Does Greek life scare you? Is it better off in a greek-free college?

[Anonymous]

Another Greek thread?

[Anonymous]

If I had a boy, I’d be scared that he’d end up like the overgrown frat boy on this forum who posts about being a god on campus and pulling all the foyine girls, living decades in the past and unable to move on from the glory of his youth.

[Anonymous]

^buddy is so obsessed with his frat experience that he can’t see he’s the #1 red flag and flashing warning sign against going greek.

[Anonymous]

Have toured about 12 colleges since February. Have noticed that tour guides don't mention Greek life - unless asked - even when the tour guides are in Greek life. Do colleges intentionally downplay Greek scene? My social, smart and sporty senior seems indifferent to Greek life - not really interested and not really opposed. Not a deal breaker either way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have toured about 12 colleges since February. Have noticed that tour guides don't mention Greek life - unless asked - even when the tour guides are in Greek life. Do colleges intentionally downplay Greek scene? My social, smart and sporty senior seems indifferent to Greek life - not really interested and not really opposed. Not a deal breaker either way.

We just started visiting schools over the summer but all the schools (except the one that has no Greek orgs) mentioned Greek life without prompting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do colleges intentionally downplay Greek scene?

They're separate organizations from the universities so it makes sense to distance themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For us it’s not a case of scared, it’s a case of social fit. DD isn’t interested (fairly introverted, in HS is in the artsy, theater, music, geeky crowd). So she always checks percentages of students in Greek life and asks questions about how big it is at any school she looks at, and no Greek at all is a bonus.

Semantics.

It's not that she won't fit in, she's "scared" she won't fit in. She's scared of Greek life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For us it’s not a case of scared, it’s a case of social fit. DD isn’t interested (fairly introverted, in HS is in the artsy, theater, music, geeky crowd). So she always checks percentages of students in Greek life and asks questions about how big it is at any school she looks at, and no Greek at all is a bonus.

Semantics.

It's not that she won't fit in, she's "scared" she won't fit in. She's scared of Greek life.

Failure of imagination right here

[Anonymous]

I guess ALL non Greek boys are upstanding and safe young men.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is in a sorority in a high Greek life school. She is happy, has plenty of activities at all times, and is focused on her education. This board is strange with its anti-Greek stance. Most sorority members are grounded and love the sisterhood and socializing- they are living a balanced life.

It sounds like you don't trust your daughter which is a completely different issue.

Utter BS

Sorrities are nothing but buying friends.

[Anonymous]

It's just so funny. DCUM is all in favor of exclusivity until it comes to going Greek, then it's opposed. And we know why. It's the one club that neither money nor academics can get their kids in. Instead, looks and personality are required, and that's something their kids can't compete with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is in a sorority in a high Greek life school. She is happy, has plenty of activities at all times, and is focused on her education. This board is strange with its anti-Greek stance. Most sorority members are grounded and love the sisterhood and socializing- they are living a balanced life.

It sounds like you don't trust your daughter which is a completely different issue.

Neither dh nor I were in the Greek life, so all I know about it are that you’re more likely to get accepted if you are: good looking, fit, outgoing, have enough money for good clothes, and enjoy the party scene. The fact that these people also have advantages in life later from the “brotherhood” of getting each other jobs is just another way of rich people getting richer. Then you add in the ludicrous hazing that has occasionally resulted in DEATH…and you wonder why some people don’t see the appeal?

I was a part of Greek life. I’m not outgoing, I didn’t have the best clothes, and I preferred the library to the frat party.

And hazing? It didn’t happen. The worst I had to do is go to a couple dull chapter meetings.

Like you, I believed the big, bad, scary stereotype of Greek life… until I actually checked it out for myself.

I’m glad I did it. It helped me get out of my bubble and better connect to my university.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is in a sorority in a high Greek life school. She is happy, has plenty of activities at all times, and is focused on her education. This board is strange with its anti-Greek stance. Most sorority members are grounded and love the sisterhood and socializing- they are living a balanced life.

It sounds like you don't trust your daughter which is a completely different issue.

Neither dh nor I were in the Greek life, so all I know about it are that you’re more likely to get accepted if you are: good looking, fit, outgoing, have enough money for good clothes, and enjoy the party scene. The fact that these people also have advantages in life later from the “brotherhood” of getting each other jobs is just another way of rich people getting richer. Then you add in the ludicrous hazing that has occasionally resulted in DEATH…and you wonder why some people don’t see the appeal?

Again, it sounds like you don't trust your adult child to make a choice. Even at high Greek-life schools, under 25% of students are involved so not sending your child to one of those schools where 75% are not Greek is crazy. Second, "rich" people have always had advantages. Sororities and fraternities do not change that. Country clubs are the adult version. Third, I can't speak for other houses, but I can tell you there was ZERO hazing at my child's school. It is not allowed and did not happen at her sorority. We were actually expecting some minor stuff, but it was all about keeping your grades up, learning the history of the sorority, and making friendships. Ooh, the horror!

That said, I am not trying to convince anyone to join a sorority or fraternity. But barring your child from going to school with a healthy system is taking it too far.

I wasn’t the OP, and I never said I wouldn’t send my kids to a school with Greek life, they can if they want. I just don’t find it appealing or something I am hoping my kids aspire to.

In college you should ideally find groups of friends who are hard working and do service as you said, AND who don’t have to look/dress a certain way to belong to that particular club.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is in a sorority in a high Greek life school. She is happy, has plenty of activities at all times, and is focused on her education. This board is strange with its anti-Greek stance. Most sorority members are grounded and love the sisterhood and socializing- they are living a balanced life.

It sounds like you don't trust your daughter which is a completely different issue.

Utter BS

Sorrities are nothing but buying friends.

DP. I guess I bought some great ones. They were in my wedding and we still get together 25 years post graduation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's just so funny. DCUM is all in favor of exclusivity until it comes to going Greek, then it's opposed. And we know why. It's the one club that neither money nor academics can get their kids in. Instead, looks and personality are required, and that's something their kids can't compete with.

“I am incapable of imagining a thought process different from my own, so I will decide that it is the exact same thought process, and that I am just braver.”