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Fraternities
SoonerMan
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Ok, I'm not a rich guy or anything but being involved is something I like to do. Being in a group is something I like to do, but community service? Not so much.
Is there any advice/insight as to what frats offer? I can't see much, because either way I'm going to be involved. I hate missing the ball on stuff so, missing out on being in a frat would suck, but then again I'm sort of... do my own thing, but with people (if that makes sense.)
Thanks in advance, guys.
Is there any advice/insight as to what frats offer? I can't see much, because either way I'm going to be involved. I hate missing the ball on stuff so, missing out on being in a frat would suck, but then again I'm sort of... do my own thing, but with people (if that makes sense.)
Thanks in advance, guys.
Rah, Oklahoma! Rah, Oklahoma! Rah, Oklahoma~! O-K-U!
SoonerMan on
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At my college the frats were very secular, there was a party frat, a sports frat, a business frat, a political frat, you get the idea.
They also usually do stuff together at big school events, and you will more then likely have a sister sorority for things like socials, and special holiday dances/parties.
Of the frats that I had friends in Iota Phi Theta was a African American based frat, that dealt mainly with school politics and business, they threw parties like everyone else, they held dance competitions, etc.
Another one that we called the "Pikes" were pretty much known as the party frat, and the majority of the people I went to high school with joined this frat because of the name, and the connections you could make within the frat for getting a job later down the line.
A main offering of what the frats did at my Uni were:
Party
Community Service
Events for the students at school (halo tournaments, basketball, etc)
Help you make connections with people in your field of study
Don't jump into something just because you don't have better options, however. Unless you go to a small school with over 50% frats, you'll be able to find friends outside the fraternity structure relatively easily. Join a frat because you really enjoy hanging out with these people almost exclusively for 4 years.
Basically, that is what a frat offers you, along with instant connections with professionals in your field. Those connections can be made without joining a frat, but overall it's better if you can do it this way. Also, sister sororities are always great.
Have you thought about finding a non-frat group to join? At my campus a lot of organizations are really close-knit like fraternities, but they don't have the requirements or dues. Finding a group that you're really passionate about will mean a lot more than joining a frat just so you belong to one.
That being said, apparently we're the stereotypical "football house" at some other places. We're also the "gamer" house at RPI (so I'm told, only been there once). So yeah, it really depends on the college you're at.
If you mention where you're headed, we might be able to help more.
Anyways, during rush, don't be afraid to ask tough questions. Find out who you'll be working with during your pledging. Find out his ideas about hazing, as well as what's to be expected of you if you sign a bid. Also find out what their stance is on alcohol/substances. If that's your schtick, it could be a deal-breaker. Vice versa, if you hate drinking, it could be a deal-breaker that way. Also find out what kinds of things are expected of you as a Brother, how many service hours would be expected per semester (I think ours is set at 15, but that changes every year with the changing service chairman), how many parties happen, all that stuff. If I think of more stuff to ask, I'll write it down and post again.
But what I'm intent on doing is keeping my grades in check and everything. A's were easy in high school, but I know I'll have to actually try in college. Drinking and all of this is not my thing, I don't hate people that do it but I just don't usually hang with the party kids.
Community service wouldn't be so bad... I'm really scatterbrained right now so let me know anything else you need to know.
Deffinately check percentages. At my school (USC) the greek system was really played down by admissions, but once I got there, I realized that it was the dominant social force on campus.
My freshman year I did feel like I "missed the ball" in a sence, but going back as a sophomore this year, I have found my nichce (marching band) and I have friends in frats so I end up going to a frat party every now and again.
Go to ruch, check it out, but I warn you, that if your trying to keep grades and stuff, your plegdge semester will fuck with you. My friends that rushed had alot of trouble balancing school life and social life.
/anecdotal evidence
As far as your academics are concerned the frat should be looking out for your well being, aside from that whole hazing thing. Every year they need to present themselves to their Heads of Greekness, real title but I forget it, and generally the school with which they are associated. At my school, Lehigh University, they even go so far as it publish the ranks of each house and their average GPA. There are also requirements for different events that they must fulfill and keep their budget together. Each Frat will probably also have A Professor as a house adviser. I have known students who pledged and never drank during hazing. I have know students who join and then only show up for community service events. It all depends on the house. Granted this is only from my experience at Lehigh, but the Princeton Review generally ranks us poorly/favorably in terms of our drinking and our Greek Life.
I agree somewhat with the "pledging will mess with your grades". That being said, my grades went UP and have continued to do so being a Brother for almost 2 years now. It's all about time management, so learn to love it.
To the last guy who replied;
The "head of greekness" would probably refer to the Inter-Fraternity Council. It's much more than just presenting yourselves to the university administration. It's a self-enforced regulatory board that helps us keep ourselves inline.
I dunno what you're saying when you said "requirement for different events that they must fulfill and keep their budget together", could you clarify?
Also, to the OP, if you're asking about hazing and they are talking about forcing you to drink, run the fuck away. This is how people get hurt and die. It doesn't help anyone, nor will it make you a better person. This is of course, just my opinion and I mean no disrespect to anyone who already went through such things.
Another thing you might want to ask is how the house does their budget. Some houses are like "Budget? What budget?" but it's important. You wouldn't want to join a place and not know where your dues and the like are going, would you?