By Maggie Haskins

4. DARTMOUTH

It was here amidst the fraternities and sororities of Dartmouth that Otto, Boon and Bluto first sprang to life. The fictional Deltas in Animal House were based on the debauchery of Dartmouth's Greek system. Though the administration has tried to curb the role of frats on campus in recent years (the school canceled Psi Upsilon's keg-jumping competition), the Greeks at Dartmouth stay alive inspired perhaps by Bluto's speech, "Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?"

It's no wonder that Greek life dominates the social scene, considering Dartmouth is the most rural of the Ivies, located in Hanover, N.H. Outdoor life is central to the school's traditions and athletic achievements. The women's ice hockey team is consistently one of the best in the nation, qualifying for three Frozen Fours since 2001 ('01, '03, '04).

5. CORNELL

Hockey is the athletic center at Cornell. Though the past couple of years haven't been kind to the Big Red, the Lynah Rink is the best place in the Ivy League and among the top five in the country for watching a game. Hockey's success helps counter the futility of the men's basketball and football programs. The second hottest event on Cornell's campus is the Victory Club party, hosted by Alpha Delta Phi, a black-tie charity event that allows legal gaming. Of course, Cornell's ability to throw good parties is not a surprise considering it houses the nation's premiere hotel administration school. But no matter how hard students try to convince us that Ithaca isn't all that bad, it's still Ithaca.

6. HARVARD

When you think of the Ivy League, you think of Harvard. That doesn't mean it's the best of the group to road-trip to. Harvard students know how to study and they know how to party. Sadly, the city of Cambridge's early bar curfew tends to hamper the latter. Though "the Kong" is still around, the Harvard bar scene took a massive hit four years ago when the Crimson Sports Bar and Grill closed. Harvard's eight Finals Clubs help share the social burden. If you get past all the pretension (members are males only), Finals Clubs are a lot of fun. While the clubs' names are a little much (examples: the Spee, the Fly, the Phoenix), the clubs own ridiculously sweet mansions in Cambridge that are perfect party destinations.

When it comes to sports, Harvard boasts the largest D-I athletic program in the nation with 41 varsity sports and more than 1,500 athletes. Because it's Harvard, top-tier athletes looking for an Ivy education tend to flock to the school, making every Harvard team tough to beat. Last year the football team was the only Div. I-AA program to go undefeated, but postseason football is a no-no for the Ancient Eight they didn't go to the playoffs.

7. PENN

When it comes to big-time sports in the Ivy League, Penn is a power in both football and men's basketball. The football team has won three of the last five league titles, while basketball has made eight NCAA tournament appearances since 1988, winning nine Ivy titles in the process. Yet the Quakers of West Philly can't quite top their Ivy counterparts in campus pride. Penn football is good, but with the stadium surrounded by city streets, tailgating is virtually nonexistent. Students also fail to get psyched up for the Penn Relays, one of the oldest and most prestigious outdoor track and field tournaments. There aren't even relay-themed parties.

8. COLUMBIA

Yes, Columbia is in New York City, and New York City is awesome, but no one ever goes to NYC to visit Columbia. You might have a friend at Columbia or hang out at a Columbia bar for a night, but you don't plan your NYC trip around the happenings in Morningside Heights. If Columbia were located near Washington Square Park like NYU, then it might not find itself at No. 8 on the list.

It certainly doesn't help that the Lions' football team is notorious for its record-setting 44-game losing streak during the 1980s. Lost and Party of Five star Matthew Fox was a wide receiver on the team that finally broke the streak against Princeton in 1988.

Perhaps the Lions would have more recruiting success if their outdoor fields weren't 100 blocks north of the main campus. Going to a Columbia football game means taking the train for a half hour on a Saturday morning. Doesn't really sound like a fun tailgate.

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