Social life was my biggest concern when I was considering W&L, because I'm not into the Greek system or the partying scene, and I don't drink. People party a lot here, and you could go out every night if you wanted to. I've found that there are a lot of other interesting things to get involved with, though, and I generally feel comfortable with my social life here. My closest friends I met either from my fall term classes or actually during orientation week, and we like to do things like going out to eat, to movies, going to athletic events on campus, and hiking. I like to go see guest speakers and go to concerts and other activities on campus as well. Even though this is a small town, I think there is enough to do to keep you busy as long as you don't write it off immediately as a boring small town. I've actually come to appreciate the relaxed pace of life in Lexington. Greek life is a huge deal at this school, and most people I know are involved with it. I chose not to be because regardless of what the viewbooks and tour guides may tell you, the Greek system is very exclusivist and chooses people based on how attractive and wealthy they are and for other shallow reasons, and I wanted no part in that. Actual quote from a sorority girl before rush week: "Make sure you edit all your Facebook pictures and only leave the pretty ones so you have the best chances of getting in to your sorority." I might also add that though this is not always true, the "snob" stereotype fits people involved with the Greek scene much more than it does independents, likely because of the exclusive, "secret society" ideas the system promotes. Girls join the system through rush week, which is characterized by silly rules which tear down the sense of school community (i.e., freshmen girls cannot speak to upperclassmen that week unless they are wearing a pink scarf or some other identifying object, and you can't discuss sororities or even tell anyone which one you want to join). Even if you are not rushing, people make you observe these "rules," which are far better suited to a junior high clique than a prestigious university. For guys, joining a fraternity means eight weeks of "pledgeship," which is a politically correct word for "hazing." Don't be fooled by the anti-hazing policies--they aren't adhered to. The university also allows the Greek system to hold far too much power at this school and turns a blind eye to these serious issues. We say we value honor and character so highly, but what is honorable about hazing a freshman? We say we are a school of multitudinous opportunities, but yet the sororities are tremendously exclusive and use a lot of slick and polished excuses to limit the opportunities of others. I think it's high time that someone exposed this flagrant hypocrisy. Yet most people are afraid to do so because the Greek system has been allowed to become practically sacred here. It doesn't deserve that position. I could practically write a book about this situation, but that should give you some idea of the real deal.