I’m finishing off freshman year, and I tried to join some clubs here and there, but unfortunately they didn’t work out as expected. I just realized of a academic/career based fraternity here at UCI that I wanted to join (but i missed their application deadline), but I still want to join probably this Fall 2019. My issue is, I don’t know much about fraternities. All I know is each frat is different and not every frat drink or party. So my questions are:
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How do I join? I know they have recruitment, but I find it awkward to come to to their table and start talking to them :/. I also don’t have any friends that are in greek life, so I’m going solo.
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What’s the process of being recruited like? I know they do this “big” and “little” thing and have to attend rush and events and interviews.
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Do you actually befriend everybody in the frat, or just the people that are joining as the same time as you?
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What’s the point of formals? I see pictures of other people posting themselves in formal attire, surrounded by other frat/soro people at a fancy banquet or something related.
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Can you leave at any time? If something occurs and it’s not working out for you.
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Do you actually have to commit to it? Say, I have alot of school work to do and I can’t make it to some of their events.
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Is it wise to join if you’re a Biology major + commuter?
Sorry if I have alot of questions. I would appreciate it if someone answers! 
Every beginning of a quarter, fraternities have a “Rush Week” where they recruit. You can find them on Ring Road handing out flyers and such inviting people to come check them out and possibly be selected for a “bid” to join. You eventually do befriend everyone but are closest to your pledge class (people getting onboarded to join the same quarter).
@orionary Hi! Each school is different especially comparing small private schools vs big state schools. I go to a large school with nearly 2,000 guys in frats. Here’s a general answer to your questions. A lot of this echos @lbf. I rushed, and pledged a social fraternity my fall freshman year.
- Your schools website or Interfraternity council website/ social media should have info about recruitment and when or where it is. Don’t be nervous! Guys in Greek life are normal people and students just like you! Many rush solo a friend might help so try and see if a friend wants to rush with you just to make you more comfortable.
- Big and little matching is for pledging. Rushing is trying to get a bid (invitation to join). Pledging is like a trial period. Recruiting is a bit like speed dating you are getting to know the chapter and they are trying to get to know you. Be yourself and find a house you fit in best. My schools fraternity rush is sorority style and regulated because of the massive amount of people rushing.
- The people joining at the same time as you is your pledge class. Normally those are people you are initially closest with but a lot of times you’ll be closer with older or younger guys. In fact my best friends in my house are a year younger than me. Smaller houses are more tight knit. Mine is one of the largest at my schools with a little over 120 members and the truth is you know everyone but you aren’t close with everyone. And with any group within the house there will be the popular crowd etc.
- Formals are just plain fun. Like homecoming for prom in high school? Greek life formals and date parties are so much better.
- Recruiting and pledging are a no commitment process. You can also get dropped by the fraternity as a pledge.
- School always comes first usually. But if you joined the right house for you the fraternity is not a chore but something you want to do.
- Commuting and bio shouldn’t be bad. Most of y house is Econ/poli sci but I’m engineering and found it easy to balance
Best of luck feel free to reach out.
Let me give you a huge blessing: you are not the type of person who would enjoy being in a fraternity
You might be describing a Business Fraternity. These are great organizations and very different than social Greek or typical “frats”. I realize it’s different at every school, but the national organization does provide some uniformity across chapters.
At my son’s school, AKPsi is the business frat. It is competitive. Each spring about 75-100 kids rush and they accept about 25. Fall is a little easier and you can try again if unsuccessful your first time. Rush includes resume workshops, interviews (individual and panel), presentations, etc. Although it’s a business fraternity, there are many non business majors involved. Essentially it is a group of kids who are interested in leadership, building important skills like networking, presenting, etc. It is Coed. They meet every week, do volunteer work, form their own intramural teams, etc. They are not crazy, party animal scenes like what most think of when they hear Frat. However, at least at my son’s school, they are quite social. They have formals and weekend outings to the mountains and beach. Just everything is far more tame, safe, etc. S has made a lot of friends through AKPsi and several of his other friends decided to get involved once they saw what he was doing.
Overall very positive experience and very different than “normal” greek life.
Good luck.