Brett
the men's basketball team is by far the main attraction on campus, making it to the NCAA tournament 4 years in a row and making it to the sweet sixteen this past year. there is a lot more than just basketball, though. there are a ton of clubs, sports teams, intramurals, music and theater groups, and fraternities and sororities.
Katie
Villanova is extremely geared toward community service: habitat for humanity and special olympics are just two of the many organizations with which we are involved. There are also tons of lectures, events, clubs, etc. It also it somewhat of a party school. Frats and sororities are pretty big, but by no means do you have to be a part of greek life to have fun. There are also plenty of things to do if you don't drink such as KOP mall, bowling, going into Philly, movies, etc.
Chris
Well, sororities are pretty popular. Many girls tend to go through that process and it seems to work out for them. As for fraternities, they are smaller than sororities and have a bigger negative stereotype of being real manly man. The frats are pretty weak at Nova. Popular activities include participating and helping out in Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics, Up 'til Dawn, Balloon Day, and other volunteering opportunities. Intramural sports are a lot of fun to play if you like to play sports and you are not a Division I athlete. If you are a Division I athlete Villanova is pretty competitive in all sports, even in IAA football, although no one really cares about it that much. In the dorms, students do leave their dorms open and are very friendly.
Basketball games are the most fun and important athletic events on campus. There is a lottery for tickets and if you attend more games each year, you get better lottery numbers. Basketball games are the pulse of the school. We tend to have a lot of diverse guest speakers from politicians to religious educators to business professionals. All of them are highly recognized and they draw huge crowds from those who are interested in the topic of conversation. I don't think the theatre draws too many people in to visit there shows.
I met my closest friends in the dorms that I lived in each year. We either lived together, or lived near each other. And when you join the activities that you enjoy doing you notice that many of the same people are at these events.
If you are awake at 2am you could either be working on schoolwork all night, or you could be all night just chatting it up with people in your dorm or house, just shooting the breeze, hanging out.
Every year the school hosts the regional Special Olympics festival. Also, Balloon day. Every year we have two big concerts one in the fall one in the spring. One is called Novafest in the spring which you can't miss, it's a big deal. People party on weekends an Thursdays. If you're old enough to go to the bars, there is a crowd every night of the week at certain bars depending on the specials. If you are an underclassmen, you typically will only party on the weekends or special nights during the week.
meg
Blue Key, Ambassadors and Special Olympics are definitely the three big most popular groups. The selection process for all three is very intense as well. The dating scene is lacking as well. It is very hard to get off of campus since most of the Freshman and Sophomores are not allowed to have cars. Also, there are few things that are within reasonable walking distance.
Michelle
There is so much happening on Villanova's campus. While there are tons of volunteer and social experiences, it is very difficult to hold high positions or obtain leadership in most of the organizations because there are so many good canidates, making it frustrating and disheartening at times. Some major activities are the newspaper, student government, campus ministry volunteering, special olympics, campus activities team (CAT), vocal groups, theater, greek life, and athletics. Everyone is really into men's basketball here and I would say that is our biggest showing of school spirit and Villanova pride evident to outsiders.
Beth
There is something for everyone at Villanova, from intramurals to Frats. Every organization has a unique function, which greatly adds to Villanova's campus.
Steve
Some students leave their dorm room doors open, especially in the beginning of the year when everyone is trying to get to know people. Athletic events besides the basketball team are not too popular, but the bball team is very popular. Guest speakers are popular. Michelle Obama just recently filled a gym on campus with students, and John McCain is expected to have the same reception when he comes later this month. Theater isn't that popular, although I heard there are plans to construct a new theater on campus, which may generate more interest. Dating at Villanova is pretty casual, and fluid, it is hard to tell sometimes if a couple is dating or if they're just part of a larger group of friends. My closest friends were all in my dorm freshman year. One of the biggest events on campus is Nova Fest, which happens every April, the university usually brings in a band and/or a comedian. This year it is Brand New and a rapper, last year was goo goo dolls, two years ago 3rd Eye blind and Dane Cook. People party every weekend or more often. Sometimes it seems like there isn't much to do on the Villanova campus, that is why the two train stops on campus are so good. I believe the trains stop running at 12:30 though. There is a shuttle that runs to the KOP mall as well. The school shows movies on weekends and has a video rental store on campus. There are more sororities than frats on campus, and they don't play too big a part in the social scene.
Ashley
doors open in dorms freshman year and some sophmore but after that they're all closed. mens basketball the only event worth goin to. people u meet freshman year are usually ur best friends for college. people party on the weekends, but not so much durin the week. frats and soroties not important. watch a movie in student center if u dont want to drink. go to philly off campus, but u need to be 21 for basically everythin there
Jamie
we are not a party school or like a normal "college".
Only freshmen year do anyone really attend frat parties.
We have bars on the mainline that are strictly Villanova kids.
We also have Philly so close so it is a great escape.
Cameron
In my dorm, the RA is really uptight about noise so we dont really have a community and dont leave our doors open. The dating scene is obselete and Nova girls, especially minorities, dont have that expectation. People party here all the time but they are all drinking parties. It is nearly impossible to be social and not drink on this campus. Therefore, often we will have to go off campus if you are into a different social scene.