Ohio University-Main Campus Top Questions

Ohio University is considered the #1 party school, however, this stereotype doesn't seem to fit this school any more than other schools.

All we do is party, Any school is a party school if you make it one.

The stereotype of students at Ohio University is that we are only about partying. While we do like to have fun with our free time we do not consider partying our top priority. Yes we are ranked as the number one party school in the country but we also have very established and well-known programs for many different majors. I am in the business school and I know for a fact that the business program here is committed to giving you real world experience and preparing you for life after college. People that are in my classes work diligently on their school work and don't let the partying image effect their schoolwork. Yes we do like to have fun on weekends and on our spare time but the stereotype of students at Ohio University only caring about drinking and partying and not about schoolwork is not only offensive to us, it is wrong as well.

The stereotype of Ohio University is generally that Athens is a huge "party town." While many students take part in the nightlife at OU, many others also experience the culture and spirit of Athens without going to the crazy parties OU students are known for hosting. On any given Friday or Saturday night (and many other nights throughout the week), local coffee shops have open mic nights or comedy shows. With these local venues as well as shows periodically at MemAud (OU's auditorium) and various sports teams, there is never a shortage of things to do. However, the stereotype of a party school pervades, perhaps because those who spend their nights partying do not see the unique offerings of Athens the way the majority of students who are not considered partiers do.

The traditional Ohio University stereotype is "the partier." This stereotype has climbed in recognition after the national ranking placement of Ohio University for #1 Party School in America. While most college students encounter parties at Ohio University, I would not judge this stereotype to be true. Many students interact in social settings that do not involve drugs or alcohol and find great pleasure in these environments. With numerous student organizations, there are many ways that students are able to make friends and socialize amongst the student body without putting their lives at risk.

Partying. That's all Athens has to offer. Or at least that's what people think. I have come into contact with so many people that are beautiful, and passionate about what they wish to accomplish that it's mind-blowing. People live and breath their work. Whether it be long nights in the Library as a business major in "the cluster" (a series of classes that define your experience in one of our schools ranked programs), or long hours with a molecular genetics professor studying how cancer is being detected early and lives are being saved. You get it all in Athens. Not only is it a school that offers so much to its students, it is a town that is as alive as any throughout the country. Small business co-ops, one of the nations leading farmers markets supplying local, homegrown foods, and beautiful scenery in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains. Athens is alive! More so than the average outsider thinks. All it takes is a couple of days there before you start thinking to yourself, "I love this place."

Partying. That's all Athens has to offer. Or at least that's what people think. I have come into contact with so many people that are beautiful, and passionate about what they wish to accomplish that it's mind-blowing. People live and breath their work. Whether it be long nights in the Library as a business major in "the cluster" (a series of classes that define your experience in one of our schools ranked programs), or long hours with a molecular genetics professor studying how cancer is being detected early and lives are being saved. You get it all in Athens. Not only is it a school that offers so much to its students, it is a town that is as alive as any throughout the country. Small business co-ops, one of the nations leading farmers markets supplying local, homegrown foods, and beautiful scenery in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains. Athens is alive! More so than the average outsider thinks. All it takes is a couple of days there before you start thinking to yourself, "I love this place."

The Princeton review rated Ohio University as the number 1 party school in the United States, this has led to a lot of misnomers for the University and, to be honest, partially because of the ranking, applicant numbers are on the rise. Besides the "thirsty party school" reputation, Athens has received other negative stereotypes as the red neck university, but too bad these critics have never actually visited the campus. OU is a party school, there's no avoiding that fact, it's been statistically proven, but it is also: a top university for journalism, the number 3 best creative writing program in the nation, a leader in Language and Speech pathology research, a center for the arts with a recognized printmaking major as well as music and Art, have you heard their marching band? Anyway, this is but a taste of the University's accolades and, after living there for awhile, you realize there's a lot more going on than the house party down the street.