Congrats and have fun!

Sorry - you won't find "beautful fashionable people" in South Beach in July/August -- too hot.

New Orleans always rocks, however.

As does New York.

Key West to a lesser extent, but more than Miami.

I think if it were me, I'd go for Vegas. You get lots of good shopping, great food, and many opportunities for rowdiness! Plus I think they have better vacation packages, which frees up more monies for $hopping!

I think it smells better in Vegas too.

August is very hot in Las Vegas, New Orleans, Mexico, etc. But this may work to your advantage as you will likely get much lower rates. I would vote for Las Vegas or Cancun. If you need an "excuse" to go to either place, you could always do a day trip to see Grand Canyon or Mayan ruins. Problem with some of the real cities (NY, Chicago) is that you have to get from hotel to bar to restaurant - I think you may want a more limited geography.

Regarding Provincetown - it is a great place and would have, on a somewhat more low key scale, everything you want. But you should be aware that it also has a larger than average gay/lesbian population and vacationers. And before I start to get flamed - I am telling you this just so you can be an informed traveler. I have vacationed there with my husband and later with my husband and kids and had a great time.

Here's one: Newport, RI. During the summer it is so overun by 20-somethings in a drinking mood that locals dub it "Zooport". Plus you have the beach, shopping, and historical sights to amuse you during the brief time of day you'll be sober. Like other recommendations here, there is a main drag where most of the bars are, so no car needed for partying.

N'Awlins!!

Concur that Vegas or New Orleans will be the best options. At I'd for Vegas. For two 24 year olds, you'd probably want to think about staying at either the Hard Rock, the Palms, or Mandalay Bay.

So come summer all the beautiful fashionable people leave Miami and there are none to be found? Sure thing. I think it's safe to say Miami is a hipper more in-style town than some of the other options and that is worth keeping in mind.

Wait a sec, is the OP traveling in August or starting her PhD in August? I don't think it is clear from the original post.

Time of year makes a huge difference.

I was thinking they were done with school by the begining of May? I'd want to go then.

Going for the PhD in August and have to defend the Master's and move in May, so probably want to travel in June or July. Thank you for all the help! It is wonderful!

Yikes!

Early June is the very latest I'd travel to New Orleans, South Beach, or Vegas.

Talk about hot! Welcome to hell. July and August in New Orleans, South Beach, or Vegas.

You'll get better deals in early June also.

Is this possible?

Try Miami, specifically South Beach. It is fun and gorgeous with lots of great places to go drink and awesome shopping. I would reccomend the Clevlander for mojitos, Wet Willes for any of their drinks, and the Palace for the BEST bloody Mary's you'll ever have, not to mention, incredible food.
If you hit the Keys, only a short drive away, Duval street in Key West is fun. You have to stop on the way down at Islamorada (I think it is part of Key Largo), at the Holiday Isle, they have the best Pina Coladas that I have ever had. Enjoy.

I love New Orleans, but I would never, ever step foot in that city in the summer again! The humiditiy is overwhelming. Then again, Vegas in the summer can be incredibly hot. A very dry - makes you dizzy - kind of heat. But the hotels are ever so air conditioned. Of the two, I'd pick Vegas for a summer visit!

Have a great time.

Last October was much hotter than August and our high yesterday (FEBRUARY) was 87, so you just never know.

My two first thoughts were also New Orleans or Las Vegas. I would probably pick Las Vegas - less humidity and you can pick up some really good deals in the warmer months. In Las Vegas you might also be able to sit by the pool depending on how hot it is and you won't be sweating the moment you walk out the door.

Mexico City.
M

My vote is definitely for Vegas. It's dry heat there, so no humidity like NO, and no bad hair days. And there's always a chance you could win back some of the money that you've spent...or not - there are always eager guys around to buy your drinks in Vegas. My 3 friends and I had a blast last summer, so we're going back this summer! We went in June, and it was really hot, so be prepared. But all we did was lay around by the pool and wait for our hangovers to wear off for the night ahead.

Have fun!

A mechanical bull in the French Quarter, neworleanslady? Now that is just a bad idea (but I love it!). My vote would definitely be for New Orleans, although I am unabashedly biased. (But even if I was trying to be objective, your plans scream for New Orleans.) BTW, Key West will be scorching in June/July (and I like my temperature in the 90s).

Many good ideas here, but I'm with OneWanderingJew. If you want to drink yourself into oblivion, stay at an all-inclusive resort in Cancun. Of course, there's nightlife galore outside your hotel too. A cruise would be my second choice.

Congrats on the degree!!

I've also engaged in drunken revelry in New Orleans, Las Vegas, and Key West, but since there have been so many comments about hot weather, I'm gonna add a totally different idea:
Lake Tahoe.
One of my favorites.