Although Boston University ranked 15th in Playboy Magazine’s 1987 “best party school” survey, many students doubt it will place anywhere in the magazine’s latest poll.

This year, the magazine is looking to award one lucky college the crown of “best party school.” A take off from the top 40 list that was featured in the 1987 college edition, Playboy is looking for students to call or email to them stories that show why their school should qualify for the title.

“We’re looking for wild stories about beautiful women,” said Playboy Associate Editor Allison Lundgren.

Playboy magazine decided to reinstate the list after an urban legend lead readers to believe the magazine holds the contest annually, according to Lundgren.

“We only did the survey in 1987 … Playboy doesn’t rank party schools every year,” Lundgren said.

The contest will be conducted in two phases. In the first phase, Playboy is asking all students to write in and state why their school is the wildest party school in the nation. In the second phase, the magazine will visit the most billed schools to determine the reality of the schools’ “partying abilities.” The top 40 will be listed in the October 2002 college edition.

BU students said they had little hope of making the top 40.

“A party school means that students don’t have work that requires a lot of

time, so they have a lot of free time,” said College of General Studies sophomore Christopher Morales. “BU is not a party school because everyone has so much homework to do during the week.”

According to CGS freshman Jason Factor, BU is not a good party school because of its lack of school spirit and athletic teams.

“Our hockey stadium only seats [3,806] people so most people don’t go. Florida State’s [football] stadium seats about 80,000 people, so a lot of people party before and after the game … it creates a different environment,” Factor said.

So what are the essential criteria? According to Marlies Roberts a College of Arts and Sciences sophomore, a school with a prominent sorority and fraternity community will have a better partying environment.

“But BU is a fun school, there’s a lot of stuff going on,” Roberts said. “Being in the city there are lots of clubs and people do that instead.”

Other students agreed a party school must be isolated, leaving school parties the only option for fun.

“When isolated from other means of entertainment the only thing to do is party,” Morales said. “At BU there are other outlets for enjoyment … BU’s policy on partying in the dorm is related to our location.”

“BU itself doesn’t have a lot of parties,” said CAS sophomore Katie Hart. “But going to BU gives students the opportunity to party at different bars, clubs and house parties.”

Students said fewer restrictions would help a school to capture the title.

“We have too many rules,” said CGS freshman Franklin Williams. “For example, if you live in Sleeper Hall you can’t even get into Rich Hall after midnight; that’s when the parties start.”

Another key factor is warm weather, obviously playing a role in California State University at Chico’s victory in 1987. Fraternities, sororities and big name sports teams were also widely agreed upon by students in order to meet the criteria of a party school.

The school that has already sent the most nominations to the Playboy staff is Rollins College in Florida. Louisiana State, Michigan State and Florida State Universities have also sent bids, according to Lundgren.

While BU may not rank for best party school in the nation, students said BU is a top competitor in the area. “We are definitely one of the better party schools in Boston,” said CAS sophomore Michelle Alter.

“Maybe BC is a better party school that BU,” Factor said. “But they’re not really in Boston … so no one is better than BU here.”