Laura
WashU social life definitely does not revolve around the sports realm. Although athletics tend to socialize together, other students are typically not involved. Unlike at state schools, WashU's sports scene is low-key and understated. Though sporting events are open to the campus and the public, partying and hanging out revolve more around greek life and other campus organizations. Some of the largest organizations are the Student Union, Relay for Life, Jewish Student Union, Ashoka (Indian Student Association), Dance Marathon, and Association for Black Students. These all tend to be centered around campus legislation, philanthropic events, and multi-culural celebrations. Theatre and music at WashU also play an important role with events such as a cappella concerts, musicals, and Carnival. Greek life is also popular at WashU. Sororities do not have houses, however, so the scene is a little more low-key than at many state schools.
Antonia
The most popular organizations on campus are the A cappella groups and the basketball team. My favorite group that I'm in is club softball. It is not as big of a commitment as varsity sports, but I practice 3 times a week and we travel. Students leave there doors open. Athletic events are not well attended except for the basketball games. There are many speakers and the theater always has plays. There is not too much of a dating scene. The most common thing to happen is on a Friday or Saturday at the Frats or apartments to drunkenly hookup with somebody. I met my closets friends by living on in the same building as them, and at parties. Tuesdays at 2am I am usually at a party. My favorite tradition is WILD (walk in lay down). WashU pays twice a year for famous singers and bands to perform. Most people party on Saturdays and Fridays. The fraternities are the big party scene amongst the freshmen. But being Greek is not that important. Last Friday I went to a basketball game, went to a dorm party before going to a frat house. On Saturday, I went to an a cappella party off campus. You can hang out with other people that don't like to drink, there's a good number.
Steven
The nightlife scene at WashU is great. Rarely is there a night with nothing to do on campus, even though those nights are occasionally warranted. The university’s policy is that once you are here, they treat you like an adult. Therefore, drinking is highly prevalent. The last time I saw a cop on campus and I was holding an open beer in my hand, he told me to “chug it or chuck it.” People typically party 3 times a week, maybe 4 depending point in the semester. Greek life is right around 30{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}, making it noticeable but not overwhelming. Generally, there are better parties in off campus apartments and houses then in the frats. There are also plenty of things to do that don’t involve drinking. The City Museum is a place downtown where an old industrial factory was turned into an adult playground made out of sheet metal. It contains slides, caves to crawl through, and a giant ball pit as well. It is open late on Saturday nights which always proves to be fun.
There are many on campus events that take place as well. WILD, or walk in lay down, is an all day festival complete with headlining music acts that takes place in Brookings quad twice a year. It is basically an all day drunk fest encompassing the entire campus. WashU also has the longest running, student run carnival in the country called Thurtene. It happens in April and is put on by the Greeks. Also there are many theater, dance, and musical performances on campus, including an all student run concert venue located in the basement of the student center. Athletics at WashU are secondary to academics. However, there is a major addiction to IM sports and there are varsity and club teams in almost all sports.
There are so many organizations to choose from that it is hard to pinpoint the most popular. In fact, if you have an idea for an organization that does not exist, it is very easy to start one. Student Life, one of the countries oldest student newspapers starting in 1878, is a popular read on campus. There are many other publications as well, including comedy/satire, political, literary arts, and a new music magazine. Overall, WashU provides students with an incessant amount of activities to choose from.