Sororities midwest versus other parts of US, down to earth?

[Anonymous]

Let her do her own thing, OP. It’s college.

[Anonymous]

I was in at sorority at an ACC school (Chapel Hill) and it was totally fun, goofy, not at all serious. I loved it. From the daughters of my friends/family, sororities there still remain easy going, not serious and very few of them do organized Tik Toks as well as very few young women rushing do them (like OOTD, etc).

A college friend sent me this one, saying that if we ever did Tik toks they'd be like this (and Arkansas is an SEC school). https://www.tiktok.com/@arkansaskappadelta/video/7534874489134304543

I honestly do not think the Bama rush trend is the norm. It's been several years now of these videos and basically they're all still from the same group of schools. If it was going to be super widespread, then it would have happened by now.

I admit to finding the bama rush Tok videos entertaining because there are so polar opposite to my experience.

[Anonymous]

Encourage her to staycurious and open tothe “mid” and “bottom tier” sororities. Far less drama and a higher percentage of women who are low key women who are not invested in the status game.

[Anonymous]

The chapters (i.e. Chi Omega at Purdue vs Chi Omega at University of Miami - and I'm not sure Chi O is at both of those school so don't flame me) vary widely. I didn't understand this as a collegiate until Thanksgiving Break, telling friends what house I was in and then realizing the chapter at my school was very different at their college/university.

I think, especially in a larger school, it's a good chance to feel like you're part of something. Some chapters are very social, some are very philanthropic, you have a chance to "lead" from within if you're into that kind of thing, and I think it's also a good icebreaker at times as you age out of college. It can even be as simple as a group of people to sit with at lunch or go out with on a weekend.

I went to school (and grew up) in the South and I can guarantee this crazed rush thing wasn't like that when I rushed. I think this is something Social Media has magnified (and not in a good way) - I think social media videos/reels have really harmed the perception of the Greek system overall, but that's my POV. It went from a fun to do kind of thing to this intense overwhelming experience.

Let your daughter give it a try. Why not? I can guarantee she'll know how she feels after the Open Houses. And it's not a permanent thing - if she doesn't like it she doesn't really have to continue. I promise you that certainly happens as the years go on, especially with Study Abroad and Junior/Senior year. But by that time, she will have found her footing, Greek or not.

[Anonymous]

I was talking to a sophomore who goes to Ole Miss last weekend and she absolutely loves her sorority. The sorority house is beautiful. They apparently have full time cooks and she eats almost all her meals there. She feels very supported.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think schools with higher academic standards have sororities that are less vapid

What they don't want to look like spray-tanned "contoured sheep"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was talking to a sophomore who goes to Ole Miss last weekend and she absolutely loves her sorority. The sorority house is beautiful. They apparently have full time cooks and she eats almost all her meals there. She feels very supported.

Is she going to college to eat or learn? Is she going to office hours, building a relationship with her TAs and professors, is she deepening her knowledge of her major, studying? Why spend all that money on college only to spend more money at a sorority in endless dues to cover full time cooks and focus on doing silly tiktok dances rather than learn?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was talking to a sophomore who goes to Ole Miss last weekend and she absolutely loves her sorority. The sorority house is beautiful. They apparently have full time cooks and she eats almost all her meals there. She feels very supported.

Is she going to college to eat or learn? Is she going to office hours, building a relationship with her TAs and professors, is she deepening her knowledge of her major, studying? Why spend all that money on college only to spend more money at a sorority in endless dues to cover full time cooks and focus on doing silly tiktok dances rather than learn?

My daughter is at a different large university and feels the same. Of course, academics are the priority- but eating her meals at the house doesn’t take away from that. They learn to balance time, which is important for everyone. I would be sad of my child was solely focused on her academics and didn’t care about creating relationships, building leadership, etc… Sororities care about grades and reputations. Stop thinking that all sorority girls are vapid. They’re not- they are enjoying life and being successful at school and fun!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone still buy the bs that the midwest is somehow wholesome, after everything we've learned about the midwest in the last ten years?

And what you’ve learned is . . . ?

I’d love to know this, as well. What have we learned about the Midwest? I must have missed this lesson.

My DD is at a Midwest state university and is in a sorority. It appears laid back to me… more than my DC region sorority was.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was talking to a sophomore who goes to Ole Miss last weekend and she absolutely loves her sorority. The sorority house is beautiful. They apparently have full time cooks and she eats almost all her meals there. She feels very supported.

Is she going to college to eat or learn? Is she going to office hours, building a relationship with her TAs and professors, is she deepening her knowledge of her major, studying? Why spend all that money on college only to spend more money at a sorority in endless dues to cover full time cooks and focus on doing silly tiktok dances rather than learn?

My daughter is at a different large university and feels the same. Of course, academics are the priority- but eating her meals at the house doesn’t take away from that. They learn to balance time, which is important for everyone. I would be sad of my child was solely focused on her academics and didn’t care about creating relationships, building leadership, etc… Sororities care about grades and reputations. Stop thinking that all sorority girls are vapid. They’re not- they are enjoying life and being successful at school and fun!

I'm happy to hear that academics are still her priority. All kids - whether they join groups like sororities/frats or make friends organically through dorms/clubs/classes - want to create relationships and build leadership. You don't need to pledge a social fraternity or sorority to make friends! And if you do, I would just be cautiioned about all the dues, rules, cruelty and hazing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was talking to a sophomore who goes to Ole Miss last weekend and she absolutely loves her sorority. The sorority house is beautiful. They apparently have full time cooks and she eats almost all her meals there. She feels very supported.

Is she going to college to eat or learn? Is she going to office hours, building a relationship with her TAs and professors, is she deepening her knowledge of her major, studying? Why spend all that money on college only to spend more money at a sorority in endless dues to cover full time cooks and focus on doing silly tiktok dances rather than learn?

My daughter is at a different large university and feels the same. Of course, academics are the priority- but eating her meals at the house doesn’t take away from that. They learn to balance time, which is important for everyone. I would be sad of my child was solely focused on her academics and didn’t care about creating relationships, building leadership, etc… Sororities care about grades and reputations. Stop thinking that all sorority girls are vapid. They’re not- they are enjoying life and being successful at school and fun!

I'm happy to hear that academics are still her priority. All kids - whether they join groups like sororities/frats or make friends organically through dorms/clubs/classes - want to create relationships and build leadership. You don't need to pledge a social fraternity or sorority to make friends! And if you do, I would just be cautiioned about all the dues, rules, cruelty and hazing.

DD is at Arizona- a big sorority/fraternity school.

1) No, you don't need a social frat/sorority to make friends, but it sure is a great and quick way to make them.
2) Dues include all food and are less than the school meal plan. It's actually a pretty good deal. For sophmore year, she is living in the house and her dues include activities/food/housing and is at $9,000- so considerably cheaper than housing and a meal plan- actually way cheaper than just housing in Tucson. Sorority is "free."
3) Yes, there are rules. It's about time they learned some after going through MCPS where there were no rules. Glad she is learning discipline before going into the workforce.
4) Cruelty/Hazing- I'm sure there is some at some places, but my daughter never experienced any.

The culture of each sorority is different, but if your DD follows her gut and finds one that is a match for her personality, it can be a great fit. Things you see on TV are often an exaggeration or old school. I am sure those types of sororities are still around- especially in the SEC- but don't assume that they are the majority. I have been nothing but amazed at the positive experiences and relationships that my daughter has being exposed to due to her sorority.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was talking to a sophomore who goes to Ole Miss last weekend and she absolutely loves her sorority. The sorority house is beautiful. They apparently have full time cooks and she eats almost all her meals there. She feels very supported.

Is she going to college to eat or learn? Is she going to office hours, building a relationship with her TAs and professors, is she deepening her knowledge of her major, studying? Why spend all that money on college only to spend more money at a sorority in endless dues to cover full time cooks and focus on doing silly tiktok dances rather than learn?

Were you ugly or socially awkward in college or something?

This is a thread about sororities. That poster was talking about a student who loves her sorority. That doesn’t by definition mean she isn’t also learning, going to office hours or anything else. The poster isn’t responding to the question “do you know anyone who loves Ole Miss?”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was talking to a sophomore who goes to Ole Miss last weekend and she absolutely loves her sorority. The sorority house is beautiful. They apparently have full time cooks and she eats almost all her meals there. She feels very supported.

Is she going to college to eat or learn? Is she going to office hours, building a relationship with her TAs and professors, is she deepening her knowledge of her major, studying? Why spend all that money on college only to spend more money at a sorority in endless dues to cover full time cooks and focus on doing silly tiktok dances rather than learn?

Were you ugly or socially awkward in college or something?

This is a thread about sororities. That poster was talking about a student who loves her sorority. That doesn’t by definition mean she isn’t also learning, going to office hours or anything else. The poster isn’t responding to the question “do you know anyone who loves Ole Miss?”

PP here. I'm tall, thin and have always been considered conventionally very attractive. I was popular in school sorry to burst your bubble. I'm also smart and successful and that always drove me more in the ivy league school I attended.

[Anonymous]

What does "down to earth" mean? My DD is at a pretty popular sorority at Michigan and the girls aren't all stick-thin or wear makeup or nice clothes every day, they all seem to care about grades and their careers given where they are, but it's a sorority - there's partying, some level of cattiness, etc. That said, she loves living with her friends, the house is gorgeous and safe, she has a fun social life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was talking to a sophomore who goes to Ole Miss last weekend and she absolutely loves her sorority. The sorority house is beautiful. They apparently have full time cooks and she eats almost all her meals there. She feels very supported.

Is she going to college to eat or learn? Is she going to office hours, building a relationship with her TAs and professors, is she deepening her knowledge of her major, studying? Why spend all that money on college only to spend more money at a sorority in endless dues to cover full time cooks and focus on doing silly tiktok dances rather than learn?

Oh please. She’s going to Ole Miss.