Colleges where it sucks if you’re not Greek or sporty - help us avoid them!

[Anonymous]

Every time my introverted DD finds a school she is interested in in terms of location, campus, major, etc. she then reads some review like, “If you aren’t going Greek or on a team, you have nothing to do on the weekend.” Schools like Lafayette seem to have a jock or Greek divide with the rest of the students who then have a hard time socially.

It would be great to hear which schools have this issue so she can not waste her time on them.

(And - we’ve learned that relatively lower percentages in fraternities/sororities doesn’t mean that Greek life doesn’t dominate because often all of the parties on weekends are at frats.)

[Anonymous]

There are a whole bunch of "fratty" SLAC/Universities in Ohop, Pennsylvania and Indiana that fits this - Miami of Ohio/Dennison type places, and then the entire SEC (alabama, Vandy, Auburn) - and actually most southern schools, with Rice being the exception.

[Anonymous]

Mid tier LACs like Lehigh, Bucknell, Colgate, etc are all very Greek. Top tier LACs have no or very little greek life……Williams, bowdoin, Amherst, Midd, Wes, etc.

[Anonymous]

This is OP. I know this is over-simplifying but my daughter is looking a tier lower than from what maybe she could have a shot at because we can’t afford $70-80 thousand. This sounds whiney but it feels like this makes it hard to avoid party-schools, which she would like to do. The big state schools seem so Greek and overwhelming to her — we visited some.)

Though I went to an Ivy and frats ruled the weekends because the school was so isolated.)

[Anonymous]

Community college.

[Anonymous]

Maybe this issue goes away at schools in cities?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is OP. I know this is over-simplifying but my daughter is looking a tier lower than from what maybe she could have a shot at because we can’t afford $70-80 thousand. This sounds whiney but it feels like this makes it hard to avoid party-schools, which she would like to do. The big state schools seem so Greek and overwhelming to her — we visited some.)

Though I went to an Ivy and frats ruled the weekends because the school was so isolated.)

The big state schools that have 15,000+ students might have large greek systems, but if 15% is greek, that means 85% isn't...that translates to thousands of non-greek kids for your kid to find her tribe.

[Anonymous]

If she (and you) are going to be so sensitive to online reviews, there’s nothing anyone here can do to help you.

You can read bad reviews of Michelin-star restaurants and five-star resorts. If you don’t get that if a school, resort, restaurant or whatever has an overall great reputation, but that a a few disgruntled outliers will always exist, then sorry. No one can help you navigate that. You’ve failed to grasp common sense and reality.

I went to a big state school that had a healthy Greek life and a VERY healthy sports scene. I wasn’t into either, so I just…did other things. Theater, literary groups, student newspaper, swing dance and ballroom dance, kayaking, etc. If you don’t get that you just seek out the interests you have and there you will find your people, got nothin’ for you.

[Anonymous]

My twins are first years at UVA which is described as "fratty" and is a party school in many ways.Yes, that is the scene that my DD is experiencing but she is enjoying it very much and will rush in the spring. My DS is NOT into Greek life and is not involved in any athletics on grounds. He did however join a bunch of clubs which have had parties and activities where he has enjoyed himself. He is not a drinker, usually two beers is very much his limit and that happens maybe once a month. He has been stone cold sober at these club parties and still had a good time.

I went to a SLAC that was oh about 60-70% greek at the time, and yes it was the only thing to do on the weekends. Which was fine, I found a sorority that I loved and thoroughly enjoyed my time there. Prior to, I would never have said I was someone who would rush. in fact i didn't until spring sophomore year.

My point is that there are kids at every school that are not Greek. She will just have to work harder to find them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mid tier LACs like Lehigh, Bucknell, Colgate, etc are all very Greek. Top tier LACs have no or very little greek life……Williams, bowdoin, Amherst, Midd, Wes, etc.

But most of this schools place high value on scholar athletes and are thus sporty with the exception of Wesleyan.

I think Emory and NYU are two schools which are neither particularly sporty or Greek.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is OP. I know this is over-simplifying but my daughter is looking a tier lower than from what maybe she could have a shot at because we can’t afford $70-80 thousand. This sounds whiney but it feels like this makes it hard to avoid party-schools, which she would like to do. The big state schools seem so Greek and overwhelming to her — we visited some.)

Though I went to an Ivy and frats ruled the weekends because the school was so isolated.)

The big state schools that have 15,000+ students might have large greek systems, but if 15% is greek, that means 85% isn't...that translates to thousands of non-greek kids for your kid to find her tribe.

This. I’ve never seen a college where the majority are Greek. Number wise it’s not possible. I personally think the bigger schools, even with large Greek systems, still have more diverse students and activities to offer them the smaller ones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is OP. I know this is over-simplifying but my daughter is looking a tier lower than from what maybe she could have a shot at because we can’t afford $70-80 thousand. This sounds whiney but it feels like this makes it hard to avoid party-schools, which she would like to do. The big state schools seem so Greek and overwhelming to her — we visited some.)

Though I went to an Ivy and frats ruled the weekends because the school was so isolated.)

The big state schools that have 15,000+ students might have large greek systems, but if 15% is greek, that means 85% isn't...that translates to thousands of non-greek kids for your kid to find her tribe.

This. I’ve never seen a college where the majority are Greek. Number wise it’s not possible. I personally think the bigger schools, even with large Greek systems, still have more diverse students and activities to offer them the smaller ones.

Interesting that a big school may be better for an introvert than a small school. Wish there were more mid-size schools.

[Anonymous]

OP your kid needs to loosen up and have fun

[Anonymous]

Rather than asking for a list of Greek and sporty schools to avoid, why don't you tell us what your daughter is looking for and we can help you come up with options that aren't dominated by those groups?

FWIW, DC had an amazing experience at Berry College and is neither Greek nor sporty. It has a fantastic work program designed to give students meaningful work experience. While the enrollment is relatively small, the campus is huge, which is great for nature lovers. The college talks about educating head, heart and hands. While this might be common rhetoric for educational institutions, Berry students really embrace the philosophy and pride themselves on service. There is a strong sense of community.

[Anonymous]

Many schools offer honors programs. i would encourage you to look into these, as they can do provide a smaller, more relatable community that won't be dominated by Greek/sporty culture. Depending on the school, it may come with opportunities like honors dorms and smaller honors classes.