A few questions for current students (or anyone knowledgable)

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Virginia
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<p>Okay, I've been hearing a lot lately about the "cliquiness" of UVa students. I know that in a school this big, you're going to have all types of people, but is this a fairly permeating thing?</p>

<p>Also, I know UVa has a big Greek system. As far as sororities go, are there any that aren't into the partying/superficial scene? I know that's probably another generalization, but so far all anyone has talked about in relation to the Greek scene are frats and the drinking that goes on, so I probably have a skewed view.</p>

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<p>wow... there is a huge thread all about this already...........</p>

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<p>You're right, there's a huge presence of greek students, and they're always around you. However, as a non-greek student myself (in fact, I'm against their morality), I try to engage myself in other activities. Since I live in Brown College (generally liberal), it's easy for me to find more things to do outside the context of drinking and partying.</p>

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<p>while i think maybe this thread should be kept to the other thread already started, there is an honor/academic/community service co-ed frat (right?) which isn't into all that stuff... or am i wrong?</p>

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<p>Yeah, APO!</p>

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<p>there are tons of things to do that arn't greek. as opposed to what some people would like you to believe, only 1/3 of the school is greek. it isn't overwhelming if you dont want it to be.</p>

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<p>Okay, well the other thread is about the frats.....correct me if i'm wrong, but frats and sororities are two entirely different things. As a girl, I won't be joining a frat. That's why I didn't post on that thread. Also, is the big Greek scene where the reputation of clique-iness comes from?</p>

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<p>I think a lot of the clique-iness comes from the greek system, largely because of their air of exclusivity. In sum, they act like a lot of high school kids who feel they have to conform to stereotype in order to fit into a group. A lot of greek students like to engage in popular contests - evident in Greek Week for example. This is especially true for sorority girls who continually bittch and judge other girls, both greek and non-greek.</p>

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<p>Trelilly--and other girls wondering about this..</p>

<p>I have resisted getting involved in the "frat" fray, as I feel the arguements are simply too well worn. However, I know that you and others are facing some big decisions this month about where you will be attending school next year, and I think your question is a good one. My D is in a sorority at UVa, and has a very different perspective than many of the participants on CC. I would like to explain what her experience has been, as I have rarely seen input regarding this from people on CC who have actually been involved within the sorority system (or at least have a D that is involved!) as opposed to the frats. Hopefully, all opinions are welcome here, right?</p>

<p>As background, D is a second year--west coast, casual type who wore jeans and flip-flops most days in high school. She is accepting, moderately liberal, active and athletic. Enjoys an occasional dress up, but certainly has other priorities. DESPISES "girl drama", cliques, etc. She was drawn to UVa to experience and enjoy a different environment/culture--and that is what she got. You can check my past posts for some of her initial trepidation with regards to the university's reputation for conformity--it's just not her cup of tea. And, by fate or luck, she ran into quite of bit of it during her first year (thru roomie's friends...whatever) Definitely some girls there who like the "finer things" that daddy can buy, and spend a lot of time talking about it..enough said. Fast forward to second year--those girls all found the perfect sorority to continue their talks. D says there IS a perfect place for them, and she remains their casual friend. But D also rushed, and said that her sorority has been the ideal way to meet and get to really know a wonderfully diverse and great group of friends. She feels that the different sororities really do draw different types of girls, and though the mutual selection process is FAR from perfect, that she thinks it has enabled her to get to know, in depth, some really fantastic girls. Are they a clique? Not any more than the student organization she has become involved with. Or the employees at work that she hangs with. Or her friends in her premajor that study together. It's all about balance. And what made me think to write today is a listing I just saw of the states that D's pledge class of 32 are from: Tennessee, Virginia (8-10), North Carolina (several), Colorado, Texas (2), New Jersey, California (several), Maryland (2), Alabama, Massachusetts, Florida, and New York (2). D says that amongst them there are several Jewish gals, a black, an Asian, several (or more) non drinkers, some very strong Christians, a few big partiers....and two Jefferson Scholars. All this in ONE pledge class of 32. I think the appropriate term here is "melting-pot" not clique. And she really loves them all.</p>

<p>D's experience at UVa has turned into something extraordinary. She loves it. And she says that her sorority has been one of the best things about her time there............just another perspective.</p>

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<p>"And what made me think to write today is a listing I just saw of the states that D's pledge class of 32 are from: Tennessee, Virginia (8-10), North Carolina (several), Colorado, Texas (2), New Jersey, California (several), Maryland (2), Alabama, Massachusetts, Florida, and New York (2)."</p>

<p>Most of these states are in the South, and there isn't much geographical diversity if you examine which states these girls come from. Which sorority is your daughter in? KKG? KAT?</p>

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<p>are you kidding me tennis? you can't get more geographically diverse than that group. your anti-frat positions are pathetic and you stereotype people much more than any frat does. people don't come to this site to read your far left agenda, so get over yourself.</p>

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<p>tenniscraze: Last time I checked, CO, NJ, CA, MD, MA, and NY are all above the Mason Dixon line, and Texas and Florida may be in the South but they don't embrace the "southern charm" that VA/NC/AL/TN have. Also, UVA is in the south, and other than Duke/Vandy, there's not really any other primetime schools. Thus, there's going to be a large Southern presence.
I agree with bigdirs: maybe you should give a little more to your posts, and stop bashing the Greek like everytime you can. If you want to point out that Greek life is a large factor but there's ways to avoid it, fine. Or even if you want to state that Greek life has a large southern presence due to its location. But just going around saying all Greeks are conforming to stupidity and that there's no diversity just isn't true, and it isnt helpful. Frankly, it may turn people off from UVA, and that isn't a good way to go about because a) its your school and you should have some pride in it, including its goods and bads and b) some of your points have no data/info to support them, which is giving people a false idea.</p>

<p>To the OP: yes, there are going to be clique-y, typical "sorority girls" at UVA. They'll be at any D1 school, and especially in the South. But I have friends in the sororities there, and one of them is a girl i'd never expect to rush/join because she's very much on her own, athletic, smart, pretty, majoring in the E-school, and enjoys a wealth of friends. While she is sometimes absorbed into her little group of friends, she just didn't have the typical sorority persona. However, she loves it, and of the girls i've met, they seem really laid-back and nice, but still uphold the values and sisterhood that sororities are known for. If I end up transferring, I know I will atleast rush, simply to figure out if its for me or not, but I hope to join a sorority if I find one I can succeed with. I too don't want a sorority focused on partying (too much work to be done in the e-school for me), but rather girls that do enjoy having fun and want to help out each other and the community.</p>

<p>So, yes, cliques will exist anywhere. But with 13K undergrads, they're fairly hard to find, and you may find yourself in one of 9-10 girls (usually first year hallmates), regardless of being in a sorority or not. But its definently not like high school where you will constantly feel singled out or alone, and its hard to be wrapped up in "clique-y" bullcrap. UVA may be primarily white/southern, but there's people for everyone. That's the beauty of college.</p>

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<p>Thanks everyone, your posts were really helpful. If I end up at UVa, I might rush to see how it is. Incidentally, caseyatbat, what sorority is your daughter in? It sounds like the kind of thing I had in mind.</p>