Top 10 Graduate Schools For Partying

By Chad Anthony on February 11, 2014

Graduation is fast approaching for collegiate seniors across the nation.  For those wanting to go to graduate school, the vast array of options can easily become severely overwhelming.  There are so many questions with picking the right school: “Do I mind being in the middle of nowhere?”  ”Which program suits my major?”  ”Should I receive my masters in an area of study not related to my major?”  ”Do I want to go to a school where I can settle down afterward?”

One question remains unanswered.  It is most likely one of the more important, yet useless questions regarding a graduate school.  Which school is the best for partying?

Who said raging face can only happen in undergrad?  No one, that’s who.  If someone tells you grad school is for buckling down and getting your life together for a career, tell them to sod off.  Don’t be responsible, live it up!  Being located in a major city, having undergraduate party support, or reputable sports programs are the three criteria considered when researching for contenders.  Without further adieu, let the beer continue to flow after undergrad:

Image from Columbia.edu

10. Columbia University
A hop, skip and a jump away from Central Park, Columbia’s nightlife is hit or miss.  Certain weekends are filled with frat or sorority parties while others flop.  Board the train and experience a multicultural playground at every stop.  Love food?  There’s plenty between hot dog carts on the street corner to deliciously simple meatballs at The Meatball in the Upper East Side.

 

Image from BroBible.com

9. University of Dayton
Thanks to BroBible, the University of Dayton has acquired a subtly notorious label as a party school.  Houses within the two student neighborhoods, the Ghetto and the Dark Side, consistently throw parties open to the masses.  The students’ propensity to rage like it’s their first and last time allows for many a great weekend at the houses and nearby watering holes.  Graduate students frequently talk of the community aspect found at UD, making the programs more intimate and family-like.  Yeah, it’s in the middle of Ohio and the weather sucks, but what’s a little sacrifice for a quality party experience?

Image from TheVoiceofDowntownBoston.com

8. Emmanuel College
Not many individuals would select this relatively small graduate program as a “party school.”  Well, this little gem is nestled on the Western side of the good ol’ city of “Baaaahhhstin.”  That’s Boston, for all non-Bostonians.  Emmanuel made the list for its location near the famous Fenway Stadium.  In such a prideful (and rightfully so) city, the Green Monster is an icon.  If baseball isn’t your bread and butter, hop on the T and you now have access to all of Boston.  The city is home to amazing restaurants and bars, The GallowsStoddard’s, and Sidebar to name a few.

Image from Collegeprofiles.com

7. University of San Francisco
USF’s graduate programs include Education, Law, Nursing, Arts and Sciences, and Management.  Roughly five minutes away from the city center, street trams can provide the drunken support needed for a night of bar-hopping around San Francisco’s notoriously steep streets.  Choose between Smuggler’s Cove, or Ruby Skye, or Tempest.  You catch my drift; there are a lot of bars.  And if binge drinking gets boring, kick back and take in the sun at South Bay.

Image from luc.edu

6. Loyola University of Chicago
Alright, as far as the on-campus party scene goes, there isn’t much.  Thankfully, Loyola has an ace up its sleeve.  It’s the Windy City.  Chicago!  The city of lasagna with pizza crust!  So much food and drink to be had!  Billy Goat Tavern lies just up the road, famous for serving up-and-coming journalists from the Chicago Tribune attempting to banish writer’s block.  Chicago’s concert calendar always seems to be peppered with stellar performances by Justin Timberlake, Band of Horses, and Imagine Dragons.

Image from Elitedaily.com


5. University of Florida
Apart from being in the middle of nowhere, UF ranks as a Top 20 institution.  This school of over 50,000 students has one of the more talked about football programs in the nation.  With a well-funded program comes insatiable fans hosting pre-gaming events almost every weekend.  Beer and football bring together all of UF’s population.

I relate UF students to individuals hailing from Texas.  Have you ever met a down-to-earth Texan?  It seems as though every Lone Star State resident takes unnatural pride in their ability to secede from the Union or shoot a trespasser on sight.  Texans are usually one of the more in-your-face acquaintances.  Same zeal and audacity applies to Gator fans.  Don’t worry, they will tell you how awesome the Swamp is.  You won’t have to ask.

Image from Florida-miami.org

4. University of Miami
Many people ask me, “Why did you come to Dayton when you could have just stayed in South Florida?!  You live in Miami for Christ sake!”  Having lived in the Midwest for 4 years now, I understand why migrating to warmer weather seems ideal.  Don’t expect to get anywhere quickly, though.  Traffic remains to be the Achilles heel of Little Cuba.  On the same note, students of University of Miami enjoy summer pretty much year round.  You know what that means – sun tanning all the time.  With South Beach down the road, GTL is in full swing in the 305.

Image from Edhat.com

3. University of California, Santa Barbara
Similar to any other school renowned for partying, UCSB has been trying their damnedest to shed their reputation as a Top 10 party school.  Ranked No. 2 for the 2013 poll, this university possessed other boozy-accolades from Princeton Review, including Lots of Hard Liquor, Lots of Beer, and Reefer Madness.

Floatopia, a Santa Barbara associated beach party held in Isle Vista, became so insane and overpopulated that it was banned after its last year in 2012.  The Centre for Science and Technology Studies in the Netherlands recently placed Santa Barbara as the No. 2 institution for research impact, specifically in the sciences, mixing as well as Jack and Coke with their No. 2 Party school ranking by Princeton.

Image from NYU.edu

 2. New York University
Offering a wide variety of graduate programs, NYU is located in Lower Manhattan, less than 3 miles away from Times Square.  Disregard the social scene supported by on-campus avenues.  The bars are where the party’s at.  The well-established Arlene’s Grocery, Knitting Factory, and Alphabet Lounge are within a cheap-cab-fare’s distance.  If you’re struck with the munchies, Little Italy happens to be down the road.

 

1. Florida State University

Image from Picturesplus-art.com

I’d be lying if that didn’t have anything to do with FSU being No.1 on this list.  

Florida State stood on its own as a ridiculous party school even before winning the National Championship.  But, with that level of unprecedented publicity, the rage factor will simply sky rocket.  The school has something to prove this upcoming year, not just in football.  You will not be disappointed by the bar scene: masses of people dancing and leaving ambitions at the door.  I’d love to tell you about the times I’ve visited.  I really would, if I could.

Follow Uloop

Apply to Write for Uloop News

Join the Uloop News Team

Discuss This Article

Back to Top

Log In

Contact Us

Upload An Image

Please select an image to upload
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format
OR
Provide URL where image can be downloaded
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format

By clicking this button,
you agree to the terms of use

By clicking "Create Alert" I agree to the Uloop Terms of Use.

Image not available.

Add a Photo

Please select a photo to upload
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format