Even if you are not a student at Ohio University, you are probably aware of the "party school" reputation that it upholds. The experience of receiving judgment and warnings from people who think less than highly of the university is something that I have dealt with from the very moment I showed interest in attending.

I asked a variety of people to discuss how they feel about OU's reputation and how they typically respond when someone says that OU is a party school. This is how they answered:

"Yes, there is partying, but it is easy to avoid." -Sarah Murphy

"I think OU is 100% a party school; the only recurring events other than parties are craft nights, and I don't like craft nights." -Nia Caldwell

"It can be, but it doesn't really affect you if it's not your cup of tea. If you want to party at OU, you can find a party, but you're not just going to stumble into one. They're not unavoidable aside from loud people in the streets, of course, which is more entertaining than anything." -Ava Da Re

"I always get told that I go to a big party school and I find it really annoying because it's only a party school if you make it one. It's usually assumed by people back home that I go out all the time even though I'm not a huge party person." -Morgan Eriksen

"I'm always frustrated when people tell me that my school is a party school because I don't think it's any more of a party school than any other state university. If people come to college wanting to party, they'll be able to find that culture at any school they might attend. I've never been overwhelmed by the party culture at OU and don't feel like you have to party to fit in. "-Callie Smith

"It's an overstatement and yes, OU does have big parties that lots of students go to, but any school can be a party school if you want it to be. As a junior, I have never gone to any fests or bar events and I still love OU with all of my heart because I found other ways to get involved and meet people on campus." -Christine Bergeron

"I usually try to ignore the fact that they want to take value away from my education. The expensive education that my family is paying for, and I am going to be in debt for. College is what you make it when it comes to parties. It's personal choices not the whole school that gives OU that reputation." -Abby Triplett

"OU isn't even in the top five list for party schools anymore. The university does so much to provide their students with alternative activities to drinking...The university has done so much to rebrand. People calling OU a party school not only makes people assume that you aren't a good or serious student, but it also devalues your degree, which is something that no Bobcat wants." -Olivia Dixon

"I am usually upset when someone refers to OU as a party school because you could say that about any college and there are many students that go to OU that are there for the education, not for the parties. Tons of successful people have gone to OU and made something out of it. It's not just partying in Athens, despite what everyone says." -Jacob Thompson

"We have the #15 business school; it just goes to show you that any school can be a party school." -Lauren Adcock

"Any school can be a party school. Do Bobcats party? Yes, but no more than students at any other university. Call OU a party school if you want, but it's really just like any other university...except that our campus is prettier and our programs are better." -Mikaela Ashburn

"...During my first week at OU, my learning community leader said 'party hard, work harder', and it's a motto that I think OU lives by." -Kailey Lowe

"I usually have to restrain myself from getting annoyed. While people party regularly at OU, it's also an academically rigorous college that requires more focus than what one expects from a 'party school'." -Roman Palma

"I wouldn't know; I've been too busy maintaining my high GPA so I can keep up with the rest of our school since we're top in academics as well." -Kylie Witters

"OU is a party school, but every school is a party school. I think OSU has even bigger parties than OU. Ohio University is just known as a party school because we've been partying the longest." -Shelly Lisle

"We aren't the only school out there that parties. All schools party and like to have fun, we just get our reputation because of Halloween. And yes, many students do party a lot here, but that doesn't mean we aren't hardworking and committed to be the best students we can be." -Camryn Burcham

"Most of the time, the only people who say that OU is a party school are my family members and I typically respond by saying that yes, OU is a party school, but so is the University of Illinois and I'm not paying out-of-state tuition to party; I'm paying for my education." -Cara Tee

"I feel that most people give us the title of a party school because of the amount of fests and bars we have. People just assume that, but I believe that OU is one of the best colleges in Ohio. College is a place to learn and to receive an education. Students here know that and are determined to focus on school." -Joe Cogan

"OU definitely has an atmosphere of going out and doesn't always encourage healthy drinking habits. But this can be the case at any school...There are so many things to do besides get drunk here. OU is not perfect. Even though there is a culture of drinking, not drinking alcohol doesn't make you any less of a Bobcat." -Jordann Schach