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

[Anonymous]

University of Kansas (KU). Great scholarships for out of state applicants too.

[Anonymous]

Why is your son so turned off by frats, OP? Is he a timid kid? Is he afraid that he'll rush and not get a bid? Is he popular in high school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Greek Life is kinda on its way out IMO since it is inherently exclusionary. I agree regarding IU. Bloomington is a great college town with something for everyone. You can listen to a world-caliber musical performanceat Jacobs School of Music, learn an obscure language, get a great internship opportunity through the strong alumni network (Kelley especially), be part of the newer Luddy tech center, et cetera

They aren’t as generous as they used to be with merit awards but they are available for high-achievers. Lots of out of state students and internationals. IU is generous with awarding AP credit, making it easy to double major. Yes, it is a quick plane ride from DC with a shuttle from Indy.

Ha It's more popular than ever before

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Yup. Ohio State comes to mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is your son so turned off by frats, OP? Is he a timid kid? Is he afraid that he'll rush and not get a bid? Is he popular in high school?

I'm not sure what his reasons are. He said he isn't interested and I am just glad. The reasons I, as his mom, don't want Greek life--well mostly because of what happened at VCU a few weeks ago. And what happened at WVU with Nolan Burch. And what happens with at least a few college students every year. The excess drinking to the point of death.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTOnrwIQGYY
This is a link to a documentary called "Breathe Nolan Breath." It's about Nolan Burch and I've posted it on here before.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is your son so turned off by frats, OP? Is he a timid kid? Is he afraid that he'll rush and not get a bid? Is he popular in high school?

I'm not sure what his reasons are. He said he isn't interested and I am just glad. The reasons I, as his mom, don't want Greek life--well mostly because of what happened at VCU a few weeks ago. And what happened at WVU with Nolan Burch. And what happens with at least a few college students every year. The excess drinking to the point of death.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTOnrwIQGYY
This is a link to a documentary called "Breathe Nolan Breath." It's about Nolan Burch and I've posted it on here before.

OP, I'm not the PP you were responding to, that was over the top. My thoughts are I wouldn't let a large greek contingent at a large school discourage you from a school your child REALLY likes, at a large school there is a multitude of things to participate in beyond the greek system, to make it a deal breaker might be a bit much, MIT has a 45% greek rate with 25 fraternities and 6 sororities, would your child not go there? Additionally, unless he get's a job or has a really large allowance there's no way to join a fraternity without your endorsement. If they aren't interested in the culture and parties than there is a club for almost anything and everything on a major campus. The fit, feel and vibe are the key in my opinion.

[Anonymous]

Kansas State, NC State, really any large mostly STEM or science focused university will not have an especially dominate frat scene, because that's not why the students are there.

Twenty years ago I purposely went to a small college with no greek system, because I didn't want to feel like I had to participate in a greek system to have a social life. I was also LMC and knew I couldn't afford to do that anyhow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is your son so turned off by frats, OP? Is he a timid kid? Is he afraid that he'll rush and not get a bid? Is he popular in high school?

I'm not sure what his reasons are. He said he isn't interested and I am just glad. The reasons I, as his mom, don't want Greek life--well mostly because of what happened at VCU a few weeks ago. And what happened at WVU with Nolan Burch. And what happens with at least a few college students every year. The excess drinking to the point of death.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTOnrwIQGYY
This is a link to a documentary called "Breathe Nolan Breath." It's about Nolan Burch and I've posted it on here before.

OP, I'm not the PP you were responding to, that was over the top. My thoughts are I wouldn't let a large greek contingent at a large school discourage you from a school your child REALLY likes, at a large school there is a multitude of things to participate in beyond the greek system, to make it a deal breaker might be a bit much, MIT has a 45% greek rate with 25 fraternities and 6 sororities, would your child not go there? Additionally, unless he get's a job or has a really large allowance there's no way to join a fraternity without your endorsement. If they aren't interested in the culture and parties than there is a club for almost anything and everything on a major campus. The fit, feel and vibe are the key in my opinion.

I see nothing "over the top" about not wanting my child to drink himself to death to impress "friends."

That being said, I'm not refusing to allow my kid to a school with a huge Greek presence, or to pledge a fraternity if he wants to. HE is the one who doesn't want it, and I see no reason to push him into it.

My child is not getting into MIT, so that isn't even a consideration.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is your son so turned off by frats, OP? Is he a timid kid? Is he afraid that he'll rush and not get a bid? Is he popular in high school?

I'm not sure what his reasons are. He said he isn't interested and I am just glad. The reasons I, as his mom, don't want Greek life--well mostly because of what happened at VCU a few weeks ago. And what happened at WVU with Nolan Burch. And what happens with at least a few college students every year. The excess drinking to the point of death.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTOnrwIQGYY
This is a link to a documentary called "Breathe Nolan Breath." It's about Nolan Burch and I've posted it on here before.

OP, I'm not the PP you were responding to, that was over the top. My thoughts are I wouldn't let a large greek contingent at a large school discourage you from a school your child REALLY likes, at a large school there is a multitude of things to participate in beyond the greek system, to make it a deal breaker might be a bit much, MIT has a 45% greek rate with 25 fraternities and 6 sororities, would your child not go there? Additionally, unless he get's a job or has a really large allowance there's no way to join a fraternity without your endorsement. If they aren't interested in the culture and parties than there is a club for almost anything and everything on a major campus. The fit, feel and vibe are the key in my opinion.

I see nothing "over the top" about not wanting my child to drink himself to death to impress "friends."

That being said, I'm not refusing to allow my kid to a school with a huge Greek presence, or to pledge a fraternity if he wants to. HE is the one who doesn't want it, and I see no reason to push him into it.

My child is not getting into MIT, so that isn't even a consideration.

I was calling the bolded type over the top not your response. Not sure what else to say, you asked the original question and made the original post, I believe that was the premise of everyone's response. If you don't care than and he is the one that is making the decision because he's not interested than I would suggest you have a variety of good options high greek or not. The MIT reference was only for context, point being even elite schools have a high % of greek life, I believe it should not be a consideration if a good fit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is your son so turned off by frats, OP? Is he a timid kid? Is he afraid that he'll rush and not get a bid? Is he popular in high school?

I'm not sure what his reasons are. He said he isn't interested and I am just glad. The reasons I, as his mom, don't want Greek life--well mostly because of what happened at VCU a few weeks ago. And what happened at WVU with Nolan Burch. And what happens with at least a few college students every year. The excess drinking to the point of death.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTOnrwIQGYY
This is a link to a documentary called "Breathe Nolan Breath." It's about Nolan Burch and I've posted it on here before.

OP, I'm not the PP you were responding to, that was over the top. My thoughts are I wouldn't let a large greek contingent at a large school discourage you from a school your child REALLY likes, at a large school there is a multitude of things to participate in beyond the greek system, to make it a deal breaker might be a bit much, MIT has a 45% greek rate with 25 fraternities and 6 sororities, would your child not go there? Additionally, unless he get's a job or has a really large allowance there's no way to join a fraternity without your endorsement. If they aren't interested in the culture and parties than there is a club for almost anything and everything on a major campus. The fit, feel and vibe are the key in my opinion.

I see nothing "over the top" about not wanting my child to drink himself to death to impress "friends."

That being said, I'm not refusing to allow my kid to a school with a huge Greek presence, or to pledge a fraternity if he wants to. HE is the one who doesn't want it, and I see no reason to push him into it.

My child is not getting into MIT, so that isn't even a consideration.

I was calling the bolded type over the top not your response. Not sure what else to say, you asked the original question and made the original post, I believe that was the premise of everyone's response. If you don't care than and he is the one that is making the decision because he's not interested than I would suggest you have a variety of good options high greek or not. The MIT reference was only for context, point being even elite schools have a high % of greek life, I believe it should not be a consideration if a good fit.

Why is your son so turned off by frats, OP? Is he a timid kid? Is he afraid that he'll rush and not get a bid? Is he popular in high school?

This quote.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is your son so turned off by frats, OP? Is he a timid kid? Is he afraid that he'll rush and not get a bid? Is he popular in high school?

I'm not sure what his reasons are. He said he isn't interested and I am just glad. The reasons I, as his mom, don't want Greek life--well mostly because of what happened at VCU a few weeks ago. And what happened at WVU with Nolan Burch. And what happens with at least a few college students every year. The excess drinking to the point of death.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTOnrwIQGYY
This is a link to a documentary called "Breathe Nolan Breath." It's about Nolan Burch and I've posted it on here before.

OP, I'm not the PP you were responding to, that was over the top. My thoughts are I wouldn't let a large greek contingent at a large school discourage you from a school your child REALLY likes, at a large school there is a multitude of things to participate in beyond the greek system, to make it a deal breaker might be a bit much, MIT has a 45% greek rate with 25 fraternities and 6 sororities, would your child not go there? Additionally, unless he get's a job or has a really large allowance there's no way to join a fraternity without your endorsement. If they aren't interested in the culture and parties than there is a club for almost anything and everything on a major campus. The fit, feel and vibe are the key in my opinion.

I see nothing "over the top" about not wanting my child to drink himself to death to impress "friends."

That being said, I'm not refusing to allow my kid to a school with a huge Greek presence, or to pledge a fraternity if he wants to. HE is the one who doesn't want it, and I see no reason to push him into it.

My child is not getting into MIT, so that isn't even a consideration.

I was calling the bolded type over the top not your response. Not sure what else to say, you asked the original question and made the original post, I believe that was the premise of everyone's response. If you don't care than and he is the one that is making the decision because he's not interested than I would suggest you have a variety of good options high greek or not. The MIT reference was only for context, point being even elite schools have a high % of greek life, I believe it should not be a consideration if a good fit.

Why is your son so turned off by frats, OP? Is he a timid kid? Is he afraid that he'll rush and not get a bid? Is he popular in high school?

This quote.

Posts that are clearly written by complete losers should be ignored. A mom of a teen is looking for advice on colleges and THAT is the response?? My 9 year old has more sense than to treat another human being that way.

[Anonymous]

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.

When everyone except shut-ins is associated with Greek Life, it really doesn't become a choice unless the student just wants to be a shut-in

[Anonymous]

Avoid Southern schools - i.e. UVA, Washington & Lee, Duke, UNC, Georgia

Avoid schools based in rural areas (unless they are SLACs that explicitly ban Greek life) - i.e. Dartmouth, UIUC

Look at urban schools - i.e. UCLA, NYU, Georgetown, etc. These tend to have less Greek Life, or even if they have a good contingent in Greek Life, it doesn't completely dominate the social scene as students have other options for social life.

[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.

When everyone except shut-ins is associated with Greek Life, it really doesn't become a choice unless the student just wants to be a shut-in

I think you missed the part where PP gets to define what peoples' wants and needs should be. Try to keep up.

[Anonymous]

Came here specifically to say Michigan State and see two people beat me to it on the first page!
DCUM really does know some stuff. Sometimes.
OP, the happy Michigan State grads I know were theater kids who now work in public ed and arts.