Um.... no surprise here. UW-Madison #2 in Partying

[pojo]

Madison usually is in a class of its own for partying! Students go down to State St. between classes to enjoy a few...State St. is the hub of all Campus Parties!

MSN (23 Sept 2003)

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:

1. University of Colorado at Boulder
Students love living in Boulder because "it is full of great restaurants, movie theaters, and shops. So if you can't keep yourself busy with CU concerts, intramural sports, or student groups, there's still plenty to do." For lovers of the outdoors, CU Boulder offers many recreational opportunities: "The outdoor activities are endless--hiking, biking, skiing." But according to a journalism major, "The coolest thing about this place [is that] even when everything is getting you down, you can go out and have an awesome night."

2. University of Wisconsin at Madison
Madison undergrads report an active, but not overwhelming, party scene on campus. In fact, Wisconsin's reputation as a party school has diminished in the past few years. One student writes, "Yes, people party at Madison. There are some that do nothing but, and some who never do. Most, however, find a balance between parties and the thriving cultural scene Madison offers... The greatest thing about Madison is that whatever you're interested in, someone else is, too."

3. Indiana University--Bloomington
Students appreciate the near-limitless academic opportunities at Indiana University, but a good party--or basketball game--define the IU experience for many. Student complaints center on the town of Bloomington, which may inspire some of the partying. One student observes, "Sometimes it seems all there is to do is party, because Bloomington is such a small town."

4. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Many Illini tell us that they "did not know it before coming here, but the U of I is a huge party school." The campus is "very Greek; it seems like everyone is in a fraternity or sorority." One typical student writes, "There’s not much to do in the cornfields of Champaign-Urbana [sic], but...[m]ost people go out on weekends, to the bars, house/apartment parties, and after-hours parties at fraternities. During the week, many people go out as well. The weekend definitely starts on Thursday, though."

5. Washington and Lee University
The W&L social universe revolves around the Greek scene. Comments one student, "We have the greatest fraternity scene in the country. Period." Because "fraternity parties are open to everyone, except for special functions," W&L suffers less from Greek/independent antagonism than do many other Greek-dominated campuses.

6. University of Texas--Austin
No longer the nation's best kept secret, the city of Austin offers almost everything a college student needs for extracurricular bliss: museums, theaters, restaurants, bookstores, and one of America's most vibrant bar/live music scenes. Points out one student, "All Austin needs is a beach." Another says, "In a city like Austin, there is no need to hang around campus all the time." Fraternities and sororities are also very popular, but the school is large enough and offers enough in the way of activities that a student could have a full social life without ever attending a frat event.

7. University of the South
Greek life is alive and kicking in Sewanee, with close to 90 percent of students involved in sororities and fraternities. One junior qualifies this number, however, commenting, "60 percent of them aren't typical Greeks." Tell that to a freshman who writes, "Fun apparently means getting wasted and regurgitating your daddy's tuition money in the basement of a fraternity house. Sign me up!" Those who remain unaffiliated still attend the open parties--"pretty much the entire school goes to them every weekend"--but most agree that "independents are in limbo." A senior woman observes, "If you aren't a drinker, your social life will suffer" because there is virtually "no social alternative to frats."

8. DePauw University
How students feel about social life at DePauw depends primarily on how they feel about the Greek system, which "definitely dominates the social scene." Warns one student, "If you're not into Greek life, don't come here! That's where everything is at here!" For some, "It's fine because it's free beer and a nice place to party. The majority of students stay on campus and hit the four local bars on weekends." Not all students paint such a monochrome picture, though; one student writes, "As an independent, I have no problem staying entertained. DePauw offers a lot of opportunities. Since it is a small school, it is very easy to become involved in all the different activities."

9. St. Bonaventure University
St. Bonaventure was a 13th-century bishop. Translated, his name means, "Oh, good fortune!" If you ask students at St. Bonaventure University, they'll tell you that, when it comes to socializing, it's an apt name indeed. Students here basically "live it up," according to one junior. Well, "Bonaventure is a party school," and while the university is not without its list of organizations and activities, most students prefer to find their own fun at the bars or parties.

10. University of Florida
"What, UF is a school? I thought they were just a football team." So writes one student who pithily sums up many students' reverent attitude toward the Gators' gridiron powerhouse. Students love the men's basketball team, too; in fact, students here just love sports, plain and fancy. When nighttime rolls around, "People go to clubs for fun. There are a lot of raves and keg parties." Also, "the Greek system is extremely popular on campus and they always have stuff going on. It is a good way to meet a ton of people."

[JCT777]

Interesting list. I am surprised to see St. Bonaventure in the top 10. But I guess the name of the school is not indicative of the student behavior.