Survey: UI No. 2 "Party School" in U.S.

By Jillian Petrus & Diane Heldt, Reporters

A man crosses Iowa Avenue in downtown Iowa City near the University of Iowa Campus Tuesday, June 14, 2011. The UI and the City of Iowa City have been working together on a variety of projects and have make improvements to their relationship over the last few years. (Brian Ray/ SourceMedia Group News)

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By Jay Knoll

Story Created: Aug 20, 2012 at 11:17 PM CDT

Story Updated: Aug 20, 2012 at 11:19 PM CDT

IOWA CITY, Iowa - The University of Iowa is the nation's second-ranked "party school," according to an annual review that ranks things such as academics, campus life, politics and extracurricular involvement.

The Princeton Review ranks the UI second on the party school list in its 2013 guide, right behind West Virginia University. Ohio University in Athens, the University of Illinois and the University of Georgia round out the top five.

See more about the rankings and the lists in other categories at www.princetonreview.com. The 2013 edition of the "Best 377 College" from the Princeton Review comes out Tuesday.

The Princeton Review survey asked 122,000 students at 377 top colleges to rate their school on dozens of topics for 62 ranking lists put out by the company. An average of 324 students per campus took part in the 80-question survey during the 2011-12 year and/or the previous two school years, the company says.

Upon hearing the UI moved from 4th to 2nd this year, University of Iowa Spokesperson Tom Moore said, "The Princeton Review is a stand out for their complete lack of objective, scientific methodology." Moore also pointed out that students surveyed by the Review called Iowa a "Big Ten university full of exciting opportunities" while having "a small college feel", "great education at a reasonable price".

2012 data from the National College Health Assessment also shows the UI is making progress with their ongoing effort to combat binge drinking on campus.

The study found high risk drinking at the UI is at a ten year low. Overall drinking reported by students is at a twenty year low, and students say they are having fewer drinks on a given night.

"I think everyone just likes to have a good time and go to the games and represent our school," said UI sophomore, Jamie Seibert. Seibert says this attitude at Iowa's notoriously rowdy football tailgates might contribute to the reputation for being a 'party school'.

Even that reputation doesn't seem to have a major impact on students choosing a hawkeye education.

"That didn't sway me," said UI student Quinn Chen, a first year in the College of Dentistry. "In my case, I'm here to focus, but also have fun in moderation."

It would seem many other students are following suit with Chen. The Carver College of Medicine remains a top pick for future health professionals nationwide. The Tippie College of Business holds high rank for accounting and finance programs. These numbers suggest Hawkeyes have to be doing more than just chugging beers.

"My experience has been a very intense academic environment," said UI Speech and Hearing student, Darcey Hull. "But I guess, like everything in life, it's what you make it."

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