UVA Greek System

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have two at UVA both in Greek system, both in houses considered “middle tier” meaning not the super rich people. Most of the sororities are pretty low key, there are 15 of them so really a good range. Going through rush she’ll get to meet all of them and then both sides whittle down the list as rush goes on. As long as she doesn’t have hopes for any particular house, she will be fine. Dies for mine are about $800-1000 per semester, more the first semester. There are wide variances on dues FYI depending on the house.

immigrant here who is totally clueless on Greek life... can you explain more what "tier" means... are these fraternities/sororities sorted out by economic status?

It is just part of the grossness.

My kid chose schools that ban organizations which are not open to all students.

Please don’t think that Greek life is embraced by most Americans.

"Most Americans" don't go to four year colleges. The Greek experience is a college one for those who choose to participate.

Obviously, yes. But I did not want this immigrant to think of this choice as American, or even chosen by most American college students (and to understand that many progressive families avoid schools that still allow Greek organizations on campus).

This is laughable and completely inaccurate. So wrong.

NP here. Certainly one family is not a trend, but this is absolutely true of my family. Whenever my kids talk about UVA we end up circling around to the Greek scene, though I have heard from some (and believe them) that there are sororities for normal kids, not just pretty and rich ones. And in fact, segregation by wealth is common in universities, even outside of the Greek scene, simply because some kids can afford to go out all of the time, go on expensive spring break trips, etc. and others can't... so they sort of segregate over the course of freshman year.

What I hate about Greek life is the rush system, even if it is organized more humanely than in years' past. At its heart, you are taking teenagers who are naturally insecure about themselves and how the world sees them. And who are almost always away from the security blanket of home for the first time. And putting them through a process where their peers are judging them based on relatively little information and a limited timeframe and very explicitly grouping them into "people they like" and "people they don't like." (or worse, "people who are not good enough for us." That's a tough situation for anyone, but if you had to pick one time in your life where it is particularly problematic, it is late adolescence when you are away from home for the first time.

This is one of the reasons that many schools have pushed Rush back to January-- the kids are on a bit more solid ground and not the first weeks away from home. But even so, I strongly encourage my kids to consider this in the college selection decision, and my oldest dd (now in college) -- who rarely considered my opinion on many aspects-- tended to concur on this one and had a column in her college wish-list spreadsheet about the prevalence of sororities, and warns her younger sisters whenever they speak about a school where Greek life is big.

But you or your kids didn't go to UVA, right? I didn't think so . . . .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have two at UVA both in Greek system, both in houses considered “middle tier” meaning not the super rich people. Most of the sororities are pretty low key, there are 15 of them so really a good range. Going through rush she’ll get to meet all of them and then both sides whittle down the list as rush goes on. As long as she doesn’t have hopes for any particular house, she will be fine. Dies for mine are about $800-1000 per semester, more the first semester. There are wide variances on dues FYI depending on the house.

immigrant here who is totally clueless on Greek life... can you explain more what "tier" means... are these fraternities/sororities sorted out by economic status?

It is just part of the grossness.

My kid chose schools that ban organizations which are not open to all students.

Please don’t think that Greek life is embraced by most Americans.

"Most Americans" don't go to four year colleges. The Greek experience is a college one for those who choose to participate.

Obviously, yes. But I did not want this immigrant to think of this choice as American, or even chosen by most American college students (and to understand that many progressive families avoid schools that still allow Greek organizations on campus).

This is laughable and completely inaccurate. So wrong.

NP here. Certainly one family is not a trend, but this is absolutely true of my family. Whenever my kids talk about UVA we end up circling around to the Greek scene, though I have heard from some (and believe them) that there are sororities for normal kids, not just pretty and rich ones. And in fact, segregation by wealth is common in universities, even outside of the Greek scene, simply because some kids can afford to go out all of the time, go on expensive spring break trips, etc. and others can't... so they sort of segregate over the course of freshman year.

What I hate about Greek life is the rush system, even if it is organized more humanely than in years' past. At its heart, you are taking teenagers who are naturally insecure about themselves and how the world sees them. And who are almost always away from the security blanket of home for the first time. And putting them through a process where their peers are judging them based on relatively little information and a limited timeframe and very explicitly grouping them into "people they like" and "people they don't like." (or worse, "people who are not good enough for us." That's a tough situation for anyone, but if you had to pick one time in your life where it is particularly problematic, it is late adolescence when you are away from home for the first time.

This is one of the reasons that many schools have pushed Rush back to January-- the kids are on a bit more solid ground and not the first weeks away from home. But even so, I strongly encourage my kids to consider this in the college selection decision, and my oldest dd (now in college) -- who rarely considered my opinion on many aspects-- tended to concur on this one and had a column in her college wish-list spreadsheet about the prevalence of sororities, and warns her younger sisters whenever they speak about a school where Greek life is big.

But you or your kids didn't go to UVA, right? I didn't think so . . . .

+1
Again we don't need to debate the greek system here, we've done that ad nauseam. OP is asking about the UVA greek system. There is plenty of information here for the OP to review, without people imparting their personal views on greek life, particularly if they have A. never been in it or B. never been to UVA or have kids there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have two at UVA both in Greek system, both in houses considered “middle tier” meaning not the super rich people. Most of the sororities are pretty low key, there are 15 of them so really a good range. Going through rush she’ll get to meet all of them and then both sides whittle down the list as rush goes on. As long as she doesn’t have hopes for any particular house, she will be fine. Dies for mine are about $800-1000 per semester, more the first semester. There are wide variances on dues FYI depending on the house.

immigrant here who is totally clueless on Greek life... can you explain more what "tier" means... are these fraternities/sororities sorted out by economic status?

It is just part of the grossness.

My kid chose schools that ban organizations which are not open to all students.

Please don’t think that Greek life is embraced by most Americans.

"Most Americans" don't go to four year colleges. The Greek experience is a college one for those who choose to participate.

OP can start here.

https://www.greekrank.com/uni/35/sororities/byrank/


Obviously, yes. But I did not want this immigrant to think of this choice as American, or even chosen by most American college students (and to understand that many progressive families avoid schools that still allow Greek organizations on campus).

This is laughable and completely inaccurate. So wrong.

NP here. Certainly one family is not a trend, but this is absolutely true of my family. Whenever my kids talk about UVA we end up circling around to the Greek scene, though I have heard from some (and believe them) that there are sororities for normal kids, not just pretty and rich ones. And in fact, segregation by wealth is common in universities, even outside of the Greek scene, simply because some kids can afford to go out all of the time, go on expensive spring break trips, etc. and others can't... so they sort of segregate over the course of freshman year.

What I hate about Greek life is the rush system, even if it is organized more humanely than in years' past. At its heart, you are taking teenagers who are naturally insecure about themselves and how the world sees them. And who are almost always away from the security blanket of home for the first time. And putting them through a process where their peers are judging them based on relatively little information and a limited timeframe and very explicitly grouping them into "people they like" and "people they don't like." (or worse, "people who are not good enough for us." That's a tough situation for anyone, but if you had to pick one time in your life where it is particularly problematic, it is late adolescence when you are away from home for the first time.

This is one of the reasons that many schools have pushed Rush back to January-- the kids are on a bit more solid ground and not the first weeks away from home. But even so, I strongly encourage my kids to consider this in the college selection decision, and my oldest dd (now in college) -- who rarely considered my opinion on many aspects-- tended to concur on this one and had a column in her college wish-list spreadsheet about the prevalence of sororities, and warns her younger sisters whenever they speak about a school where Greek life is big.

But you or your kids didn't go to UVA, right? I didn't think so . . . .

+1
Again we don't need to debate the greek system here, we've done that ad nauseam. OP is asking about the UVA greek system. There is plenty of information here for the OP to review, without people imparting their personal views on greek life, particularly if they have A. never been in it or B. never been to UVA or have kids there.

[Anonymous]

OP can start here for large sample of non-objective UVA strat rankings.

https://www.greekrank.com/uni/35/sororities/byrank/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They know you’re rich based on your high school usually. You don’t want to be the one who can’t afford to do stuff and they don’t want to be limited by someone who can’t afford that lifestyle. UVA is built on traditions, some good some bad. The Greek system has a continuity of traditions passed down year to year and an aversion to systemic change. You can have a great experience if the house is a good match.

Your typical NoVa public school girl won’t have a shot at the “top tier.” If she’s definitely going to rush, I don’t think it hurts to be frank about stuff like that. It can be a pretty harsh letdown if they get their hopes up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
OP can start here for large sample of non-objective UVA strat rankings.

https://www.greekrank.com/uni/35/sororities/byrank/

The “ranks” on Greekrank are based on the rankings given on that website and as such are completely and totally inaccurate.

If you look at the discussion section, people post ranks and you can generally find some consensus. Again the rankings only matter if you want your kid mixing with the “top” (aka wealthy) frats. All of the fraternities and sororities have different personalities and most people can find their home in the low and middle tiers. My very non Greek type DS is in one of the lower frats and he would not be anywhere else. He loves his brothers and they are very close and have a lot of fun. Do they mix with the top sororities? No. Do they want to? No. Again all of the Greek system participants are UVA students. It’s not like the people in the lower ranked houses are losers. They are all super smart, hard working, and will be successful in life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They know you’re rich based on your high school usually. You don’t want to be the one who can’t afford to do stuff and they don’t want to be limited by someone who can’t afford that lifestyle. UVA is built on traditions, some good some bad. The Greek system has a continuity of traditions passed down year to year and an aversion to systemic change. You can have a great experience if the house is a good match.

Your typical NoVa public school girl won’t have a shot at the “top tier.” If she’s definitely going to rush, I don’t think it hurts to be frank about stuff like that. It can be a pretty harsh letdown if they get their hopes up.

This is very true. And if the girls go into it knowing this, they will have a softer landing where they end up. My DD knew she didn’t have a shot at the top 3 but she of course had great discussions with them and was hopeful. Cut the first day of course. Just like with colleges, they need to fall in love with the match and safety options, not the reaches.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Based on wealth? How do they know how wealthy your family is? Besides, this is UVA, a state public school. Most people I know who are genuinely wealthy opt to go to private colleges. Most people I know who are gunning for UVA, WM, VA Tech are donut hole families (so not uber wealthy).

Well you are probably one of those people who think that UVA only appeals to Va residents. Most of the “wealthy” kids at UVA come from out of state and those top tier sororities are almost exclusively populated with OOS kids from NYC, New England, CA, IL etc.

This absolutely was NOT the case when I was at UVA 30 years ago. The rich girls in Kappa, Theta, and Tri-Delt (and Pi Phi, which was the other “top” house back then) were disproportionately from private southern schools—VA, obviously, but also lots of Texas, Georgia, Louisiana, and South Carolina.

Is it true that these houses are all northern rich kids now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Based on wealth? How do they know how wealthy your family is? Besides, this is UVA, a state public school. Most people I know who are genuinely wealthy opt to go to private colleges. Most people I know who are gunning for UVA, WM, VA Tech are donut hole families (so not uber wealthy).

Well you are probably one of those people who think that UVA only appeals to Va residents. Most of the “wealthy” kids at UVA come from out of state and those top tier sororities are almost exclusively populated with OOS kids from NYC, New England, CA, IL etc.

This absolutely was NOT the case when I was at UVA 30 years ago. The rich girls in Kappa, Theta, and Tri-Delt (and Pi Phi, which was the other “top” house back then) were disproportionately from private southern schools—VA, obviously, but also lots of Texas, Georgia, Louisiana, and South Carolina.

Is it true that these houses are all northern rich kids now?

I have a relative in Kappa and she and most of her friends are from New England, a lot of Fairfield county, NYC and NE boarding schools. So yeah a lot of northeastern girls. I’m sure there are southern rich too but the NE boarding school kids populate the top tier in both sororities and fraternities.

[Anonymous]

They love the top tier private schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
OP can start here for large sample of non-objective UVA strat rankings.

https://www.greekrank.com/uni/35/sororities/byrank/

Ugh. I couldn't get past "top tier girls." Yuck. So glad my daughter found a great group of friends and none of them decided to rush.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
OP can start here for large sample of non-objective UVA strat rankings.

https://www.greekrank.com/uni/35/sororities/byrank/

Ugh. I couldn't get past "top tier girls." Yuck. So glad my daughter found a great group of friends and none of them decided to rush.

It’s just a term and mostly just applies to wealth at UVA. It doesn’t mean they are any better than anyone else but girls have to be mature enough to understand that. Generally they do and are very happy where they end up. Others will drop out of rush and it could be a humbling experience for some. Frankly it’s not THAT bad even if the process is painful when it’s happening. My DD had a very tough and humbling rush compared to her friends but she now says she wouldn’t be happy in any other sorority than the one she’s in. She ended up in the right place. One thing that they will hear throughout rush is “trust the process” and while I felt for my DD last year and didn’t want anyone to say those words to me at the time, it really was true. I will also say that while her first year best friends ended up at several different sororities, they all remain friends and no one feels better than anyone else. My dd knows several people in top tier sororities and none of them are judgmental of her or consider her “less than”. It’s just not as bad as some anti Greek people think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
OP can start here for large sample of non-objective UVA strat rankings.

https://www.greekrank.com/uni/35/sororities/byrank/

Ugh. I couldn't get past "top tier girls." Yuck. So glad my daughter found a great group of friends and none of them decided to rush.

It’s just a term and mostly just applies to wealth at UVA. It doesn’t mean they are any better than anyone else but girls have to be mature enough to understand that. Generally they do and are very happy where they end up. Others will drop out of rush and it could be a humbling experience for some. Frankly it’s not THAT bad even if the process is painful when it’s happening. My DD had a very tough and humbling rush compared to her friends but she now says she wouldn’t be happy in any other sorority than the one she’s in. She ended up in the right place. One thing that they will hear throughout rush is “trust the process” and while I felt for my DD last year and didn’t want anyone to say those words to me at the time, it really was true. I will also say that while her first year best friends ended up at several different sororities, they all remain friends and no one feels better than anyone else. My dd knows several people in top tier sororities and none of them are judgmental of her or consider her “less than”. It’s just not as bad as some anti Greek people think.

I'm sorry - but with every post you're just making this sound worse and worse. I have no idea why some girls (and guys) allow themselves to be "rated" by their peers, but to each their own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
OP can start here for large sample of non-objective UVA strat rankings.

https://www.greekrank.com/uni/35/sororities/byrank/

Ugh. I couldn't get past "top tier girls." Yuck. So glad my daughter found a great group of friends and none of them decided to rush.

It’s just a term and mostly just applies to wealth at UVA. It doesn’t mean they are any better than anyone else but girls have to be mature enough to understand that. Generally they do and are very happy where they end up. Others will drop out of rush and it could be a humbling experience for some. Frankly it’s not THAT bad even if the process is painful when it’s happening. My DD had a very tough and humbling rush compared to her friends but she now says she wouldn’t be happy in any other sorority than the one she’s in. She ended up in the right place. One thing that they will hear throughout rush is “trust the process” and while I felt for my DD last year and didn’t want anyone to say those words to me at the time, it really was true. I will also say that while her first year best friends ended up at several different sororities, they all remain friends and no one feels better than anyone else. My dd knows several people in top tier sororities and none of them are judgmental of her or consider her “less than”. It’s just not as bad as some anti Greek people think.

I'm sorry - but with every post you're just making this sound worse and worse. I have no idea why some girls (and guys) allow themselves to be "rated" by their peers, but to each their own.

Yep to each their own. My DD is thoroughly enjoying being part of the Greek system but I’m sure would be just as happy non Greek at a school that doesn’t have it. There is a place for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
OP can start here for large sample of non-objective UVA strat rankings.

https://www.greekrank.com/uni/35/sororities/byrank/

Ugh. I couldn't get past "top tier girls." Yuck. So glad my daughter found a great group of friends and none of them decided to rush.

It’s just a term and mostly just applies to wealth at UVA. It doesn’t mean they are any better than anyone else but girls have to be mature enough to understand that. Generally they do and are very happy where they end up. Others will drop out of rush and it could be a humbling experience for some. Frankly it’s not THAT bad even if the process is painful when it’s happening. My DD had a very tough and humbling rush compared to her friends but she now says she wouldn’t be happy in any other sorority than the one she’s in. She ended up in the right place. One thing that they will hear throughout rush is “trust the process” and while I felt for my DD last year and didn’t want anyone to say those words to me at the time, it really was true. I will also say that while her first year best friends ended up at several different sororities, they all remain friends and no one feels better than anyone else. My dd knows several people in top tier sororities and none of them are judgmental of her or consider her “less than”. It’s just not as bad as some anti Greek people think.

Trust the process? That you will be cut because you're not rich enough? Lol