Fraternities 101

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
1

<p>Hows it goin guys/girls, it’s been a long time since I've actually posted something on the forums.</p>

<p>A great majority of my posts/threads have been about getting accepted into USC, transferring into USC, etc. I don't know if I ever mentioned that I actually got accepted as a sophomore transfer last year, but I'll make a separate thread on that later. </p>

<p>I come to you guys this time with questions regarding fraternities. It’s been one of my dreams to join a frat once I began attending a university, but I've never really known much about them. I'd love to be able to join the Greek family and become a frat member as soon as possible, but here is some info:</p>

<p>-I'm a junior...I have no idea if this will impact my chances. I've heard that it's best to rush as soon as you start college (freshman)</p>

<p>-I don't live on campus (I commute.)</p>

<p>On the plus side, I've got a good amount of time on my hands and am willing to dedicate a good portion of that time to the fraternity and brothers in it. And I've heard that frats sometimes decide their brothers based on looks. +1 for me. ;)</p>

<p>Nah, but in all seriousness, what are my chances of doing this, especially this semester? I'm guessing its not possible right now, but how about Spring 08? I can use all the info/help you guys can spare me. I've done my research on quite a few frats, and the ones that stood out for me were:</p>

<p>SAE
Sigma Chi
Lambda Chi</p>

<p>Anyway, I've got to get to school now, but I'll check the thread once I get back. Any help would be greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>Thanks all. </p>

<p>Chris</p>

<p>Being a junior this semester already, I know that I'm a late bloomer regarding frats and what not. I know rush week for this semester has already gone by, too.</p>

2

<p>Well since no one answered I'll give my opinion:</p>

<p>Obviously now you'll have to rush for Spring 08. I'm a freshman, and I party on the row a few nights a week, so I definitely have my opinions on different houses. And being good looking will never hurt your chances, and will probably benefit for some houses (see Sigma Chi).</p>

<p>SAE: I went there once and played beer pong. Many girls avoid this house because there's always this rumor being passed around that it's the rape frat. Lets just say that when being told the reputations of all the fraternities at the beginning of the semester, the junior girl i was talking to mentioned that SAE stands for Sexual Assault Expected. Yeah.... that'll scare some people away. They didn't have a single large party this year, and when they do have stuff its pretty low key.</p>

<p>Sigma Chi: In general, they're very pretty. Very good looking, but in an oddly pretty way. They're all pretty nice too. Mayhem was a kick ass party for sure, and their parties are pretty good in general. </p>

<p>Lambda Chi: I don't really have an opinion for them. I've been to several of their parties, but never really enjoyed them because I only know one guy in the frat. A helicopter did show up to their Golf Pro and Tennis Ho party, so that was definitely interesting. lol... </p>

<p>So I dunno if you even check back here anymore, but I just thought someone should answer your question. hahah</p>

3

<p>As a freshman who joined one of these houses, I would like to say somethings to the thread starter and to USC prospective students considering going greek.</p>

<p>And all I am going to say is this...don't listen to stereotypes (everyone has their biases) Go to rush, check out each house, be friendly and talk to the brothers, and find the best house that fits you. </p>

<p>These guys are going to be your social outlet in college, life-long friends, and even the best men at your weddings so make sure you find the guys you get along with best instead choosing a house with the top rep or that gets the most girls.</p>

4

<p>Wow... totally forgot to mention what ^ said. </p>

<p>Everyone does have their own opinions about houses. I don't like ZBT, but one of my friends only hangs out there. Every girl has her opinion of the houses, which ones she doesn't like and which ones she does, so listening to what girls think of houses shouldn't be the deciding factor in which house you decide to pledge. A lot of times our opinion of a house is strongly influenced by how many guys we know there because the more we know, the more comfortable we feel, and the more fun we have. Go with the one you feel most comfortable with during rush and the one with the guys that you get along with the best.</p>

5

<p>Does being in a fraternity means you must drink? I think I'd like to be in a fraternity when I'm in college but I have a really really bad liver(genetics, I think the my index is already almost as bad as alcoholics') so I control myself to drinking once or twice a year when I go clubbing in Taipei. </p>

<p>I mean is it possible to be in a fraternity and not drink? My image of fraternities is just guys drinking and drinking at parties.</p>

6

<p>Cowtipper, why don't you like Zebe? Um, you can PM me. I'm a Zebe but at a different campus, and I'm thinking of transferring to USC.</p>

7

<p>There is nothin wrong with ZBT at USC. They had the biggest pledge class on the row this semester (35 or something around there). Don't let that deter you from considering to transfer</p>

8

<p>It doesn't deter me from transferring at all. I mean I've been asking people about all the schools with Zebe chapters, but it doesn't affect my opinion of the school. If it effects anything, it will be my participation in the fraternity. That's all.</p>

9

<p>There's nothing bad about ZBT. A lot of girls I know actually really like the fraternity. I only know 2 guys in it, so I'm not all that comfortable there unless its one of their registered parties, which I thought were both really good (ZBTPD and Blackout). They're becoming a lot more popular now that they have a house that's actually on the row. </p>

<p>Seriously though, in general, a girl's opinion of a fraternity is largely based upon how many guys she knows in the fraternity. The less guys you know, the less comfortable you feel at a house, which results in having less fun, and not liking the house as much. </p>

<p>To Taiwaneseterror: I know several guys in fraternities who don't drink at all. Are they the minority? Oh yeah, but I don't think their brothers ever try and pressure them into drinking.</p>

10

<p>I like ZBT :) They're one of the only fraternity houses I go to.</p>

11

<p>Alright, cool thanks for the feedback.</p>

12

<p>people always say that you should go and check out all the houses during rush, but rush is only 4 days long (friday doesn't count since thats the day of the dinner) so its almost impossible to do. heck, you can barely go to more than 3 houses since many frats leave the house during the week to do other things.</p>

<p>advice? and anybody want to do ranking/comments on some of the other fraternities?</p>

13

<p>Go to pre-rush. Now till Friday.</p>

14

<p>Ditto the above. Go to various houses during pre-rush, try to meet as many actives as possible, and get a feel for each house. Pre-rush is tonight, Wednesday night, and Thursday night. </p>

<p>By the second day of rush, you really should narrow your focus on no more than two houses, in my opinion.</p>