Partying may be the focus of weekends for some, but students who applied to N.C. State said this was not a central factor in their decisions for college.

While NCSU is the largest university in North Carolina with 33,000 students, it didn’t make the Princeton Review’s “Top Party Schools” list.

Among the top five were, University of Florida, University of Mississippi, Penn State University, West Virginia University and Ohio University.

“I’m surprised that Mississippi was on the party list. As a foreigner, Mississippi doesn’t seam like the coolest partying place,” Darya Kostina, a graduate student in socio-linguistics from Russia, said.

Kostina, also a Fulbright Scholar, said she is focused on her education.

“If I had to choose between a party school and a school with good academics I would definitely choose the latter,” Kostina said.

Kostina said in general, she felt most parties consisted of freshmen packed events that involved excessive drinking and that just isn’t what she enjoys.

“Fun is a very peculiar definition because it depends on which students you ask,” she said.

Alison Citron, a senior in graphic design, agreed.

“It’s a good thing we weren’t on the list because we have really good parties, but we also have a lot of motivated people,” Citron said. “If we were known for being a party school, we would attract people that would only be into partying and I don’t think they would take their academics seriously.”

According to the Princeton Review, the University of Florida, number one on the list, is a good party school because of its active Greek life and Gainesville’s lively vibe.

“I expected Florida to be on the list, but I don’t really do my research on party schools, so the rest that made it, I can’t judge,” John Hubbard, a junior in communication, said.

Unlike Kostina, Hubbard said he felt that the University should have made the Princeton Review’s list.

“It’s kind of sad because my school should be on all lists,” Hubbard said.

Curran Hoffman, a junior in anthropology, disagreed.

“I’m glad we weren’t on the list because I came to N.C. State to learn. If we were on the list then we’d attract too many hooligans,” Hoffman said.

However, Parker Olsen, a senior in wildlife management, said this may have deterred students from the University.

“I bet that some kids did turn away from NCSU because we weren’t on the list, but I hope it didn’t too much because … my opinion is you don’t have to go to a party school to have a fun college experience. I mean, really it’s about having a good time with good people,” Olsen said.

Olsen stressed that what determines the value of a fun college experience is not the location.

“To me it’s not about where you’re at, it’s about who you’re with. I mean just as long as you have a good group, you’re set,” he said.

And he said not making it on the list may have more positives that outweigh the negatives.

“Basically, I’d say it’s good we’re not on the list because we can still have a great time without having to be raging alcoholics,” Olsen said.

Hubbard said he felt that just because the University wasn’t on the party school list that it didn’t lessen the school’s attractive nature.

“Had I been a senior in high school and known [about the ranking] I still would have applied, and I don’t think it stopped anyone from applying this year,” Hubbard said.

Hoffman agreed.

“I’m not surprised about Florida and I think that being known for a party school doesn’t factor very much into prospective college students’ decision,” Hoffman said.

Like Citron, Hoffman said he felt NCSU students know how to party but with modesty.

“We are a good party school — we’re just under the radar,” Hoffman said.

 James Upright, a senior in psychology, echoed sentiments that being at the University was not about the partying aspect.

 ”Honestly, I don’t consider N.C. State a party school and I don’t even think I considered the party aspect of college because I was just looking for a good engineering program,” Upright said.