Sarah Lawrence College Top Questions

What are the most popular student activities/groups?

Jackie

More girls than guys. Guys can get it April 20th is a big thing People go to the city often on the weekends

Tsebiyah

Most of the organizations on campus have a devoted and passionate team of people, and thus, a dedicated following. The theater department is large, and additionally there are a few student-run productions teams on campus that produce amazing shows every year. The Burlesque troupe is incredibly popular and always draws a crowd. There are comedy performances weekly and semi-annually, and at the end of each year there is SNL-esque production that always brings in a full house. The spring and fall formals are always these big, elaborate catered events with a DJ, strobe lights and the works. On a Saturday night there is always a show going up somewhere. In the Black Squirrel, which is a student space where people go to hang out, there are board games and a large flat-screen TV, plus you can get milkshakes. Twice a year year, at the star of the last week of each semester- which is always the most stressful -there is a midnight breakfast. Almost the entire campus takes a break from their all-nighters to go into the dining hall and get a never ending stream of breakfast foods handed to them. It's widely looked forward to and almost never lets you down. The campus is pretty safe, and I've lived in dorms where locking your door is more work than not, so people don't. Often people can abandon their things in the library to go on a quick food run across the street. There are weekly parties in "the blue room", a club-like space where bands also come to perform. While the party scene isn't exactly like that of a big state university, most students prefer the dorm parties here to something wild and dangerous like college life is infamous for.

Pamela

SLC is not a sports school. The athletic department is very small. Most students participate in other clubs like stitching, exotic dancing, burlesque, drama, and student activities. I used to take part in the people of color club but I had very little time so I had to quit. I spend a lot of time in other organization in NYC. There are very few conflicts with thief, arguments, fights or any crime. It is a very peaceful school, and I love that. The campus is usually quiet, even on weekend, because a lot of students go into the city. There is not a lot of on campus parties so my friend and I usual have parties in our rooms or we go to NYC clubs. If we don't want to travel, we go to the "blue room," which is where a lot of school parties are thrown. Yes, Sarah Lawrence is not a party school at all. There are also no sororities or frats. We just have to be creative and make our own campus life.

Ryan

You have to make it happen and it will.

Kim

There's always something going on somewhere on campus. Whether it's a party in Slonim Woods, an open mic night at the Black Squirrel, or a raging jazz/blues bash in the Blue Room, you'll rarely be bored. Weekends tend to start on Thursdays, and if you're in to partying, try to get a room in Hill House, Slonim, Andrews Court, or Rothschild. If you want quiet housing or sub-free, try Taylor, Westlands, Andrews House, Kober-Curtis, or Gilbert. Greek life is nonexistent on this campus, but there is plenty of partying and drama. One of the bad things about small colleges is the fact that nothing is private. Almost every first year is in a triple or a cramped double, and they are very close quarters--particularly in the New Dorms, which have the smallest rooms on campus (this is where I live--trust me, they're small, even if you are in a double). You will probably come to hate your roommates, if they aren't your best friend. PLEASE, don't be afraid to talk to the RA's--most of them are awesome. I wouldn't suggest leaving your door unlocked--security frowns upon it too--but if you do, you are not likely to be robbed during the day. You can't promise anything with parties going on. If you are in Hill House, do NOT leave your door unlocked. Hill House is also a public apartment building. The dating scene..... is only existent for a certain part of population. Casual sex is common, particularly during the stressful time around conferences. There are so many workshops, lectures, and conferences you can attend, on topics ranging from Autism (we had a brilliant lecture here in March) to the fast food industry, and everything in between. Regular movie showings courtesy of Sarah Lawrence Activity Council (or the SLACers, as they're called). You can always head down to the Black Squirrel, the Basement, or the Blue Room for live performances (Girlyman was just here), poetry readings, or a delicious Nutella milkshake. There are several big bashes each year, including the Fall and Spring formal. Unfortunately, SLC no longer holds the Coming Out Ball due to an incident several years ago.

Robin

This isn’t Alpha Kappa whatever. SLC parties in its own way. The notorious Coming-Out Dance was shut down (at least during my time) for being too rowdy, too drunken, and too full of public sex. So don’t think SLCers can’t get down just because we don’t have massive parties. You just need to know where to look. And you’ll figure it out quickly. You’ll have a blast if you let yourself.

Annaliese

A student shows us the Black Squirrel, one of the student recreation areas on campus.

Lauren

I did three quarters of bowling and one quarter of ice skating for my physical education credits. My life was primarily just living out the life I had before Sarah Lawrence. Sorry I can't really contribute much more than that. I do know that there is a pretty fair volume of guest speakers throughout the year (for example, at the beginning of last year, Full House's "Stephanie Tanner" (Jodie Sweetin), came to visit us for a discussion about drug and alcohol abuse). We have had many famous guest speakers in the past (none of which I attended except for Jodie Sweetin). I believe their is a fair amount of on campus partying going on regularly. Other than what I know from hear-say

Lily

Sarah Lawrence students pretend that their college is in New York City. It is not. It's in Westchester. Close, but not NYC. If you are looking for a commuter school, this is it. It is hard to make friends at Sarah Lawrence, because the campus dumps out every weekend. It appears as though every student at Sarah Lawrence has a resource network of friends at NYU, Columbia, SVA, Barnard, The New School, etc. that they could rely on from Friday to Sunday.

AMY

You can generally find any kind of Friday night on campus that you want. If you want a room full of people blowing coke or a Lord of the Rings moviethon you'll find it. In a weird way, people want to be seen on campus, want to socialize, yet are all to comfortable to spend every Friday with the same people.

Kelly

Sarah Lawrence is sort of the anti-jock, anti-fraternity school. We don't have any Greek life on campus, and we have some inter-collegiate teams (ultimate frisbee is the most popular) but these are typically atypical, and not really a focus of school attention. In terms of parties, alcohol, and drugs--in the '90s SLC had a big drug problem (mostly with heroin) which caused the school to crack down on drugs hardcore. We no longer have a drug problem, but the school still maintains a certain absolutely-no-tolerance policy that is outdated and not really suited to the current atmospheres. Because campus is so small, any party consisting of more than 15 students is usually shut down pretty soon. People usually hang out in small groups. Maybe because of this, there's not a lot going on at the SLC over the weekends, and most people go into the city. Walking around on a Friday night, things are pretty dead, which is regrettable. Knowing people in the city (Fordham, NYU, Colombia, Barnard, etc) is advantageous, but if you don't there's still a lot to do in NYC. The last train back from Grand Central to Bronxville is at 1:53, which can sometimes put a crunch on certain plans. SLC students aren't really "joiners", so there's an unfortunate pattern that happens sometimes when we have events on campus; people assume nothing is going on, and they also don't really show up when things are going on, so attendance isn't great. Theatre events can fill up because most venues are pretty small and there is interest. In terms of meeting people, a lot of it happens in the very beginnig of school. The beautiful weather causes most people to hang out in the common outdoor areas, and most people are receptive to meeting new people. For first-years, there are a few days of orientation before the upperclassmen arrive that is very important--everyone's in the same boat so it's good for introducing yourself to as many people as possible with least awkwardness. When the weather starts getting cold, people go inside and also tend to settle down with a certain group of friends. Meet friends before it gets cold. The dating scene isn't great, so don't take it personally--it's not you, it's Sarah Lawrence.

Lorie

we don't have a social life. on a saturday night we're in the library or in the City. There are a ton of lectures, shows, performances, but we don't party, we don't drink beer. We hang and sip and lie out on the lawn or maybe dance in our apartments. You want to party, you go to the city.

Jamie

When spring comes, people go out on the lawn between the dorms, joke, smoke, read and talk. Spring and fall are the major social times of year, because in the winter it is so cold that there isn't a possibility of congregating outside and so most people only see their closer friends. People party pretty much all the time, but they also work all the time, everything is so close together that people take study breaks to socialize for an hour and then go back to work. The most major working times of year, conference weeks at the end of each semester, are also very social times because everyone hangs out while they are writing papers, but people party most at the beginning of the semester. There are also a lot of campus cultural events. Bands play a couple of times a week from on and off campus and school sponsored dance parties which are popular, and there are student art shows which are some of the most popular social events on campus. There are also a lot of more academic campus events like readings, lectures and film festivals which are popular. It is likely that you are awake on Tuesday at 2am but it is probably to work.

Kyle

see above

Anna

Sports are pretty non-existent. We've got some great dancers, wicked ultimate frisbee, and a good equestrian team, but that's about it.

Cassidy

Half an hour from Manhattan. Need I say more?

Reese

The campus tries to make events happen, but they usually suck. Whatever the students do themselves, like the A Space art shows or Whiskey Wednesdays in apartments, are the most fun. You have to make your own fun at SLC. THERE ARE NO FRATERNITIES OR SORORITIES. If you have ever thought about joining one, this is not the school for you. The city is 30 minutes away and remember to stay friends with your buds that go to NYU so you have a place to crash on Saturdays.

Michael

Lots of poetry readings, student and faculty, at least 3 plays/shows per week. A great lecture series (Michael Moore, Frank Zappa's Guitarist, Prize winning authors, Professors). No frats but we do have many smaller parties on weekend nights (its sort of like bar hopping from dorm to dorm) At 2AM I might be working, drinking, smoking, tripping, talking, walking I never know until it happens.

Kate

The most popular groups on campus are theater/vocal groups. Students for Israeli-Palestinian Peace, a group I was involved with, threw events that were pretty popular, but the most popular events are dances and readings. Athletic events rarely gain popularity, but guest speakers and theater are frequently attended. The dating scene is practically non-existant--sorry ladies, you're most likely not going to find your man at SLC. Most women find a guy they like, and once the guy realizes he's male at SLC, he discovers he has his pick of the litter. The male/female ratio really works in their favor, and it makes it really hard for us. The relationships I've been in have been with people I've met off campus--it's all just networking, so don't worry, you'll meet someone. If I'm awake at 2am on a Tuesday, I'm studying. Sometimes I'll be awake at 2am on a Friday night studying. There's a lot of work, but I mean, it's manageable, and it's whatever you're interested in so it's more fun than normal busy work. Traditions, again, are usually dances. Our craziest, most infamous dance was the "coming out dance," a dance at the end of our coming out week, a celebratory week for LGBT students, and anyone who wanted to express their sexuality. It was cancelled after my first year because too many people were sent to the hospital for alcohol poisoning. It was unlike any other dance, and I doubt anyone will be able to replicate how amazing it was. So it was really a shame that people got so out of control with it that they had to be hospitalized--it's the reason that our "sleeze ball" got cancelled too, because some people like to ruin things for everyone else. Please, please, if you do decide to go to SLC, don't be one of those people. At SLC, I would party maybe once or twice a week, on the weekends. That was pretty much the norm, I think. Some people partied a little more, some people less, like any place. If you really want to find a party, you'll find one, or you'll make one happen, it's not very hard to do. If not, there are always other things going on--concerts, readings, dances, etc. etc., the programming board works hard to create other alternatives to drinking and passing out. Off campus, I usually either go to the local bar (an Irish pub, which is really fun) or to the diner down the road. There isn't a lot of activity in and around Bronxville, but NYC is a 20 minute metro-north train away (if you want to spend 12+ dollars round trip, including the train and the subway). People go to the city all the time on weekends, and there's endless amounts of things to do there.

hannah

I don't really keep up with clubs or organizations. I guess kids leave their dorm rooms opened. Particularly in the new dorms cause they jam like 7 kids into a tiny room. Athletic events? hahahahaha. Guest speakers? It depends on who is speaking. Theater is very popular. Very. Dating scene- it's alright. but the campus is so small, it kind of sucks to see the dude you regret going on a date with all the time. I met my closest friends because I was in class with them, mostly. Or I just kind of met them through people that lived in my dorm. Stuff like that. 2 am on a tuesday- making art or at a party we don't have frats or any of that. thank the lord. saturday night- no drinking: dance or regular party, movie watching, listening to music with friends, going into NYC, etc. it's nyc, what do you think i do off campus.

Bert

most of the students are not very self motivated or involved enough to get up and go do activities. even if your friend is performing stand up comedy or a concert one night, there's a good chance you wont want to go and you'll just stay in your dorm room. no matter what it is, it's hard to get people to come to it.

Arynne

Despite what I've just said, there is plenty to do around here, even in the winter. There are parties and dances and concerts (both rock and classical). There are poetry and acoustic guitar nights at the CommuniTea House. One cold winter's night we gathered there to drink cocoa and take turns reading "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe". There are picnics and barbecues on the North Lawn, and sometimes marshmallows toasted around a bonfire. The South Lawn plays host to frenzied football games when it is snow-covered. A heavy snow also means that snowmen go up in front of every building. Like I said earlier, there's no pressure to take part in anything. A friendly invitation or two, and then you're left alone -- but there's always the promise of company if you want it.

Jacob

Sarah Lawrence's social life, as a logician such as Sir Bertrand Russell might describe it, is a "null set"--it cannot be found in the actual world.

Cliff

As a first year, some are inclined toward campus activities, but gradually you form smaller groups, wherein you drink and just chill out. Political and philosophical discussions ensue en masse (at least in my circles) and you grow to really love your friends. Sarah Lawrence is a wonderful microcosm for the young social life.

Madison

the social life differs for everyone. the dating scene is pretty non existent, and big parties happen occasionally.

Casey

There are wonderful events that go on campus and even though slc does not look competitive in sports, we do take it seriously

Jamie

The fact that there is no student center is bad because I feel that that would help unite the campus more. The party scene here is average I am assuming for a small liberal arts school but the dating scene is pretty minimal. My hallmates in the New Dorms are really close to one another and they usually hang out in the hall talking, and playing guitar early in the morning on school days for fun.

Madison

Lots of tea.

Alex

I didn't have much of one by Sarah Lawrence's standards, but I did become close to many of the people that I've met in dorms and at my student employment.

Clare

If you're awake at 2am on a Tuesday, you're writing a paper that's probably due Wednesday. Maybe Thursday. The party scene is interesting-- if it's what you want to do, it's very easy to find, but if you're not interested in it, then it's very easy to avoid. Saturday nights usually have concerts or some kind of performance happening, lots of people do homework, and if there still aren't enough distractions from parties, then you can go into the city and New York has just about everything to offer.

Alex

Social scene consist of the theater people who come out when they don't have class or practice... and then everyone else who's not in theater. Social activities include, but are not limited to: drinking hard alcohol in your friends apartment, getting high in your friend's apartment, going to dances in the blue room, going to the city and going to the bar in yonkers. Most of my friends consist of straight girls whose friendship is easily acquired by complimenting their clothes, discussing the tragedy that they don't have boyfriends and letting them barrow magazines. Friends can be made fairly easily if you're outgoing, feel comfortable talking to strangers when drunk and don't mind hanging around parties longer than you normally would.

Lee

NO SOCIAL LIFE AT ALL. NO CLUBS THAT ARE ACTIVE.

Allison

Hillel is so popular. Everyone is involved in an art for the most part, I think. Like dance, or theatre, or photography, or music, etc. I am involved in the theatre department. I enjoy it. Although sometimes it is cliquey.

Laurel

The theater department is really fun. I participate in as many shows as i can.

Ryan

Theater is big here, as far as on campus event, it seems that by a few months into school their is always a performance of some kind going on. There are also many musical opertunitys, jazz ensembles, choirs, etc. There are also school sponsered dances about twice a month. There are no fraternities or sororities, though a lot of housing on campus is communal apartments. If you are awake at 2am on a tuesday you are either in the library, at the pub (one of the four dining options on campus) with friends, or in a friends room partying/movie watching/snuggling

Sammy

One of the most popular groups on campus is PETA but it's not the PETA you are thinking about. Our PETA is People Eating Tasty Animals (though we have an animal rights activist group too). There is a balance on campus between socially or politically active groups on campus and whimsical groups. People tend to get involved in a few groups that they are really passionate about rather than try to be a silent member of 20. If' I'm awake on 2am on a Tuesday I'm probably doing hw.

Robin

The fitness center is great for soccer and mutual interests with like-minded healthy people who want to live a well-balanced life. A weekend or evening could easily consist of a theater performance, dance show, lecture, reading or social network of the mix.

Andrew

If you want to go to SLC for the party scene, it's basically non-existent. However, if that's what you're looking for, you shouldn't even be going to college. Security is pretty strict on cracking down at parties of more than 8 people, so most parties are small groups of friends drinking quietly in their dorm rooms. There are no fraternities or sororities, so that's not a source of partying. However, if you have a good group of friends, you don't need those big-ass parties. I visited my friend at a large state school and when I went to a frat party with him, that is the only time I have ever seen 21-year-olds crawling on all fours down the sidewalk like babies. They even had regurgitated food all over themselves, just like a real baby! Aw, cute. On weekends the campus usually clears out because many people go into the city. Many people know other students in the city or are already from the city and go home during the weekend. For those of us who can't go back home, the school makes an effort to provide events on campus during the weekends. Sadly, since everyone is in the city, not very many people show up for these. The school used to have very important traditions. SLC was known for a legendary party called the Coming-Out Dance. Students from all colleges would come to it, and it even made a place in Playboy magazine one year as one of the top-10 best college parties in the county. It originally started as a benefit dance for AIDS and sexual awareness, but soon it became out of control and turned into one giant orgy-party where it wouldn't be uncommon to see people on all types of drugs fucking on the open dance floor. Now Sarah Lawrence College isn't really known for anything.

Alex

Hot, small dance parties in cramped dorm rooms with the exception of one or two campus wide parties annually with the potential to be tons of fun depending on how much students believe in the event.

Nick

95{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the people on this campus think that it's absolutely, 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}, patently, absurdly ridiculous that the Administration on this campus would try to limit underage drinking that happens here, and complain about the social life accordingly. If they'd grow up a little bit, they'd realize that 1. There's cool stuff to do almost every night here, 2. This is the way it works at any small school in the country, and 3. Alcohol is not the be-all end-all of social interaction.

Abbie

The sports teams here are incredible. They are not incredibly popular... but amazing none the less. I have never been surrounded by so many positive athletes and coaches who actually want to get to know you beyond your athletic talent. The dating scene here is very sketchy... especially if you're straight. If you're gay you may, for the first time, find a plethura of other gay students who are right up your ally. While if you're straight you may want to expect your boyfriend to be dating multiple people.

Grace

Some say the social life is 'hard' to deal with. This is true to a certain extent. I think a lot of first years have trouble in any college or university. It's a new environment and some students are not prepared for what college social life entails. What is awesome about Sarah Lawrence is that if you stick with it, the social life comes along. Students adapt and while adapting they also embrace the community. For a small school we are careful about the guest speakers we invite. Various writers of high esteem come and speak, in addition to comedians. Activity wise, we have theatre shows almost every weekend. there are dances down in the blueroom or the city is a 20 minute train ride. when all else fails we can just gather in front of a computer and watch re-runs of Golden Girls (which is always fun).

Marie

The campus turns into a ghost town on the weekends, and everyone goes into the city!

jesse

good times.

Alice

Make your own. Do it better. Have good time. Also, campus is completely safe to roam around at 3AM. If I can't sleep I usually go outside with my ipod and roam around.

Dean

Life: Residence life is quite varied. Although some residence halls can be small and cramped, others are palatial and huge. Spanning from forced triples to cottages with full kitchens, living rooms and generously-sized single bedrooms.

Kelly

I am involved mostly in Hillel, the Jewish student club on campus. We are very active and try to have at least one event a week. We also have dinner together once a week to discuss our events and what we want to do. Students leave their dorm rooms open and I feel comfortable walking into people's rooms even if I do not know they are there. Theatre is one of the most popular activities. on any given weekend there could be 2-6 shows going on, and everyone is always in rehearsal (including me). The dating scene is difficult for everyone here, there are not many men, everyone is sexually frustrated/confused/open/experimenting. I do not look at my school for a relationship. NO frats or sororities... thank goodness!! When we are off campus we are in NYC, which is another wonderful thing about SLC. On weekends there are usually school sponsored (therefore alcohol/drug free) dances or concerts. they are not that well attended, but they can be fun.

Torry

Guest speakers are big on campus, especially comedians and other entertainers.

Jack

People party on Thursdays, but parties are usually busted before 1. People either do stuff with their friends or go to New York (25 mins by train) on Friday or Saturday. People work or pretend to on Sundays. Everyone complains about having no one to date- no matter if you're a boy or girl, gay or straight. The only privileged population in that sense is straight males. The social life REALLY depends on the seasons. Fall is okay, winter is make your own adventure, and spring is amazing.

Jessica

There is no greek lilfe here, parties tend to be small affairs unless they are school organized in which case it is impossible to know how good they will be. Students sometimes leave doors open but in general this is not the case. Athletic events are not at all popular. Theater is going on all year round. The dating scene is hard. If you are awake at 2am you are either working or procrastinating with friends. The biggest off-campus draw is the city which is relatively easy to get to and full of fun things to do.