Wheaton College-Norton Top Questions

Wheaton's home of Norton, MA is far from the social-center of the universe. Wheaton's geography combined with its lack of student parking can make off-campus fun require some work and planning. Public transportation allows easy access to nearby shopping centers and malls, as well as the cities of Boston and Providence, where there is never a shortage of activity. Despite its location, Wheaton does a wonderful job of providing on-campus activities for its students ranging from dances, to theater productions, to guest speakers. The Loft is Wheaton's on-campus pub, where students can enjoy a variety of fried foods and drinks, and often listen to live music or stand up comics. There is also the Lyon's Den, and on-campus coffee shop boasting a warm, cozy atmosphere and low-key environment. There are no fraternities or sororities at Wheaton, but there are numerous off-campus "sports houses" that are basically the same thing. There is always a level of partying (and drinking) at Wheaton, but there is no pressure to drink if you don't want to. Additionally, BACCHUS, Wheaton's student-run entertainment group offers multiple sober activities, ranging from theater trips to Boston, to free, big-screen, pre-release movies. Wheaton also has several popular (and entertaining) student groups revolved around music, songs, and dance.

I am involved in Wheaton Christian Fellowship. I get support there and it's nice to do something on a school night besides homework. It's hard to find something to do on the weekends on campus. We usually eat out and then hang out in our dorm rooms. I know there are people who drink, but not everyone does, or not everyone does it excessively.

There is not much to do at night, mainly do the sadness of Norton, but if you want to party, there's generally one that you can find. Most people date off campus. Wheaton was a all-girl's school about 19 years ago, and like most colleges has more girls than guys. The nice thing about Wheaton is that there is drinking-fun and non-drinking-fun to be had. If you don't want to drink you don't have to, and you won't miss out on anything other than drinking. You can see where my loyalty lies. There aren't any greek organizations on our campus. Mostly Saturday night plans focus on going to either Boston or Providence. There is a club on campus, Bacchus, which, despite its name, promotes non-drinking events. They always sponser a free movie on some Friday and Saturday nights. Its a grat way to see movies that are current, but not yet out on DVD, and for free!

Not a big party school. Boston and Providence are both close and accesible. The town is typical small town USA. Wrentham outlets is nearby which is a great place to shop. Dances are usually a hot spot on the weekends.

If I'm awake on Tuesday at 2am I am either in the library or my dorm doing work.

I think people are generally friendly on this campus, but again it's on a person to person ratio. During the early part and the last part of the year I keep my door open to get air and to say hi to people on my floor. During the winter months I close my door to keep the heat in because I hate being cold. I think the events offered at Wheaton are popular to a certain degree. People like going to the student concerts and the student comedians. Other than that, I guess it just depends on the event in question. I met my closest friends because we lived within three doors of eachother my freshmen year and I was roommates with one of them. I pretty much spend most of my free time with them, doing homework together, eating, watching movies, playing games, shopping, or just talking. It is a time where I really don't want to go home on the weekends and during breaks. There are a few traditions that Wheaton has, but the biggest one is Spring Weekend. There are dances, a mini-carnival thing, a band is hired every year, and there is a BBQ. Also, every Thursday night, a different band comes to sing in the little restaurant area called the Loft. These nights are usually pretty fun and there's always free pizza.

Lots of dances, spring weekend is a good time (boat race, lacrosse game, etc.).

What dating scene? We still feel primarily like an all-girls school. The girls seem to be more driven and intelligent than the men that are admitted to Wheaton. Usually you bond with the students on your floor and in your classes. Nearly everything revolves around drinking, and there is not much to do otherwise. If you're not in the drinking scene, your best bet is to do your homework or watch a movie. Off campus is all about Providence/Boston.

There are dozens and dozens of groups to get involved with on campus. And if there isn't a group that interests you, it's very easy to start your own! Dances, a capella performances and free movies are the weekly norm. Small gatherings of friends in a dorm room is somewhat more common than the large party scene, though those are available at campus and off-campus houses. It's easy to get to both Providence and Boston, and while it isn't a regular occurrence, every weekend type of thing, students will go spend a night in either city occasionally with a group of friends. Wheaton also hosts several Boston/Providence Connections which are popular. You will pay $5 or $10 to get a ride into the city, get dinner and see a movie/theatre event. The events differ but it's always a GREAT deal!

There is much to do at Wheaton because the campus is so active. The parties are great and do not exclude any type of student. Students usually leave their doors open in their dorm because everyone in a dorm, especially those on the same floor, are very close. The theater is great, and we often have interesting guest speakers. All of my closest friends live in my dorm and we met because of how close the dorm is as a whole. If im awake on a Tuesday night, im probably at the library studying. Spring weekend every year is usually great, and the entertainment is always good. Most parties take place from thursday night into the weekend, and there are no major fraternities on campus other than Phi Beta Kappa (academic honors society). On any given night, there are always a number of campus sponsored events that students can involve themselves with without feeling required to drink.