<p>I am going to be at my state university's honors college (University of South Carolina) and I am thinking about rushing a fraternity. I have talked to the guys in the frat I really want to pledge, but I'm just worried about the time element because I have to keep my GPA over a 3.0 to keep my scholarships and over a 3.4 to stay in Honors College. The guys have been real cool telling me how school comes first etc... and I really do believe them but does anyone have experience with managing school and frat life? Thanks.</p>
<p>Hey I got into U-South Carolina's honors college too! Got about thisclose to going too. Turned it down for Tulane though. Sorry I won't be a fellow gamecock with you! Anyway, my brother is in a frat here in NC, and it IS time consuming. However, they were required to go to study hours everyday in the library and stuff like that. You ultimately are responsible for you. If you have the capability to balance it, by all means, go for it. You won't be the only honors frat boy.</p>
<p>How much are fraternity dues? I need some type of ballpark amount b/c I have no clue.</p>
<p>Usually you are gonna pay about 500 a semester at a Southern public U. Plan on spending more money on random stuff though</p>
<p>don't rush 1st semester until you got a hand on classes, etc. The semester you rush WILL take more time because of all the pledge class stuff you'll be doing, the (cough) hazing, etc.</p>
<p>Its true that the greek organizations support the whole "academics first" idea but then again they make it VERY easy for you to get side tracked and do other non academic things... I'm rushing a sorority this semester and I spend an hour or two each day on sorority stuff. Meetings, interviews, required community service, etc. I would assume it'd be the same with frats. Its fun but when I start to think about the other (more productive LOL) things I could be doing it makes me rethink it sometimes.</p>