<p>I was just accepted to Cornell last Thursday (WOOHOO!) and I am seriously considering it for the next four years of my life. I know nothing about greek life, and I know it differs from school to school, but how important is greek life at Cornell? I definitely would be in the partying crowd (I'm smart, but not a loser). I want to have a really fun time at college, and I am wondering if having a good time requires being in a sorority? Also, are sororities seriously time consuming? I know some of my older friends at schools like Penn State spend all their time doing things with their sorority (like making gifts for their Bigs and stuff like that). I don't want to be a part of greek life if my studies are going to suffer. </p>
<p>Thanks for answering! </p>
<p>Congratulations on your acceptance! Cornell’s greek life is a big part of the university and if you are looking to have fun, meet new people, and create awesome memories I encourage you to rush. There are certainly other ways to have fun without rushing but it really depends on the individual. Also, rush doesn’t begin for Cornell till you return from winter break. This allows students to get accustomed with the academics at Cornell so hopefully by the time you rush you will have mastered the art of balancing your schoolwork and fun 
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<p>Bottom Line: Greek life at Cornell is awesome!</p>
<p>Thank you! I am glad to hear they have deferred rush, as I want to spend my first semester getting used to life at college.</p>
<p>You won’t be a loser if you should decide not to join a sorority. Both of my kids joined a sorority at Cornell and they are sisters in more ways than one. Each house is different and they recruit different types of girls. The biggest partiers are not necessary right for all houses. </p>
<p>Try to look for fit instead of just prestige because you’ll end up spending most of your four years with your sorority sisters. Both of my kids had a lot of outside ECs, but they partied and hung out with their sorority sisters. My older daughter graduated few years ago, and she is still very close with her sorority sisters. I think she would have been very good friends with her sisters even if there was no Greek life at Cornell. Three of her best friends from freshman year joined the same sorority with her. My younger kid is also very active at the sorority. She wants to run for a rush position next year. The sorority doesn’t force the girls to participate in anything they don’t want to do. The only thing which is required is their Sun chapter meeting.They have formals, crush, date night, mixers with fraternities, but they are all optional. </p>
<p>I would encourage you to rush even if you don’t end up pledging. It is a great opportunity to meet a lot of people you normally wouldn’t have. If you want to rush, try to be mindful of what you post on your FB, more is not necessary more.</p>