ways to go out, and I haven't experienced any grief for declining to drink. I've actually been shocked by the lack of peer pressure. There are dance parties and other things to go to on weekends, and Collis After Dark makes a huge effort to bring shows and activities to the table for people who don't want to do the frat thing.

While visiting I attended a women's volleyball game against Princeton. Their athletics are very competitive and exciting to watch. There are also many interesting groups and clubs one can join.

There's really only one thing to do: drink. Being in the middle of nowhere helps with that. In addition, rush is a huge deal here; if you're unaffiliated, you're essentially irrelevant. I wouldn't hang out with a typical student ever.

Usually people like to go to frats, or hang out around the various places in hanover, go to the HOP, club activities, etc.

There's always something happening on campus. Whether it be guest speakers, a movie at the hop, a party. There's a lot to do on campus. If you love the outdoors definitely look into the DOC club. Dartmouth also has its own ski slope for the cold winter months. Sports are also year round, and their tailgates are a very popular attraction.

If i'm being honest, Hanover is not the most happening place. So we make our own fun. We have Friday Night Rock concerts every other week. We have some big name performers come in; past acts include Ke$ha and Avicii. But the main attraction on weekends is the Greek Scene. While Many are skeptical about Greek life, as i was coming into school, Dartmouth ensures that it is an inclusive atmosphere. If a frat is throwing a party, they are required by the school to send out an email invitation to EVERY UNDERGRADUATE on campus. The option of whether or not to attend is yours. For freshamn boys, this is especially amazing since this is nearly unheard of at schools where you have to pay to get into parties or maintain a certain ratio of women to men (blech!). There is no pressure to drink. There is pressure however, to let loose and dance the night away. But, even if youre not into the greek scene, The Programming Board provides fun alternative such as mechanical bull riding or laser tage or bowling trips.

Dartmouth is sometimes only known for the frat scene, but that's not all there is to do at the college by far. Through the Programming Board, students have the opportunity to see famous acts like Kesha (2010), Immortal Technique (2011) and Avicii (2012). Dartmouth's students are diverse and so spoken word poets such as Shihan Van Clief (2012) and Taylor Mali (2012), as well as various artists, musicians and comedians often pepper students' choices for entertainment. Club sports are very active, as well as various talented a capella groups, such as The Dartmouth Aires, who won 2nd place in the Voice in 2012. What drew me, however, was the Jewlery studio and woodshop in the basement of the Hopkins Center.

There are lots of activities emailed out to the whole campus every day. There are tons of clubs, recreational and otherwise. Lots of talks and lectures. Lots of hiking opportunities, and we have our own ski way.

EVERYTHING! There is so much stuff to do on campus that you should feel concerned if all you do is sit in your room feeling bored. There are constantly fun events (alcholic AND non-alcoholic) to attend, sports meets to watch, and people all over the place just waiting to pull you into crazy things or conversation. I personally play a lot of sports, but I also enjoy hanging out with my roommate, hosting movie nights and dinner parties, and playing pool with the grad students.