UVA Greek System
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Anonymous
| My DC was admitted ED to UVA and is interested in joining the Greek system. At my college, the Greek presence was pretty non-existent. Do any of you have kids in frats or sororities at UVA? I hear they are not as crazy as the SEC schools, thank God, but are they elitist, expensive, exclusive? My kid is a URM as well. I see some of the members posting about their summer vacations to destinations we could never afford. DC is very outgoing, social, team sports player and has held different leadership positions. We will support her decision to rush, but also want to give her a heads up on what this all entails. |
Anonymous
| I have two at UVA both in Greek system, both in houses considered “middle tier” meaning not the super rich people. Most of the sororities are pretty low key, there are 15 of them so really a good range. Going through rush she’ll get to meet all of them and then both sides whittle down the list as rush goes on. As long as she doesn’t have hopes for any particular house, she will be fine. Dies for mine are about $800-1000 per semester, more the first semester. There are wide variances on dues FYI depending on the house. |
Anonymous
| Look at Sigma Kappa and Kappa Delta. Both diverse. And there are historically black sororities as well |
Anonymous
| What are considered “top tier” sororities? |
Anonymous
FWIW, OP, my DD graduated from UVA last year, and talked a lot about sororities because my own experience in one was miserable. As you know, only 30-35 percent of the UVA students participate. My DD was not one of them, chose not to go through rush, found her own people and activities and had a wonderful experience without setting four once in Greek row (which is off campus). It’s nothing like Washington & Lee where 90 percent participate and they are obscenely expensive. Tell her to go to the Club Days right after matriculation where the 900 clubs and activities sit at table and tell the first year students about their organizations. DD was interested in the student newspaper, crew and a debate society. In the end the debate society and a political society won her heart. She had a fabulous experience in both. Good luck to your daughter |
Anonymous
immigrant here who is totally clueless on Greek life... can you explain more what "tier" means... are these fraternities/sororities sorted out by economic status? |
Anonymous
| Sorority status determined by many factors including economic status. Some are considered more “traditional” or more “exclusive” or more “southern.” Most tend to have a “type” of girl but that’s not always hard and fast. I think looks and money are more important for certain houses. Most are just looking for social girls who will fit in with the vibe of the house. There’s usually a good fit for most people. Back in the day many houses did not have or attract a very diverse sisterhood. That said, there have always been houses that did/do. I was not a “sorority person” but found a group of girls I really enjoyed being with and had a great experience. |
Anonymous
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YOU see kids posting on vacation, oP?
Might you be a teenager stirring things up? |
Anonymous
| My DD is about to go through rush at UVA next week. Her two brothers are/were both in fraternities there but the Greek system for girls is still relatively foreign to me. Her personality sounds very similar to your DD. She’s very involved in a couple of other organizations on grounds, knows many students in sororities and is not 100% sure she’ll actually want to join a sorority but figured she’d check it out. The way my 3 Hoos describe the couple “top tier” sororities is basically based on family wealth. My DD is not interested in a “top tier” sorority though she has friends who belong to them. According to my sons, the fraternities are generally smaller and the members tend to have a tighter bond bc of that. |
Anonymous
OP here… My DD found, and showed me, the sororities’ instagram posts. I cannot figure out one greek house from another. The only one I can think of is Delta Delta Delta (Can I help ya, help ya, help ya) from the SNL skit! |
Anonymous
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UVA greek life is very chill, that said, alot of girls drop out of rush each year because they had their heart set on a "top house". I know a someone in one of the top houses and she said they already have their list of who they want (and those girls will all want them), so some of those places you just can't break into and need to know that going in.
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Anonymous
Varies by the college but at UVA Tri Dela and Kappa I think are still top tier. |
Anonymous
*Tri-Delta (sorry for typos) Tri-Delta is top tier at UVA, Univ of Michigan, Duke, etc... I have heard it is still top tier at UVA but not sure. Pretty girls, etc.. There are other options as well I am just answering the pp's question. |
Anonymous
I will add to my above post your daughter will most likely meet girls once she gets there and may find out they belong to a particular sorority and end up choosing that sorority based on that - the girls she knows and likes. It happens sort of naturally in many cases. Girls she crosses paths with through whatever activities she is involved with on campus. Good luck. |
Anonymous
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I was a Tri Delt at a different school and back in the day a rushee had to have a letter of recommendation from an alumna in order to be considered for membership. I think that requirement has loosened (if not gone away altogether) but I'm still asked to write references from time to time. Your DD will likely need a resume and a good photo/head shot. When I complete references now they ask for social media handles so be away and advise your kids to clean them up if need be.
"Tier" is a loose term to describe the strength and popularity of a chapter. My understanding is that at UVA the stronger sororities have parties with the stronger fraternities and that all the frat parties are run with strict guest lists and wrist bands. |