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

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Wow. You really need to be more specific.

[Anonymous]

Michigan State might work. It probably depends whether your kid is applying to a particular program or not for most schools this big as the acceptance rate can vary based on the specific program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow. You really need to be more specific.

Large school. Greek life not big. Sports a plus. Not too selective. I think she was specific enough.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Indiana

[Anonymous]

WVU doesn't have a big greek life? huh, would not have guessed... well it IS one of the biggest party schools in the country, so not sure if you are looking to avoid that that you'll do so at WVU.

What about UConn or URI if you're open to the northeast?

All big state schools are going to have Greek life, but usually it is of no import to you if you are not Greek because they are big enough to have lots of different pockets of kids and interests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Indiana

+1

Have one there now and another heading there in the fall. Great school with a lot to do outside of Greek life. Sports are great and lots of school spirit, the campus is really beautiful and Bloomington is a great little town. Plus is that it is easy to fly in and out.

[Anonymous]

If you get ahold of a college guidebook (such as Princeton Review's 386 Best Colleges), they literally tell you the proportion of kids involved in greek life for every college. That is going to be your best bet, for accurate information.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Michigan State might work. It probably depends whether your kid is applying to a particular program or not for most schools this big as the acceptance rate can vary based on the specific program.

+1. I was just about to make the same suggestion. While there are plenty of sororities and fraternities, the student body is so large that the social scene doesn't revolve around the Greek system. Plenty of us were "independents" and it wasn't a big deal. There are so many students that it's easy to find your people. That said, it is a big sports school but it sounds like your child is interested in sports.

[Anonymous]

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 performance at 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.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

I agree with you, OP. Once Greek life is over a certain percentage (maybe 25%), it can really dominate the social scene. How about the University of Kansas? Basketball is huge there, because it was invented there.

[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.

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.

[Anonymous]

Maybe Pitt? Rolling Decision is a huge plus.