<p>Pledge term is the term directly after you have joined a fratenity or sorority. During this time you are a member of the house but not quite a full member. You are often expected to do various things, typically funny/ crazy activities that will (at least in theory) bond you to your house and the fellow members of you pledge class. Of course the obvious danger is when these activities border on hazing. (However, Dartmouth does have strong sanctions regarding hazing when it is brought to its attention) As a freshman I can’t comment on how hard/ easy pledge term is but I hear it varies a lot by house.</p>
<p>FYI
You cannot pledge until Sophomore year so typically your pledge term will be in your Sophomore fall if you decide to rush a house and are following a “typical” (not that there is a really typical) D-Plan.</p>