Fraternities and sororities

5 comments

1. >Or is it just another networking avenue (for the privilege it looks like, feel free to correct me if I’m wrong).

   Its mostly this. Its an opportunity to build some relationships with other people with similar long term goals and likely also more means.

   The parties are a bonus.

2. It’s many things.

   It’s an immediate group of friends in a new environment.

   It can be seen as a status symbol. “I’m in Tri-Delt.”

   There is an alumni community that can help with getting jobs. This is especially helpful for people who didn’t have wealth or access growing up.

   Yes, there are parties. And with sororities/fraternities to match with you.

   It can provide structure. Most have GPA requirements and others will help you study for a class.

   It can look good on a resume for leadership roles.

   My nieces were just in sororities. It allowed one to completely change her image from high school. The other is running for president of her sorority. They’ve made amazing friends. It’s been perfect for both of them.

3. It’s mostly a social and networking thing. Most fraternities and sororities have either a local or national philanthropy partner and they’ll hold events to raise awareness/raise money. I enjoyed my time in a fraternity, there’s a lot of people who are against them because for various reasons; but the overwhelming number of Greek life members are just regular students making friends and trying to pass classes, not everyone is this douche persona that the internet/media gives off.

4. Results will vary by school and individual experience.

   My experience with fraternities was a positive one. I originally moved into the dorms, but my roommate was a very odd duck. I couldn’t imagine living there all year. Decided to join a fraternity instead (which was campus approved housing for first year students). I checked out several before finding one that I felt had the most comfortable vibe, well as much as you can judge in a couple hours.

   The fraternity was actually cheaper than dorms and included 3 meals a day. Freshmen also had mandatory and strictly enforced study hours each night. At first, I thought that sucked, but it didn’t take long for me to appreciate the studying. I don’t know if I get through my first year without this forced studying. I had horrible study habits coming out of high school.

   Students in sororities/fraternities made up roughly 25% of the student population and all the fraternities generally all got along and socialized with each other. So fraternities opened up more social circles for me.

   Yes, we partied, but we also worked hard. Freshmen were in charge of the daily house cleaning. Older students all had other responsibilities such as house maintenance and other bigger picture committees. We also had philanthropic events and had a mandatory community service hours. We were also required to join at least one other campus organization, whether thst was student council, Future Business Leaders, design teams, etc.

   I really enjoyed my time in a fraternity but recognize that it might not be for everyone. I also know that it could be different depending on the school or Greek organization. I still talk daily to guys I lived with there and that was 15+ years ago.

   I also acknowledge that you can get these experiences and not live in a fraternity/sorority.

5. There are multiple kinds. The ones you see in TV/movies are social fraternities, which are basically just social clubs. There are also professional and academic ones, which tend to be co-ed.