Poll: American Universities

[Holy_Handgrenade]

I'm english and currently looking at where to go for university and I fancied the idea of american universities. I know I may be niave because nothing is percieved exactly true in popular culture but is american university like it's stereo-type partying, drinking and fraternities?

 

[BoosterGold]

I'll be honest, there are certain universites , I'm assuming you mean the United States because thats what I know, That are all about partying most aren't. You can find all this on line as far as the reputation of certain universites and colleges

 

[Matt_LRR]

Are you talking Ivy Leage, or state colleges, because they're portrayed rather differently.

-m

 

[PeePantz]

Typically, if you're into the stereo typical college partying, then the answer is yes. At larger universities, there will be something for everyone. If you want to go "balls to the wall", you'll be able to find it. If you want to hang out and chat about geology with some kids, you'll probably find that too. The booze, however, will be easier to find.

 

[Eumersian]

Some universities, yes. Take UMass Amherst. It ain't called ZooMass for nothin'. The reason they're presented that way in popular culture is because it's funnier and more interesting.

 

[Teh_Lemon]

There are party schools, and there are... not quite party schools. They all vary.

OH! And then there are the really really CRAPPY schools that look worse on your record than failing high school. But those are VERY few and VERY VERY VERY far between. (I happen to know one lol.)


...but most of them are great, I promise

 

[Ensiferum]

I'm english and currently looking at where to go for university and I fancied the idea of american universities. I know I may be niave because nothing is percieved exactly true in popular culture but is american university like it's stereo-type partying, drinking and fraternities?

It depends on the university. At Temple University (where I attend) there isn't very much of that compared to other universities, aka "party schools."

 

[Snork Maiden]

I'm english and currently looking at where to go for university and I fancied the idea of american universities. I know I may be niave because nothing is percieved exactly true in popular culture but is american university like it's stereo-type partying, drinking and fraternities?

To be honest thats pretty much exactly how I perceived university to be in this country.

 

[TomLikesGuitar]

I went to V-Tech for a while and partied my ass off... just do some research on a specific school; each one's different.

 

[spartan231490]

I'm english and currently looking at where to go for university and I fancied the idea of american universities. I know I may be niave because nothing is percieved exactly true in popular culture but is american university like it's stereo-type partying, drinking and fraternities?

As someone who goes to an american university, it can be like that. In the town with my college, there are prolly 5 bars and twice as many frat houses and almost as many sororities. But like anything else, it's a choice. I don't party and rarely even drink, i just chill with my friends and play video games.

 

[TheUnstoppableRobman]

Many American Universities are party schools however there are plenty, usually smaller schools that aren't so wild.

 

[Neofishie]

With a large university, no matter how prestigious, there will always be a contingent of the population that wants to spend weekends drinking as much alcohol as possible.

The real trick is to find a school that has a good reputation for the degree you are interested in.

 

[Imp Poster]

I am not sure if you heard the news but they are raising tuition here like crazy especially in California. How expensive is univeristy over there?

 

[Naheal]

They're often exaggerated in media.

 

[Holy_Handgrenade]

I'm english and currently looking at where to go for university and I fancied the idea of american universities. I know I may be niave because nothing is percieved exactly true in popular culture but is american university like it's stereo-type ?

I just want to get something straight - do you want to go for the 'partying, drinking and fraternities'? Because if you do, then believing stereotypes might not be the only reason you're naive.

Otherwise, the ones portrayed are most likely exaggerated, and based on bad ones. If you really want to go abroad, you should be looking at Harvard, MIT, etc - not the ones that people go to because they're local.

Idealy I don't want it to serious I want to be able to have a good time at the weekend. I was wondering what they are like due to I am looking at either Oxford or Cambridge to go to in england but they just seem a bit to uptight and I also don't want to join one knowing nothing about it.

 

[TheTim]

there's not a whole lot of fraternities, but there is parties all the time, especially at asu

 

[Holy_Handgrenade]

Are you talking Ivy Leage, or state colleges, because they're portrayed rather differently.

-m

The universities I am most likely to apply for are one of the Ivy leagues.
More specificaly it would be either Harvard or Yale I will be applying for.

 

[Cheery Lunatic]

Austin = Freaking party town. (To answer your question, some of them really are)
UT, baby. The actual college is pretty good too.

edit: Crap, nvm. You want Ivy.

 

[Nickolai77]

For a potential Oxbridge candidate i'm surprised you're even asking this question. I don't attend an American university so i carn't really say, but it's safe to assume that attending an American univerity isn't going to be like Animal House. Wherever you go, they'll be a student party scene, i imagine the biggest party scenes can be found in the urban areas.

Also, make sure you can afford to go to an American university, they cost a bomb.

I am not sure if you heard the news but they are raising tuition here like crazy especially in California. How expensive is univeristy over there?

Currently about £3000 per annum, being raised to £9000 PA in the next few years.