DePauw ranked among top party schools

Monday, August 2, 2010

The verdict's out: DePauw University is now ranked among some of the nation's largest universities, but not in some of the ways it wants to be recognized.

The Princeton Review released its annual list of college rankings Monday, placing DePauw as the No. 10 party school in the United States.

DePauw also ranked highly in several other categories, including No. 1 for "Best College Radio Station" for on-campus station WGRE 91.5 FM, No. 8 for "Town-Gown Relations Are Strained," No. 14 for "Lots of Beer" and No. 3 for "Major Frat and Sorority Scene."

DePauw's Executive Director of Media Relations Ken Owen said he questions the validity of the list because The Princeton Review has never been willing to share its methodology, which are based on voluntary e-mail surveys of 122,000 students at more than 370 colleges across the country.

"I'm not sure if they talked to many students or any," Owen said.

Owen said he's ensured the survey ranking the university as a top party school is "bunk."

"It's sad the mechanism they use to sell a book is the whole issue of alcohol use on college campuses," Owen said.

With an estimated enrollment of 2,300, the university joins the ranks of University of Georgia, this year's national titleholder. The Athens, Ga., school has an undergraduate population of about 30,000.

Also ranked were last year's top-ranked Pennsylvania State, West Virginia University and University of Florida.

Both Indiana University and DePauw both made the list last year, ranked at 14th and 15th, respectively.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

For more on this story, check Wednesday's edition of The Banner Graphic

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  • I am totally shocked. It is beyond belief that the PR would slander Depauw in such a fashion. Don't they know that publishing such unsubstantiated "facts" could cost them dearly? Let the lawsuits commence. I am sure Depauw has many able legal alumni who could rise to their defense.

    -- Posted by exhoosier2 on Tue, Aug 3, 2010, at 9:01 AM
  • What a great recruiting tool! Depauw may SAY this isa negative. Depauw can't advertise this attribute but The Princeton Review can!

    -- Posted by headlettuce on Tue, Aug 3, 2010, at 9:50 AM
  • DePauw is very far from being a "Party School" believe me. I am sure that students party but on any grand scale the good people of Greencastle would never allow.

    -- Posted by Harmony Church on Tue, Aug 3, 2010, at 6:33 PM
  • Princeton Review Top 10 Party Schools 2011:

    The rankings are based on surveys voluntarily filled out by more than 122,000 students around the country. They're based on alcohol and drug use, how much or how little time people spend studying, and the popularity of the Greek system,

    1.) University of Georgia

    2.) Ohio University

    3.) Pennsylvania State University

    4.) West Virginia

    5.) Ole Miss

    6.) University of Texas

    7.) University of Florida

    8.) University of California: Santa Barbara

    9.) Iowa

    10.) DePauw University

    -- Posted by mchunter on Wed, Aug 4, 2010, at 12:21 AM
  • You know its bad enough that all these depauw students think they own this town every time they come back i think depauw is a terrible school you go there to learn you shouldn't be able to party practically 24/7 i feel sorry for people that live around depauw them kids are so annoying when they have their little parties.

    -- Posted by wilsonheidi26 on Wed, Aug 4, 2010, at 12:24 AM
  • I'd be happy if they would just teach the best and brightest how to cook and make popcorn without setting off the fire alarms.

    -- Posted by exhoosier2 on Wed, Aug 4, 2010, at 2:13 AM
  • Greencastle would be a ghost town without Depauw. The witless rednecks would have to find another roost.

    -- Posted by smrtrthnu on Wed, Aug 4, 2010, at 3:29 PM
  • personally every depauw student is nothing but spoiled brats they all act like they are better than everyone. it just amazes me how depauw owns practically all of those streets over there and that isn't fair some people have had to give up there homes just so depauw could take over. oh and by the way npgrad2008 ive lived in g-castle longer than u were born so don't sit there and tell people to move to another rink a dink town when ur still just a baby...

    -- Posted by wilsonheidi26 on Thu, Aug 5, 2010, at 6:22 PM
  • Can you back up your claims that Depauw gives money to the community?

    -- Posted by 1stamendrights on Sun, Aug 8, 2010, at 11:40 AM
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