WUSTL - greek life

[Anonymous]

DC is quite interested in WUSTL but wants no or minimal greek life. We have convinced DC to keep an open mind since many colleges they otherwise like also have greek systems, but they and we don’t want DC in an environment where greek life dominates. WUSTL says 35% of students participate in greek life.

- does it feel like the greek system dominates most social life at WUSTL?
- if your child is not in a fraternity/sorority, do they express feeling in minority, or that it affected their living situations in upper years, or anythibg else pro or con?

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Greek life at WashU seems to be in decline after an active abolish Greek life movement. There are no sorority houses and there are rumors that some fraternities will lose their houses in the next few years. Lots of social life revolves around residential housing, clubs, activities, and sports teams. Also, there’s a good bit to do in St Louis. If you can visit, that is helpful.

[Anonymous]

Thank you from OP, that is encouraging (although often social life revolving around sports team are code for de facto greek system). We did visit, as well as some other unis with similarly sized greek systems and the tour guides seem to be instructed to downplay the influence of greek life on campus. I’m hoping for real answers from those with kids there now or recently. Basically, DC is hoping for a welcoming, inclusive campus environment, whether they choose not to rush, play a club sport, etc. Thanks again!

[Anonymous]

Try Tufts if you want a minimal greek system in a mid-sized school.

[Anonymous]

I thought these were interesting from the student paper:

Social Life: https://www.studlife.com/forum/2021/11/10/staff-editorial-reflections-on-washu-social-life/

Greek Life: https://www.studlife.com/forum/2021/02/04/staff-editorial-dear-freshmen-dont-rush-greek-life-should-not-have-a-place-on-wash-u-s-campus/

[Anonymous]

My kid is a sophomore at WUSTL and has no interest in Greek life. He has found his people there (in his dorm and through activities) and is so happy to be back after a boring summer working and living at home. The frat scene is there for those who want it but is by no means essential to having a good social life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you from OP, that is encouraging (although often social life revolving around sports team are code for de facto greek system). We did visit, as well as some other unis with similarly sized greek systems and the tour guides seem to be instructed to downplay the influence of greek life on campus. I’m hoping for real answers from those with kids there now or recently. Basically, DC is hoping for a welcoming, inclusive campus environment, whether they choose not to rush, play a club sport, etc. Thanks again!

Lordy you are overemphasizing this Greek thing big time. You’re not talking about Alabama! I’m sure it’s just fine for your DC.

[Anonymous]

I never understand these posts. What is this never-Greek teenager so afraid of that They need to have assurance that Their college not have more the #% Greek members?

What ever happened to 'you do you'? You: not Greek. You join the a cappella group, the Campus Kitchen and the Engage 360 groups. You meet a few teens from these clubs, plus your dorm floor and your history class and you eat some meals with them and go see a theater production in St. Louis on Saturday night.

Those Greek-lovin' classmates of yours won't come hunt you down and interfere, this I promise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I never understand these posts. What is this never-Greek teenager so afraid of that They need to have assurance that Their college not have more the #% Greek members?

What ever happened to 'you do you'? You: not Greek. You join the a cappella group, the Campus Kitchen and the Engage 360 groups. You meet a few teens from these clubs, plus your dorm floor and your history class and you eat some meals with them and go see a theater production in St. Louis on Saturday night.

Those Greek-lovin' classmates of yours won't come hunt you down and interfere, this I promise.

+1 it really is so crazy this obsession. You are dead on. Plenty of things to do if you’re not Greek at any school. I went to a tiny liberal at at college that was 80% Greek back in the day. I did rush because you know what, there was nothing else to do, and it was great. But we are not talking about a school that is anywhere near 80% Greek are we?