Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus Top Questions

Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?

Lindsey

No.

Kelly

I think it is in a way a party school because if you are looking for a party it usually isn't too hard to find one. I personally tend to think the people that are in frats/sororities live up to their stereotypes also.

Lindsay

In many cases there is a lot of partying amoung the IUP community but I believe that most of that partying is off campus. IUP is considered a dry campus and i believe that to be true.

Maria

Not at all. IUP is actually really quiet.

Nicole

No, most people don't drink all the time.

Abigail

Personally, I do not think these stereotypes are accurate. Sure, there are parties at IUP but I wouldn't say it would be any different than the amount of parties at any other given university. When you are in college, no matter what college it may be, there are obviously going to be parties all the time and I don't understand why people think it is only at IUP. I also do not think that IUP is a high crime rate university because the police do a good job of preventing that at our school and again, there is going to be a little bit of crime at any university you might be attending.

Bridget

I believe so.

Tristan

Every college ive ever visited is the same, if you go get fucked up every night yea your not going to go to class, and do poorly in your class. Im sure there is a party every night at every other school, IUP just has a lot more, and party much harder. IUP is a bigger school 15000 plus so yes there will be rapes, i think last year like 5, compared to say lock Haven who maybe has 3 a year with half the student size? There maybe one stabbing a year around home coming, you get 20,000 drunk college kids from every walk of life out on the streets and thats what happens.

Sarah

Unknown.

Kristina

We make it correct because we wear shirts that say things like "I.U.P - I.Usually.Party"

Thomas

For the most part

Andrea

somewhat -- a lot of people like to drink, but most in moderate amounts...

Jennifer

Look, no matter what college you go to there is going to be parties and drinking even at the christian colleges. The choice is ultimately up to you. If you don't want to drink, than don't drink. It's as simple as that.

Gene

When I was going into my freshman year of college and I told people I was going to IUP, some of them said things like, "That's just a party school." This stereotype is NOT true! Yes, there are parties here, just like any other university, but that is not all we are about. The students here are not just crazy drunks like people think they are. We are at IUP first and foremost to learn and I don't think that just because we like to have fun once in a while everyone should assume we don't work just as hard as students at other universities.

Martin

Depends on who you hang around.

Lauren

These stereotypes are more than accurate.

Ray

While some students part excessively, it is more common to find students who party responsibly. Honor's college kids are a different breed, though there are many awesome kids there. From athletes to musicians, chem majors to business majors, these kids just have a different college experience than students who don't live at the honors college.

Jake

Yes. Yes they are. The idea then would be not to get entirely caught up in the scene.

Hunter

To a degree, but all colleges have alot of students that party.

Kayla

This is not true! Yes there are parties, and yes people drink but not all. I know quite a few people who do not party or drink and are there to learn and get an education.

Toni

No, not 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}.

Hunter

No!

John

pretty much on the partying but as for the "Dirty" part I dont know

Theresa

Yes and no , of course studnets in their 20's are going to party but its not nearly as bad as it is portratyed to be.

Laura

Not in all cases. Every school has party students. Just because it wasn't difficult to get in, doesn't mean it isn't difficult to get the degree. Most students realize this.

Whitney

All of these stereotypes are for the most part accurate, but if YOU want a good education you can get it at IUP. It's pretty much what you make of it. If you want to get an easy degree, you can, but if you want a solid start and network for lots of opportunities, you can do that too.

Maureen

Yes, they are somewhat accurate. Like I said, it's up to the student.

Kristina

There have been a few policy changes in the past couple years, and the rampant drinking doesn't always happen as often. Obviously, it is a college and there will be parties and alcohol, but not more than any other colleges. Also, IUP does have a number of reputable academic programs, such as the education department, the criminology department and the music department.

Suzie

Sometimes. I know a lot of people who have never been to a party and I know a lot of people who go to parties, but drink moderately and within their limits.

Alex

Every state college is a party school...so yes.

Jenn

If partying is your thing, you won't be out of place, and there is definitely a time and place for it, but there is a very strong academic core at IUP and as someone who is a more serious student, I've always found it easy to make friends who are like-minded. I've also found that the quality of our classes and professors reflect the fact that you can get a great education at IUP.

jena

Some drinkers are heavy ones, not all. There are smart people at people with very admirable teachers. Sure a lot of people can get into the college, but not all take every opportunity to excel.

Ashleigh

Yes and No. I will be the first to tell you IUP is a party school, but what school isnt? Though more than many party on a regular basis, those same students also know how to manage their time wisely for school work. I know many people who graduated on dean's list and managed to party 4 days a week.

Lauren

Once again, as far as iup being a party school: It's not true that every kid walking aroung thinks about partying non-stop. The option to drink is not too difficult to find, but it's also very easy to opt out of the party scene.

Kelly

No these stereotypes are not accurate. IUP is no more of a party school than any other college and its a shame that whenever theres mention of IUP people automatically associate it with I Usually Party. IUP has a great academic program and its time it is recognized. As far as fun activities go, there are a lot you just have to look for them.

Jenn

Everyone parties, some people party harder than others

KJ

Not at all!!!

Justin

Not really but we do know how to party but also get our work done as well

Robin

nope

Mitch

yes and no, while there are a lot of parties around campus at all times, MOST of the students don't usually party day in and day out. And while there may be a few students who aren;t the best students, there are still many excellent students and briliant minds.

Dawson

Sadly, yes. While there are many excellent students at IUP, and although new IUP president Tony Atwater is trying very hard to shed this image, the results are patently obvious in the hung over beer-breath students I encounter in my morning classes. The main street of Indiana, Philadelphia Street, is known as "Bardelphia" street by some of us locals. (Culpeppers, Boomerangs, Wolfendales, Al Patti's, Cozumel, and Sgros are all bars present between fifth street and tenth street on this main thoroughfare.)

Jeffrey

I don't feel that the idea of IUP being any less of a school than Pitt is an accurate stereotype. There are a lot of not so intelligent people here, but that comes with any school setting.

Jeremy

In truth, IUP does have a very strong party atmosphere. Most students feel free to make their own choices, so there is not so much a sense of peer pressure to party as there is an pervading desire to continually engage in these behaviors. IUP is a very diverse campus. Although a majority of students call Pennsylvania home, they are diverse enough in their demographic to include students of all demographics. IUP also hosts a great number of international students. IUP has many strong individual students who strive to maintain a high academic standard, but the majority of students have a very relaxed approach to college, focusing more on fun and pleasure rather than seeking knowledge and maturing in their chosen professions. At times, it is hard to see how the administration at IUP can care about the students when very few efforts are made to connect with the general student body. Most often the feeling is one of a disconnected group of people making decisions that may or may not be in agreement with what the student body is seeking. IUP has done a poor job of cultivating a relationship with the students in hearing their needs and striving to provide the college experience that is desired. IUP does have a poor relationship with the community. True, many townspeople are engaged with activities that occur on the campus such as performances and visiting speakers, but the focus is always on the school rather than actively engagement of the community. IUP has made very few efforts to involve itself and its students with the surrounding businesses, charities, social and volunteer societies, etc. Many students are only familiar with the bars that line several blocks of Philadelphia Street. Many do not know anything about the local schools, town history, the public library, stores and business that are located outside of the campus, and local recreational opportunities like parks and pools.

Meghan

To some degree, these stereotypes are accurate, but you'd find them anywhere if you wanted to.

Angie

These assumptions couldn't be more inaccurate- don't get me wrong, there is definiately a great social scene and plenty of do to entertain your free time... however, MANY students at IUP are committed to their education and the university has educated some of the finest scholars around. Their students have a fantastic reputation in the workforce. Additionally, with such a large student body, it is very common to meet IUP alumni in almost any field of work you choose.

toni

As far as the area being small, yes, it is true. You can keep busy, but it is not going to find you. You definetly need to be proactive to keep busy.

Alaina

Well, it is a pretty nice party school but you can either choose to go down that rode or choose to go to classes.

Brittany

No

Jenn

I think IUP is the same as any school, there is the group of students who think college is one big party and then there are the students that are at IUP to get an education. So no not completely accurate.

Tate

In some cases