Upon meeting someone who attended an American college or university, there is one question that almost everyone from outside America asks. Is college really like what is seen in the movies? The easy answer would be that it depends on the movie that is being watched, but yes. Yes, it is. There is no way that a 2-hour film could ever fully explain what it is like to go to college. From course selection to college traditions, the insanity that is the American college experience is made up of so many different things. Here are 40 of the events and moments that prove how insane American college could be.
1. 'Pledge Week'
The decisions new students are faced with can be plentiful and rather overwhelming at times. Aside from choosing their courses, students are also forced to decide if brotherhood/sisterhood, is right for them.
Greek sororities and fraternities are almost exclusive to American institutions. Members of these houses are taught that brotherhood and sisterhood will be with them throughout their lives but in order to join they usually endure a hazing ritual that is unique to each fraternity or sorority.
2. 'Home, Sweet Home'
If the existence of college fraternities and sororities was not odd enough, the amount of money that goes into housing some of these brother/sisterhoods is just insane.
When it opened in preparation for the 2016 school year, the Phi Mu sorority house in Alabama, housed 68 sisters and cost just shy of $13 million dollars to build.
3. 'Nice To Meet Ya'
Student Orientation week is the week leading up to the first day of classes. It is a fantastic way for first-year students to begin integrating into the college lifestyle from the get-go.
Full of team-building activities that are circulated around debaucherous activities of all sorts, 'Frosh Week' is generally when first-year students meet those with whom they will be spending four of the most formidable years of their lives with.
4. 'It's In The Game'
College sports are such an integral part of American culture that there are even video games based on them. It's crazy to think that some countries won't stock professional sports games, yet they'll have American college sports games on their shelves.
In Australia, it's tough to find a hockey game, in Canada it's a rarity to find a rugby-based game, but one thing both countries have in common is that American college basketball and football games will be on display.
5. 'That Thing Is Huge'
It would be rather difficult to find a country whose colleges dedicate as much money to sports, as America does. To say that college sports stadiums are massive would be quite an understatement.
If any more proof was needed that college sports are kind of a big deal in the States, there are 16 NCAA football stadiums that can hold more fans than the NFL's largest stadium.
6. 'The Long Walk Home'
One part of the college experience that is looked forward to the most by students in America, is living on one's university or college campus.
In most other countries, students usually only live on campus for their first year of schooling or if they are coming in from another city or town. In America, it is a right of passage to live on campus for the duration of one's college career.
7. 'Hey Roomie'
Living on campus may have a number of benefits, however, it also has its downsides. Across Europe, when living on campus, most students have their own room or at least their own space. This is not quite the case in the states.
The majority of the dorm rooms in American colleges and universities are home to at least two, and sometimes three students. The college experience is more like a 4 year long overnight camp for young adults.
8. 'Not Just A Fad'
College clothing is usually something that students or the occasional alumni could be seen wearing. Colleges have full stores dedicated to selling school apparel and it doesn't stop there.
American college clothing can be seen for sale in countries right across Europe and Australasia. Colleges have become their own worldwide brands and wearing college hoodies or caps has become a style.
9. 'That Tree Smells Funny'
Every college has its own crazy quirks and traditions that cause its students to feel a certain connection to the school that other people will just never understand. Murray State has its Shoe Tree.
The Shoe Tree stands next to Pogue Library and is a symbol of eternal love. This eyesore is believed to bring luck to all those who got married after meeting on campus at Murray State. After marriage, if the couple returns to campus and nails a pair of mismatched shoes to the tree, the luck they seek will be theirs.
10. 'Toga, Toga, Toga!'
The American college experience is such a large event, that Hollywood makes movies about it. The 70s gave us the frat boys of the 'Animal House' and then a few decades later we were introduced to Stiffler and the guys from 'American Pie'. For more than 40 years, college life has either imitated art or art has been imitating life.
Individuals who have gone to school outside of America are generally rather amazed to find out that, the truth of the matter is, the reality is not far off from what is shown in the movies.
11. 'Whose House Is This Anyway?'
Anyone who has lived in off-campus housing will agree that the experience had more than just a few winning qualities. House parties, and not having to follow the guidelines of living on college property are just a few of the many perks.
Waking up to the sound of a flatmate calling from the bottom of the steps, and seeing an endless amount of red plastic cups everywhere can only mean one thing. It was Wednesday.
12. 'What's The Secret Handshake?'
Colleges nationwide have their own myths and legends that are passed down from generation to generation of students. One of the crazier things about American colleges is that many of them actually have secret societies similar to the ones we'd see in the movies.
None of them are on the scale of the Da Vinci Code, but some have some crazy stories behind them like the Sphinx Tomb at Dartmouth whose society was founded in 1885.
13. "Mae G'Ovannen!" (Well Met)
Language courses are extremely common for students to take. Many of the languages can be quite useful later in life if the student decides to work on the international level in some way. Some languages which students choose to learn are about as useful as a concrete parachute.
The University of Wisconsin offers a course in how to speak Elvish. Yes, Elvish. As in the language that J. R. R. Tolkien created for The Lord Of The Rings. There may be more people in the United States who speak Elvish than Latin, now that is insane.
14. "In Every Generation, There Is A Chosen One"
There have been college courses on everything from the physics of Star Trek to the studying of the made-up Elvish language from The Lord of The Rings series. Emerson College, in Boston, is one of the educational institutions in America that offers courses in Buffy Studies.
There are a handful of schools across the States that have dedicated an entire course to studying the ins and outs of the socio-cultural significance of Buffy The Vampire Slayer. The long-running TV series by Joss Whedon touched on a wide range of taboo topics at the time, such as homosexuality and feminism.
15. 'Don't Forget To Breathe'
On occasion, the insanity that is derived from an American college does some actual good. North Carolina State University has found a way to connect two of the things they love most, athletics and donuts.
Students at North Carolina State have been organizing the Krispy Kreme Challenge since 2006. It is an event that brings the entire community together. Running for the North Carolina Children's Hospital, the more than 8000 participants run 2.5 miles to the local Krispy Kreme, inhale a dozen donuts, and then make the return trip to the start line.
16. 'I Hope It's Worth It'
The average annual cost for a college education in America is so high that many Americans end up paying back student loans well into their adult lives.
In the 2020/2021 school year, public colleges charged an average of $9,500 while private colleges cost an average of around $35,000 a year. When compared with similar countries around the world, those costs are an outrageous amount of money for these schools to charge.
17. 'Watch Out Below'
Climbing trees was something that almost all of us did as children. It was a fantastic way to see the world from a different point of view, and quite frankly, it was just fun. Upon growing older, some people find it harder than others to let go of some of the childish activities in which we used to partake.
The Ivy League institution of Cornell University has the solution for all those who are suffering from 'Peter Pan Syndrome'. They offer a course in tree climbing. While assessing the hazards which tree climbing could entail, students can elevate their levels of basic tree knowledge whilst they camp on treetop platforms.
18. 'Still Just A Rat In A Cage'
The physics departments from some universities have the tradition of dropping pumpkins from the top of a tall building. All in the name of science, of course. Dropping pumpkins from more than 20 floors up has nothing to do with science at MIT.
On the last Saturday of every October, spectators watch from a safe distance as the students who reside in the smallest wing of the East Campus at MIT head to the roof of the Cecil and Ida Green building, where they, in turn, hurl pumpkins down towards the ground.
19. 'Disney Princess Or Buzz Lightyear?'
There are certain days that university and college students wait for all year. Over the course of the school year, there are just a handful of these days, and Halloween is right up at the top of that list. Halloween is something special for North Americans but it's Christmas for college students.
Other than Homecoming, Halloween is usually the biggest party of the year. From block parties to terrifyingly revealing costumes, and everything in between, there are no holds barred on Halloween. It is the craziest weekend of the year and the root of many stories that will be told for generations to come.
21. 'Howdy Ho'
In August of 1997, America was introduced to four schoolgoing boys and the crazy town in which they live. After the first few seasons, South Park found its footing. As a result of the issues which the show touches on, and its passive-aggressive methods in portraying these topics, there are colleges that now offer courses in South Park Studies.
The City University of New York offers a course in 'South Park and Political Correctness' while McDaniel College in Maryland offers a course that looks at individual episodes of South Park, and touches on the real-world social and political issues on which Trey Parker and Matt Stone focus.
20. 'Slobbering Up The Competition'
College mascots are not only a huge part of the college culture but part of the students' identity as well. An individual who attends Duke University is not a student, but a 'Blue Devil'.
Some schools go further than simply having someone dress up in a ridiculous mascot costume. An academic institution such as Georgetown has an actual Bulldog as their mascot. He waddles out onto the field for each game and shows what true school spirit is all about.
22. 'Mmm, Trailmix'
Extra-curricular activities are a great way to break up the school week and meet new people. Some students choose to partake in intramural sports, while others choose a more unique way to occupy their time.
At the University of Michigan, students have started a squirrel club. The main focus is not to learn about squirrels, but to spend time outside feeding nuts to them instead.
23. 'R.I.P.'
If the popularity of collegiate sports and the size of college stadiums were not insane enough, the Florida State Seminoles have taken to psychological warfare for their rivalries.
The Seminoles take a piece of the grass/turf, from the stadium that is home to any victory in which they are the underdog on the road, a victory against the rival Florida Gators, or any Bowl game in which they appear. The piece of sod is then placed in the Sod Cemetery that sits outside the football team's practice field. To date, there are more than plots in the cemetery.
24. "Is Not Easy Being Green"
Commencement is a very special time for a student. It is the culmination of years of hard work. Most schools invite famous writers, politicians, or local heroes to give the commencement speech to the graduates. The speech is meant to inspire the graduates to achieve greatness.
In 1996, Southampton College invited the most famous puppet in the world to the campus in order to deliver the commencement speech. Only in American would a muppet attempt to inspire the leaders of tomorrow. As a thank you to Kermit The Frog, the college gave him an honorary doctorate in Amphibious Letters.
25. 'Don't Forget The Silver Bullets'
Georgetown University has the distinction for having had parts of 1973's iconic horror film, The Exorcist, filmed on campus. Each year since the film was released, students have shown their respect for the film in their own uniquely insane ways.
The Exorcist is screened on campus on Halloween every year and set to finish just before midnight. As midnight approaches, Georgetown students campus-wide, gather at their windows and howl loudly at the moon. Performing The Healy Howl as one united pack is something that only a true Bulldog will be able to understand.
26. 'Need A Spotter?'
College campuses in America are built to operate like small cities. Each has a selection of on-campus restaurants and stores, but the creme da la creme is usually the campus recreation center.
Some campuses now have climbing walls accompanying the Olympic size swimming pools that are located inside their rec centers. In order to accommodate a large number of students, these complexes could sometimes be 3 or 4 floors and cost tens of millions of dollars to build.
27. "You Can Do It!"
The majority of colleges and universities in America are located outside of the cities. In these towns, there is usually not much going on that is not school-related.
College Towns are a reality in America. They are entire towns, whose existences are dependant upon the student economy. The result is usually a deep-rooted commitment to the local university, by the local townspeople.
28. 'A School For Everyone'
Individuals from outside of the States find the number of post-secondary academic institutions in America to be absolutely insane. All of Canada has around 100 universities while in the USA there are three states that have more than 200 colleges each.
There are more than five thousand colleges and universities in the United States that delegate approximately two million scholarships combined every year.
29. 'Don't Stop Me Now'
The idea of a deceased person coming back to life with the sole desire to eat the brains of the living is just horrible. There have been a seemingly endless amount of horror films and TV shows that focus on the subject, and more people than are willing to admit, have thought about what they would do in case of a zombie apocalypse. Michigan State University, is just one of the academic institutions in America that have begun to offer a course based around the, ever prepared for, zombie apocalypse.
Throughout the course, students explore the human psychology and behavior of experiencing the catastrophe, and how different individuals may react in different situations. With a small focus on survival techniques of course.
30. 'AAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!'
If someone were passing by Harvard's campus the day before final exams, they just may feel as though they have walked onto the set of a horror movie.
At midnight, on the eve of finals, Harvard students throw on their birthday suits and do a lap around Harvard Yard while unleashing terrifying primal screams along the way. It is an excellent way to relieve stress just before end-of-term exams.
31. 'Shiver Me Timbers'
If a student fulfills the full range of their physical education requirements, they receive an official 'Pirate Certification' from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
That's right. For anyone who has dreamt of being a pirate, MIT is helping to make it a reality. All it takes to become certified by the institution is the completion of the fencing, sailing, gun shooting, and archery courses.
32. 'Class of '84'
When most students graduate from their post-secondary institutions it does not take long before they let go of college life and begin to integrate into the adult world, however, some find it difficult to move on.
It is not a rarity to find grown men and women who still bleed their school's colors. There is a certain connection which Americans have with their colleges that other countries will never understand.
33. 'Heck No, We Won't Go'
College students are known for their constant need to protest anything and everything which they deem to be unfair or unjust.
Although most of the time, the protests are quite justified, there are always the mobs of peaceful student protesters who didn't have anything better to do than to make up some signs and head on down to the campus square, most likely in hopes of impressing a fellow student.
34. 'Keg-Stand Anyone?'
College parties in the States have gained much popularity through the years because of one key component. The keg.
Keggers have become a staple at house parties nationwide. At $10 a head for bottomless cups of beer, they bring out the best and worst of people, and attendees usually depart with a bit less dignity than when they arrived.
35. 'See Ya Next Term'
After many hours of cramming for finals and too many sleepless nights, the term is finally over. It's time to head on out to the first of many, end-of-term house parties.
The week following the last final of the term is full of debauchery on a level that most did not know themselves capable of. The only proper way to end a term is by hopping from one house party to the next and enjoying all the thrills that come with listening to a student DJ and jumping around in a drunken crowd of like-minded people.
36. 'Perfect Locale'
California's, Pomona College is one of the only collegiate institutes in the world where it is possible to go on a ski trip and catch a wave, both on the same day.
Ski-Beach Day has become an annual tradition for students who attend Pomona College. Located less than 25 miles from both the San Gabriel Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Pomona students have been taking full advantage of the early spring since as far back as 1891.
37. 'Zero Visibility'
Colleges all over the States have their own unique traditions. Traditions that only alumni of the school could ever truly understand. Virginia Tech's Cadet vs Civilian annual snowball fight is an event that is unmatched by those at other universities.
When a VTech student wakes up to see the first snowfall of the season blanketing the ground, they know to prepare themselves for battle. On the day of the first snowfall every year, the sound of the fire alarm can be heard signaling the start of a campus-wide snowball fight. The teams are simple, cadets vs everyone else.
38. 'Gotta Cut Loose'
Carleton College has become known for more than one, out of the ordinary collegiate traditions. Every year, just before finals, students campus-wide unwind together.
Students at Carleton College, sync-up to a shared playlist, throw on their headphones, and silent disco themselves through the library and around campus. Occasionally, the disco even works its way into town.
39. 'SPRING BREAK, BABY!!!'
In a normal year (not hampered by Covid-19 restrictions), and under regular circumstances, every year in March or April, students across the country head down to Florida for Spring Break.
Spring Break is the biggest party of the year. It is the one time of the year that students from all over the nation come together with just one goal in mind. Having the best week of their lives. These parties have thousands of attendees and result in absolute chaos. Spring Break became so popular for its insanity that the Girls Gone Wild film series even had its Spring Break Special.
40. 'Let Me Be The First Person To Present, The Class Of 2021'
Commencement is the culmination of many hard years of work and many long nights of partying for the soon-to-be graduates.
Only in America, would a college graduation ceremony warrant filling up a professional sports stadium with graduates and their families.