Class of 2015 Greek here, ask away.

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
1

<p>Whether it be about Greek (I'm in a fraternity, btw, so I'm a guy), academia, the area, any questions at all, feel free to ask and I will do the best I can to help you out. Just a little bit about me:</p>

<p>Transfer student from Cal State Northridge after my freshman year
Rushed my first fall at USC, my sophomore year
3.9 GPA transfer, and after my first year it's lookin to be about a 3.7 (first semester was a bit rough, not cause I rushed, cause I legit just didn't do the work I needed to, better now).
I am a commuter as well, about an hour drive, looking into housing right now for Fall 2013</p>

<p>Ask away!</p>

2

<p>Is rush a formal thing like the sororities do where you go to all of the frats
or just casual invites to houses?</p>

3

<p>Thinking about rushing ATO if I get accepted. What should I know?</p>

4

<p>Sadiedog: No it is not a super formal thing like sororities. Here at SC, what happens is on the Sunday before classes start (AKA day before) there will be a big BBQ, normally at either McCarthy Quad or Alumni Park, where all the fraternities will have pitched up tents and you can walk around and talk to all of the guys in all of the fraternities. This is such a huge day, not in the sense that it is important to the fraternities, it’s big for rushees because you get a chance to talk to ALL the fraternities one after another, and see which ones are a fit for you. Because some will seem like asshats to you, some may seem weird or awkward, or too party, or whatever. This is your chance to dwindle it down to a couple two or three fraternities. But after that it’s simply go out to their events. They’re open to all guys interested in rushing, but you gotta choose wisely. Cause most likely if you go to one event, that’ll be your event for the night. Eventually come Thursday or Friday there will be the Blue Chip Dinner. That’s an invite only event, a formal dinner with the fraternity. You get to this, chances are you will get extended a bid. Then it’s pledge time!</p>

<p>uschopeful2018: about ATO or fraternities or rush? Cause rush is there ^^</p>

<p>Fraternities in general: range in interests, popularity, etc. Always hard to pick out who is top and who isn’t, expecially with fraternities. Changes so often and so quick it’s just, bleh.</p>

<p>ATO: I know a couples guys in that one. One is chill the other is a total ass. If you have expectations about any fraternity beforehand, just throw them out the window. If you have a friend in it, I caution you not to blindly join cause of one familiar person. I had that exact scenario with another fraternity, I came to hate the other guys minus my friend, and joined a different fraternity. My only words of advice are basically keep an open mind and don’t auto rush any fraternity, could be bad news.</p>

5

<p>How is the greek life ? Is it worth it for a Junior transfer to join ? Is the connections and networking worth the hazing ?</p>

6

<p>I’ve heard that by junior and senior year, frats are rarely joined. Those are key years in college, and time is better spent elsewhere. Perhaps wolfie can clarify?</p>

7

<p>I’m sure wolfie has more to say, but thought I’d chime in to clarify the correlation (or not) of 12345game10’s question. Guys don’t not join frats in junior/senior years because the time is better spent elsewhere. It’s mainly because it’s harder to get in a frat when older and if you haven’t joined by then, then your interests probably don’t lie in that social arena anyway. I’d say the general exception is for transfer students; a transfer junior has a better chance of getting in than a first-year admit.</p>

<p>As for time better spent elsewhere, it’s up to each person, but being in a frat is not supposed to define your undergrad experience so much as enhance it. It’s up to you whether you want to focus on the frat or get involved with other things too.</p>

8

<p>I mean I was wondering if like how much beneficial it would be … like the networking … not for the fun, ok maybe a little, but mainly for networking and connections is it worth it for a junior to join a frat? and how well connected are these greeks at usc …</p>

9

<p>Again, I defer to Wolfie, but if you’re joining a frat “a little” for the fun “but mainly the networking” then you’re looking at the wrong place. For example, you’re a business student and want business connections. Why join any one of several Greek frats that each has some business connections when instead you could join the professional business frat at USC that is built predominately for that reason, and the entrepreneurship club, and the Student Alumni Society, etc. You could develop a bunch of connections and network without the hazing aspect. </p>

<p>It’s very annoying when it seems someone joining a fraternal or social or academic organization only views it as a networking and career opportunity.</p>

10

<p>Transfer2013: Yes! Totally! Some fraternities aren’t the biggest fans, mainly cause of longevity, but many still would love to take you on, even as a junior transfer! I know that in my fraternity, four out of the 11 pledges from this Spring were juniors, and we couldn’t be happier they joined. Don’t let the year deter you from joining a fraternity. And keep in mind not all fraternities haze, and definitely some haze much worse than others. </p>

<p>And to the main question on why people don’t: Greek life, to them, probably just isn’t worth it. But I say definitely join, even if it is for primarily professional reasons. Why not? You get to meet fun people and have fun, all while building those professional connections. I already, in one full year of participation in my fraternity, have met men from all across the country and in very powerful spots to help me out in the future. So the exact same can happen for you IF YOU GET INVOLVED. If you join just to join, you won’t get as much out of it. You give some time and commitment to it, you will be rewarded greatly. </p>

<p>But Greeks are very well connected outside of college. Plus, just the benefits of having thousands of brothers spread across the country is truly amazing. I’ve made trips to different states and needed a place to crash, and managed to get ahold of some brothers in the area and found a roof for a night or two. </p>

<p>And psydent summed up perfectly what a fraternity is, and what many (especially mine, hehe) preach and practice:
“but being in a frat is not supposed to define your undergrad experience so much as enhance it.”</p>

<p>I hope this helped. But if you need more clarification I’d be gad to help.</p>

11

<p>So Psydent is saying why not join a business club or professional frat kind of thing ? and wolfie is saying greeks do have amazing connections … ahhh lol we’ll see … btw Marshall student trying to be Leventhal Accounting major maybe econ double major lol we’ll see once i get in x] thank you.</p>

<p>are the hazings really that bad ? and it must feel like crap being a 19 year old’s bithc lol</p>

12

<p>Yeah how is the hazing?
Also, what are the general reputations of each frat? Like which one throws the best parties, has the smartest kids, has the best connections, etc. just generalized comments</p>

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<p>How does frat life work after sophomore year? Is there less involvement on the row for parties and is it more small house parties? Also is it unusual for guys in fraternities to date or does that happen more often for juniors and seniors?</p>

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<p>I know a few buddies in those professional fraternities - they went IFC Greek right after joining and seeing me and my situation. I’ll just let that speak for itself. </p>

<p>Hazing is… very varied here at SC. Some fraternities don’t haze AT ALL (mine, for example), while some make you take laps with a belly full of milk and tequila shots. It really varies - its a crapshoot unless you know some people who are willing to spill for you. I’d rather not on here, in case someone manages to figure out who I am affiliated with, etc., I don’t wanna be held responsible for throwing out rumors and stories with regards to hazing. Just gotta get lucky. But in my opinion, all that stuff where they say it forms brotherhood etc, it’s a load of crap. I couldn’t be closer to some of my brothers, I feel like many of them could make fine groomsmen one day, and there was no hazing done. So, I find that argument folly. </p>

<p>With regards to reps, I will clarify a bit. Let it be clear that these are MY PERSONAL OPINIONS, and not the universally accepted, unless specifically stated. </p>

<p>Rager Fraternities: (in no order)
Zeta Beta Tau
Sigma Chi
Tau Kappa Epsilon
Phi Kappa Psi
Sigma Alpha Epsilon</p>

<p>Top Academics:
Theta Chi
Sigma Alpha Mu (both SAM and Theta Chi have the top two GPAs among fraternities, officially. Theta Chi has it now, but it’s always a battle)
Alpha Gamma Omega
Theta Xi</p>

<p>Connections:
I haven’t the slightest damn clue</p>

<p>Those are all kinda the tops in those categories. </p>

<p>And no, involvement definitely doesn’t drop after sophomore year. And it isn’t unusual at all, you see plenty of fraternity men dating girls, Greek and non Greek. There’s a few guys dating in my fraternity, and hell, even I am working on a girl for long term right now! So don’t be discouraged from dating if you’re so inclined.</p>

<p>Any other questions, bring em!</p>

15

<p>And also, a list of some of the fraternities with the best reps for being gentlemen, classy, etc:
Phi Sigma Kappa
Theta Chi
Delta Tau Delta
Theta Xi
Kappa Alpha</p>

<p>Opposite of that reputation^^:
Lambda Chi Alpha
Zeta Beta Tau
Beta Theta Pi
Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI)
Pi Kappa Alpha (PIKE)</p>

16

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I’m an Asian girl, quite pretty/hot! I love to party, but also wanna maintain a high GPA. I’m thinking of joining a sorority. </p>

<p>I have the following questions:

  1. How is the greek system at USC? Is it overwhelming? Do most people join a sorority?
    2.Are most girls in sororities white girls?
  2. Which sorority would you recommend for me? I’m quite interested in Alpha Pi, I heard the girls are nice and its a medium tier house.
  3. If I want to join a sorority, what are the procedures? Do I have to do anything during the summer?
  4. Are the girls in the top tier houses, like Kappa or Theta, the stereotypical snobbish, blonde, superficial girls?
  5. How important is ranking?</p>
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<p>Lol love the attitude Michelle, that could help you out during rush.
Keep in mind that with my answers, are from the outside looking in/basic discussions with other girls. I don’t have too much insider info but I will give what I know:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Greek is incredibly strong here at USC. A little over 25% of the student population is Greek. So, with that number in mind, no, most people do not join a sorority. It definitely isn’t an overwhelming thing alltogether. Now, rush might be a little overwhelming, cause well, you’re meeting an immense amount of people all in one week - that can be a little overwhelming/awkward/different, but it’s definitely worth it for thr rest of the time as an active and later on in life. </p></li>
<li><p>I would say yes, a majority of them in PHC are white, but I’ve seen plenty of non-white girls in every sorority in PHC. </p></li>
<li><p>Well it’s hard to recommend off of barely knowing you, but I always warn against having a favorite going into rush; you never know what could happen/how the house could be compared to your expectations etc. But if you really wanna know, Alpha Phi is making their rise pretty good and could be a top house next semester, depending on their pledge class. I also say look into Alpha Delta Pi (ADPi), a really solid house with AMAZINGLY academic girls. Plus the ones I know are sweet as can be.</p></li>
<li><p>No summer procedures except make sure you’re signed up for Greek. You can register here:<a href=“https://secureapp.icsrecruiter.com/ICS/GM/v3/Pan/Web/Enrollment/RegistrationV3b.aspx?UID=UNSOCA[/url]”>https://secureapp.icsrecruiter.com/ICS/GM/v3/Pan/Web/Enrollment/RegistrationV3b.aspx?UID=UNSOCA&lt;/a&gt;
That’s the registration of Panhellinic, as you seem you’d like to go there. But other than that, no need to do anything except show up for rush, whenever that may be.</p></li>
<li><p>In all honesty, Kappa does have a high number of blondes, but DG (in mine and other brothers’ opinions) has a higher rate of blondes/snobbier ones. I know a number of Kappas, and some are snobby, but some are really awesome and relaxed as well. Thetas are more towards brunettes, but I can’t say I know enough to make a fair assumption on how they are. </p></li>
<li><p>Ranking is semi important. Depends who you are asking. If you are talking to a GDI with no knowledge of Greek, then a sorority is a sorority. Talking to a fraternity man? They might have some predisposed opinion on you, and obviously a name like Kappa will carry more of an attractive response than say, ADX, but it won’t be a too noticeable thing. Talking to a sorority girl? Most are pretty cool with each other. So I wouldn’t worry about that. </p></li>
</ol>

<p>Any other questions feel free to ask!</p>

18

<p>You better be pretty michelle hopefully 호시? lol</p>

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<p>^^ ?? lol pretty helps but it isn’t everything with Greek.</p>

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<p>^lol it was a joke. Pretty much if I ever meet you I better not be disappointed based of your post</p>