<p>S is deciding between Ursinus, Drew and Gettysburg. We'll visit on Get Acquainted Day, but am wondering whether current parents/students can comment on whether there is a frat for every guy, and whether the choice not to join one leads to social isolation? Eager to hear about your/your sons' experiences.</p>
<p>We are also headed to Get Acquainted Day in a few weeks. We were also concerned about the intersection of computer science and a Greek culture, and talked to several current students before my Comp Sci major daughter applied ED. The consensus is that, although the frats have a big presence, that many student live happy lives at Gettysburg with little interaction with that aspect of campus life. Is your son just a fan, or also interested in Computer Science? We went to see the Comp Sci department, and it seemed as though the students (and the profs) were a close-knit group. For the record, my daughter also saw Ursinus, and liked Gettysburg much better (hence the ED).</p>
<p>My son is a freshman at Gettysburg. As a parent I am not a fan of the greek scene (back in the day I was in a sorority). That being said one of the things that made me feel better about the Gettysburg greek culture is that rush is held sophmore year. I like this because it gives everyone their freshman year to get settled, get acquainted with the school, make friends, find their place etc. before having to make decisions about a joining or not joining a fraternity. From my understanding there is plenty to do and that you are not isolated if you are not part of the greek scene.</p>
<p>Enjoy Get Acquainted Day! Gettysburg is a great school. We have been very happy with our son’s choice to attend Gettysburg.</p>
<p>My son just got home the weekend. Hes not in a FRAT and hes fine. He said Sig Nu and Sig Chi are more the gamer types. So I think there is something for everyone.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies, very helpful to have perspective from current parents. MomSci, my guy is undecided, though more of a humanities than science type. He is a big online gamer, though. Hoping the weather will be as lovely for GA day as it is here tody!</p>
<p>Have a great time at GAD NEMom1…Gettysburg is a really special place!</p>
<p>Dear NEMom,
There are not frats for every guy, there are not sororities for every girl. It remains a very touchy topic and not one that gets alot of discussion… but not all students are welcomed into greek life. It plays a role in the social scene at Gettysburg and should be a very careful consideration. You cannot rush until your sophmore year but not everyone gets selected and it can be traumatic for some. Go in with your eyes open and ask lots of questions, call the counseling center and talk with them about what happens after the announcements go out… Best of luck.</p>
<p>“There are not frats for every guy, there are not sororities for every girl. It remains a very touchy topic and not one that gets alot of discussion… but not all students are welcomed into greek life.”</p>
<p>This is a valid point but it is not unique to Gettysburg College. This is an unfortunate reality with the greek system as a whole - not just at Gettysburg College. Having a sophmore year rush is one way that Gettysburg works to soften the importance of the greek scene at the school.</p>
<p>The “Greek” scene is very big at Gettysburg. It is a very large part of the social activities at Gettysburg. Freshman do attend the Frat parties. Just because you can’t rush until Sophmore year doesn’t make the “Greek” scene any softer. Many students embrace the frats and sororoties and are just fine with Greek life. Some students don’t and may find their social opportunities limited on a campus that finds such a large number of students involved in Greek life. All I have suggested is that a potential student go into this situation with their eyes open. Understand how it works before you sign up. I am not suggesting it is good or bad, simply that it exists and each person should carefully consider how it will impact them as their college choice plays out. Best of luck to all.</p>
<p>S1 is graduating in May from G’Burg (hurray) and has been in a fraternity since Soph year. I agree with Beenthere, you need to know that Greek life is the social scene at Gettysburg. Yes, we know many students who are happy and not part of Greek life but, it is the driving force.
If you’re ok with that, I will add that his personal experience has been excellent. The social skills learned and earned by investing in the lives of so many other young men (and women) has been invaluable. Great friends, conflict resolution, motive identification, networking, sorority mixers, athletic events/participation, etc, etc.
We will encourage S2 to consider G’burg - he is definitely a nerdy gamer, at present.</p>