Big universities where Greek life is not huge? "Safety School" a plus!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Believe it or not, Texas A&M had a big pushback against Greek life while I was there (albeit 30 years ago!).

A popular t-shirt on campus was "Rent a friend...Join a frat". Sorority girls were referred to a "bow-heads".

I don't know if it's still this way, but 12% of students are involved in Greek life. It's a big school, so that's still a lot of people.

You were probably there at the same time as me! But, yes, Texas A&M should definitely fit the bill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi! I'm looking for recommendations for schools where Greek life isn't too important. It's ok if they have some Greek, but I'm not looking for a school (to recommend to my kid) where most of the social life is Greek.
He prefers large universities (20,000 +) so that most majors are offered, and lots of activities/clubs so that there's "something for everyone." He also likes the idea of a decent Division 1 football and/or basketball team so that going to the games is a fun social event.

We already know WVU fits the bill on this one, but can anyone recommend others? We're open to looking at any part of the country.

Thank you.

I don't even know what that means. Greek like is a choice. If you want to do one, you can do one. If you don't want to be in one, no one will force you. Any Unis will fit that definition or no Unis will fit that definition.

Agreed, my oldest went to a school with a massive Greek system and set foot in a house 4 times because their favorite holiday was Halloween and this particular house through a great party. Managed to have a great social life in the plethora of academic and outdoor clubs and "establishments" in town. Now in grad school untarnished by the evil Greek stain I guess all of the big Greek fear mongers panic about, it's really quite odd. A well adjusted social kid should have no issue at a large University, there is always something for everyone.

I'm sure OP's kid will do great at any number of places. That doesn't change the question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NC State has a Greek participation rate of under 10%.

NC State is only good for Engineers. Two of mine went there. I would not recommend it for any other major except maybe accounting. Finance no as no track to jobs. As a matter of fact, the whole Business school is not great at getting students jobs. Mine did fine, in Eng double major CS. But there were lots of issues. From majors deciding halfway through the program, classes don't count, and new requirements. It was annoying, to say the least. Plus the football stadium is not on campus it is a pain in the neck. Lots of racism from Professors. Business school stinks very poorly run.

The poster is correct about the percentage of Greek participation.

Good things about the NC State Engineering campus, not part of the main campus is amazing. The library alone is worth it for instate Eng or CS majors. Changing majors at NC State is relatively easy. Textiles school is an awesome and fantastic program, highly recommend. Instate tuition great as well. The best part of NC state besides academics 8 at State. The program takes 8 PE classes to get a T-shirt. About 75% of students do this program. For my kids who are avid sports kids with their academics huge win. Also, lots of rec sports for students to join. Club sports too.

Some great graduate programs at NC State Supply Chain and Textiles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi! I'm looking for recommendations for schools where Greek life isn't too important. It's ok if they have some Greek, but I'm not looking for a school (to recommend to my kid) where most of the social life is Greek.
He prefers large universities (20,000 +) so that most majors are offered, and lots of activities/clubs so that there's "something for everyone." He also likes the idea of a decent Division 1 football and/or basketball team so that going to the games is a fun social event.

We already know WVU fits the bill on this one, but can anyone recommend others? We're open to looking at any part of the country.

Thank you.

I don't even know what that means. Greek like is a choice. If you want to do one, you can do one. If you don't want to be in one, no one will force you. Any Unis will fit that definition or no Unis will fit that definition.

Agreed, my oldest went to a school with a massive Greek system and set foot in a house 4 times because their favorite holiday was Halloween and this particular house through a great party. Managed to have a great social life in the plethora of academic and outdoor clubs and "establishments" in town. Now in grad school untarnished by the evil Greek stain I guess all of the big Greek fear mongers panic about, it's really quite odd. A well adjusted social kid should have no issue at a large University, there is always something for everyone.

I'm sure OP's kid will do great at any number of places. That doesn't change the question.

OK, so OP what is your threshold for Greek life, WVU is roughly 12%....is 12% your threshold? That would help drive the suggestions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi! I'm looking for recommendations for schools where Greek life isn't too important. It's ok if they have some Greek, but I'm not looking for a school (to recommend to my kid) where most of the social life is Greek.
He prefers large universities (20,000 +) so that most majors are offered, and lots of activities/clubs so that there's "something for everyone." He also likes the idea of a decent Division 1 football and/or basketball team so that going to the games is a fun social event.

We already know WVU fits the bill on this one, but can anyone recommend others? We're open to looking at any part of the country.

Thank you.

I don't even know what that means. Greek like is a choice. If you want to do one, you can do one. If you don't want to be in one, no one will force you. Any Unis will fit that definition or no Unis will fit that definition.

Agreed, my oldest went to a school with a massive Greek system and set foot in a house 4 times because their favorite holiday was Halloween and this particular house through a great party. Managed to have a great social life in the plethora of academic and outdoor clubs and "establishments" in town. Now in grad school untarnished by the evil Greek stain I guess all of the big Greek fear mongers panic about, it's really quite odd. A well adjusted social kid should have no issue at a large University, there is always something for everyone.

I'm sure OP's kid will do great at any number of places. That doesn't change the question.

OK, so OP what is your threshold for Greek life, WVU is roughly 12%....is 12% your threshold? That would help drive the suggestions.

OP here

I have an older child that goes to WVU, and I didn't even realize that the Greek percentage there is 12%! I know that about half the fraternities are "disassociated" or even banned--I wonder if the are included in the 12%? But yes, WVU's percentage seems pretty good to our family--it's there if you want it, but definitely not defining the social life of the school.

Another poster mentioned 24%--and yeah, that's where we get a bit turned off. Another school that checks most his boxes is Alabama, but he is a bit concerned that if he doesn't want to join a frat, it will be hard to meet people.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Believe it or not, Texas A&M had a big pushback against Greek life while I was there (albeit 30 years ago!).

A popular t-shirt on campus was "Rent a friend...Join a frat". Sorority girls were referred to a "bow-heads".

I don't know if it's still this way, but 12% of students are involved in Greek life. It's a big school, so that's still a lot of people.

You were probably there at the same time as me! But, yes, Texas A&M should definitely fit the bill.

OP here

A few weeks ago someone posted a youtube video of the sorority door chants at Texas A&M, so I was under the impression that it was kind of a heavy Greek school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NC State has a Greek participation rate of under 10%.

NC State is only good for Engineers. Two of mine went there. I would not recommend it for any other major except maybe accounting. Finance no as no track to jobs. As a matter of fact, the whole Business school is not great at getting students jobs. Mine did fine, in Eng double major CS. But there were lots of issues. From majors deciding halfway through the program, classes don't count, and new requirements. It was annoying, to say the least. Plus the football stadium is not on campus it is a pain in the neck. Lots of racism from Professors. Business school stinks very poorly run.

The poster is correct about the percentage of Greek participation.

Good things about the NC State Engineering campus, not part of the main campus is amazing. The library alone is worth it for instate Eng or CS majors. Changing majors at NC State is relatively easy. Textiles school is an awesome and fantastic program, highly recommend. Instate tuition great as well. The best part of NC state besides academics 8 at State. The program takes 8 PE classes to get a T-shirt. About 75% of students do this program. For my kids who are avid sports kids with their academics huge win. Also, lots of rec sports for students to join. Club sports too.

Some great graduate programs at NC State Supply Chain and Textiles.

Thanks! He's not planning to major in either of those, but he is still deciding exactly what to major in. He likes history, but he's not sure of the practicality of a degree in history (I have a degree in history )

[Anonymous]

^ Alabama has a huge greek life... it's rated #3 in the country for Greek Life by Niche with 33% participating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sports are meh and probably not a safety, but NYU fits this. I imagine there will be some urban schools that do, given that Greek life may be a more necessary thing the more rural you get.

NYU seems very far off from what OP is describing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi! I'm looking for recommendations for schools where Greek life isn't too important. It's ok if they have some Greek, but I'm not looking for a school (to recommend to my kid) where most of the social life is Greek.
He prefers large universities (20,000 +) so that most majors are offered, and lots of activities/clubs so that there's "something for everyone." He also likes the idea of a decent Division 1 football and/or basketball team so that going to the games is a fun social event.

We already know WVU fits the bill on this one, but can anyone recommend others? We're open to looking at any part of the country.

Thank you.

I don't even know what that means. Greek like is a choice. If you want to do one, you can do one. If you don't want to be in one, no one will force you. Any Unis will fit that definition or no Unis will fit that definition.

Agreed, my oldest went to a school with a massive Greek system and set foot in a house 4 times because their favorite holiday was Halloween and this particular house through a great party. Managed to have a great social life in the plethora of academic and outdoor clubs and "establishments" in town. Now in grad school untarnished by the evil Greek stain I guess all of the big Greek fear mongers panic about, it's really quite odd. A well adjusted social kid should have no issue at a large University, there is always something for everyone.

I'm sure OP's kid will do great at any number of places. That doesn't change the question.

OK, so OP what is your threshold for Greek life, WVU is roughly 12%....is 12% your threshold? That would help drive the suggestions.

OP here

I have an older child that goes to WVU, and I didn't even realize that the Greek percentage there is 12%! I know that about half the fraternities are "disassociated" or even banned--I wonder if the are included in the 12%? But yes, WVU's percentage seems pretty good to our family--it's there if you want it, but definitely not defining the social life of the school.

Another poster mentioned 24%--and yeah, that's where we get a bit turned off. Another school that checks most his boxes is Alabama, but he is a bit concerned that if he doesn't want to join a frat, it will be hard to meet people.

Thanks!

A lot of choices than, for what it's worth I was the PP with the kid that went to a huge Greek school and didn't participate, all of these schools have a massive amount of clubs and a niche for everyone. There wouldn't be a problem at Bama, one of my best friends two kids are there now and not involved in Greek life, they play intramurals and participate in several clubs. I would recommend University of Florida as well.

[Anonymous]

Most big public universities are going to have far more students who aren't involved in greek life than who are. However, that doesn't mean they don't have a more general "drink your face off" kind of culture. That transcended nearly all social boundaries at the Big Ten school I attended.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi! I'm looking for recommendations for schools where Greek life isn't too important. It's ok if they have some Greek, but I'm not looking for a school (to recommend to my kid) where most of the social life is Greek.
He prefers large universities (20,000 +) so that most majors are offered, and lots of activities/clubs so that there's "something for everyone." He also likes the idea of a decent Division 1 football and/or basketball team so that going to the games is a fun social event.

We already know WVU fits the bill on this one, but can anyone recommend others? We're open to looking at any part of the country.

Thank you.

I don't even know what that means. Greek like is a choice. If you want to do one, you can do one. If you don't want to be in one, no one will force you. Any Unis will fit that definition or no Unis will fit that definition.

NP. I'll help you out. So, some people don't mind if a lot of the social life revolves around Greek life and they are happy to do their own thing.

Others might prefer if most of the major social activities, such as parties and other similar events, were not run by fraternities and sororities. There are schools like this. OP's child would prefer them. OP is asking what those schools are. Let me know if you have additional questions.

that's as lame as sun comes up in the morning...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^ Alabama has a huge greek life... it's rated #3 in the country for Greek Life by Niche with 33% participating.

NP. My nephew is a soph at Alabama - he pledged a fraternity second semester of his freshman year because one of his suitemates did it, but it was the most laid back experience I had ever heard of in the Greek system - definitely no “hazing” and to be honest he didn’t even seem to do activities with the frat very much. His main outlet for friends has been intramural and pick up basketball which sounds very lively there.

I mention because even at a big southern college with Greek life, there are lots of other outlets and more laid back greek experiences.

[Anonymous]

Rutgers
UMass
URI
UConn

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ Alabama has a huge greek life... it's rated #3 in the country for Greek Life by Niche with 33% participating.

NP. My nephew is a soph at Alabama - he pledged a fraternity second semester of his freshman year because one of his suitemates did it, but it was the most laid back experience I had ever heard of in the Greek system - definitely no “hazing” and to be honest he didn’t even seem to do activities with the frat very much. His main outlet for friends has been intramural and pick up basketball which sounds very lively there.

I mention because even at a big southern college with Greek life, there are lots of other outlets and more laid back greek experiences.

That hasn't been my relatives experiences with colleges in Mississippi and Alabama. I've heard them say they felt like they had to go Greek because there wasn't much else happening. My relatives at colleges in Tennessee and Georgia haven't gone Greek so maybe it's less intense there.