Colleges where it sucks if you’re not Greek or sporty - help us avoid them!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My twins are first years at UVA which is described as "fratty" and is a party school in many ways.Yes, that is the scene that my DD is experiencing but she is enjoying it very much and will rush in the spring. My DS is NOT into Greek life and is not involved in any athletics on grounds. He did however join a bunch of clubs which have had parties and activities where he has enjoyed himself. He is not a drinker, usually two beers is very much his limit and that happens maybe once a month. He has been stone cold sober at these club parties and still had a good time.

I went to a SLAC that was oh about 60-70% greek at the time, and yes it was the only thing to do on the weekends. Which was fine, I found a sorority that I loved and thoroughly enjoyed my time there. Prior to, I would never have said I was someone who would rush. in fact i didn't until spring sophomore year.

My point is that there are kids at every school that are not Greek. She will just have to work harder to find them.

You post a lot all over the place and are very recognizable, starting at least last year when they were seniors. Would your twins want you writing so much about them?

[Anonymous]

My extremely introverted and completely non-sporty kid went to University of Florida. Huge SEC school. She loved it. No interest in Greek Life at all. She found her group of friends and had a great college experience. I think she went to one football game in four years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My extremely introverted and completely non-sporty kid went to University of Florida. Huge SEC school. She loved it. No interest in Greek Life at all. She found her group of friends and had a great college experience. I think she went to one football game in four years.

Maybe bigger is better in a strange way? Except then you have to be a strong self-advocate in classes and with professors.

[Anonymous]

Maybe an all-womens' school (Mt Holyoke, Barnard, Smith or Wellesley) might work. They seem to have lots of traditions, but no greek life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would also look more deeply at campus culture, without ruling out a school with a high percentage of students in Greek life. For example, my DDs LAC has a rule that all students must be able to attend all fraternity parties so no student is left out, although my DD says that doesn't mean that all students will be served. The school also has eating houses for female-identifying students so any student may participate if they choose.

Davidson? I thought the difference between gender options there was odd.

Not sure when you attended, but I think helps keep the Greek focus in check. Those who want to join eating houses self-select, they have unofficial "fraternities" for those who prefer not to join the national fraternities, they also have historically black sororities for those who prefer that, and those who don't want to join any group are welcome to attend parties if they want. My DC feels it's a good balance, but of course, that's just one opinion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would also look more deeply at campus culture, without ruling out a school with a high percentage of students in Greek life. For example, my DDs LAC has a rule that all students must be able to attend all fraternity parties so no student is left out, although my DD says that doesn't mean that all students will be served. The school also has eating houses for female-identifying students so any student may participate if they choose.

Davidson? I thought the difference between gender options there was odd.

Not sure when you attended, but I think helps keep the Greek focus in check. Those who want to join eating houses self-select, they have unofficial "fraternities" for those who prefer not to join the national fraternities, they also have historically black sororities for those who prefer that, and those who don't want to join any group are welcome to attend parties if they want. My DC feels it's a good balance, but of course, that's just one opinion.

I'm the poster with the DD there and I agree this is what she tells me. I though that the "gender options there was odd" poster isn't a graduate, but instead thought it was odd when researching the college.

[Anonymous]

Stay away from Syracuse

[Anonymous]

Sewanee is overwhelmingly greek

[Anonymous]

university of iowa

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stay away from Syracuse

+1

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2018/04/19/syracuse-university-newspaper-school-has-toxic-greek-environment-as-new-fraternity-scandal-erupts/?outputType=amp

[Anonymous]

Texas Christian and Miami University

[Anonymous]

Denison

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My extremely introverted and completely non-sporty kid went to University of Florida. Huge SEC school. She loved it. No interest in Greek Life at all. She found her group of friends and had a great college experience. I think she went to one football game in four years.

I also went to UF but went Greek (though wasn't planning to) and loved all the great sports there (as a fan, not participant). Had the time of my life.

And also was friends with many non Greeks, not sports fans, who were also having the time of their lives.

Just so much to do there.

[Anonymous]

SMU

[Anonymous]

if your child isn't interested in being greek, then he/she should be fine at most schools, as a minority are greek. if she does want to be greek and is not involved, then he/she will feel like he/she is missing out on something.