Reputation for being in the less fun side schools:

MIT, Cal Tech, Rice, Wash U, Emory, Hopkins, Chicago.

That said, I went to Hopkins and there was plenty of fun for those that wanted it. Some kids just wanted to be in the library.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of assumptions about OP and their DD. Anyone have any actual advice?

I don’t but am following because my DD will be the same position next year.

Literally no one did that.

“I think OP is looking for schools…”

UVA and Northeastern

Swarthmore, Haverford, Chicago, MIT. Schools that have a certain “serious student” vibe.

No need to be concerned about any Top 25 National University being a party school. Too many serious students and grad students in addition to a wealth of non-party options. Nonetheless, Tulane University--a Top 50 National University--appears on a few lists as the top party school in the nation.

Small, rural LACs can push one into a party scene due to lack of options both on and off campus. Although a great school academically with strong career advising, Grinnell College in Iowa does have a lot of alcohol & drugs on campus. Colgate has a social scene dominated by Greek life, but Colgate is also strong academically and its graduates seem to do well.

Social options are limited at small, rural, isolated schools so much of the social life centers around parties. But none of the Top 25 LACs (or Top 25 National Universities) are regarded as party schools.

The problem at some large state public universities (not among the Top 25) with regard to partying is that some dorm halls become unpleasant during the weekends due to those who drink too much & make too much noise and get sick in the bathrooms & hallways. Many schools-both large & small--offer substance free housing.

They all have party school elements as well as people who don’t party.

Anonymous wrote:Lots of assumptions about OP and their DD. Anyone have any actual advice?

I don’t but am following because my DD will be the same position next year.

Literally no one did that.

I don’t know if you can outright avoid partying but here are a few schools to consider

Rice is known as more bookish and nerdy. The residential colleges add fun and social events without being a party school.

Notre Dame has hard and fast curfews and gender visitor rules in the dorms.

Not T25 but Tufts would not be considered a big partying school.

Cornell Penn Hopkins Carnegie Mellon are other options.

NYU and USC are big city schools with certain reputations but I know many kids at both schools they have fun but aren’t into massive partying 4 days a week. I actually think the bigger the school the better the chance of finding your niche group. Compared with say Claremont McKenna which is known for pervasive use of drugs and alcohol. Tulane is also known as a big party school.

Lots of assumptions about OP and their DD. Anyone have any actual advice?

I don’t but am following because my DD will be the same position next year.

UVA

Harvard has the ironically named Mass Hall, where the 14 quietist most bookish kids were invited to spend first year in a small dorm above the college President's office

https://colle ge.harvard.edu/student-life/student-stories/my-lucky-draw-living-massachusetts-mass-hall

I think OP is looking for schools the have strict behavior policies and curfews in the dorms, or have off-campus housing in sleepy towns.

Beyond that, choosing not to go to a party is always possible.

Maybe BYU or Falwell's school?

Smaller schools in exurban/rural locations have few distracting people around.

Anonymous wrote:Dc is quieter, more introverted and trying to avoid these. Trying to put together an initial reach list.

All colleges have some aspect of "partying". Why is she trying to avoid these exactly, or are you? I was quiet and introverted and had never had a single drink or even been to a party before attending what was known at the time as a pretty serious party school. I loved it, made alot of friends, joined a sorority, have great memories. Just because someone is introverted doesn't mean they don't want to have fun and just stay in their room 100% of the time alone. Or if the latter, they really should learn how NOT to do that since success in life after college will dictate the ability to socialize and work with other people.

Dc is quieter, more introverted and trying to avoid these. Trying to put together an initial reach list.