OP again. Thanks a lot for the feedback. Anybody have particular experience with Kenyon's or Davidson's social scenes? They have the advantage of being closer than the New England schools.

I think that basically all social events are Greek related at Bucknell.

Duke has a balanced Greek presence. Many students are in greek life but there are no chapter houses, the fraternities and sorrorities are integrated into regular on campus dorms. There's plenty of people that choose not to be a part of greek life there too.

At W & M there are plenty of students who are quiet and don't like to party.

What about Bowdoin, Middlebury or Wesleyan? Either have no Greek life, or only a pseudo-Greek social house system that isn't a major factor. Most of the places you listed actually have a pretty pervasive Greek scene.

We looked at most of those schools. My impression is that Davidson, Bucknell and Colgate are pretty Greek oriented. Hamilton, Kenyon are not. At both Hamilton and Kenyon there are no houses anymore, and they seemed pretty innocuous. Plus I think at both there were more co-ed frats, so not the same as typical greek like.

Greek Life is not as important in schools where students have easy access to big city venues. That said, the 21 year drinking age has boosted Greek Life even where it once was not popular.

My DD sounds similar to yours. She ended up at Brandeis and loves it. Brandeis too, does not support the Greek system because they view it as exclusionary. However, there are several unofficial Greek houses off campus, but it’s not an issue if you don’t join.

There are many Catholic schools with little or no Greek life, but they are Catholic schools, which may not be your cup of tea.

I can only speak to the Bucknell experience, which is HUGELY Greek-influenced. And there's not much else to do in Lewisburg.

In my opinion, the best schools that have a Greek life but aren't dominated by it are the big schools - the Greek scene has a place, but there are so many other social options that opting out isn't a big deal.

Notre Dame does not have any Greek system at all, but there is intense loyalty to one's residence halls, competitions b/w residence halls, etc. so this is a bit of a flavor of the comraderie/community-building you may find in a low-key Greek system, but they do consider an official Greek system to be "against the Catholic character." Just mentioning this in case this may appeal to you or your DC.

William and Mary

Villanova

If he is looking at Kenyon, I recommend also looking at Denison University. There are Greeks but no one lives in houses (a big thing for your child to consider) and it is more of just a social thing. There are very few exclusive parties (and the ones that are usually end up not being exclusive after awhile or ending early), there is a lot of volunteer work and fundraising with the Greeks, but for the most part, no one really cares if you are in or not. I graduated there in 2008 and started out in a sorority (was a good way for a shy person to make friends) and quit my junior year because I was involved in a lot more activities. Out of all my close friends, only 2 of them were also in my sorority. The rest were in others or not at all. I know a lot of people who have a similar make up of friends.

That said, any college that has Greek Life is going to have one or two of THOSE sororities and fraternities. But likely your kid wouldn't be friends with those people anyways.

DC would prefer no or few Greeks, a SLAC where Greek life is not the centerpiece of social life. DC is quiet and not a partier. We are looking at several schools that have some Greeks and wonder if they would nonetheless be a good fit. Can someone with kids at these schools who did not pledge say if your DCs are happy with their social experience: Davidson, Kenyon, W&M, Bucknell, Hamilton, Colgate? Appreciate Any other suggestions as well. yes I saw the recent thread about Greek life, but it didn't talk about specific schools (at least as far as I read). Thanks!