<p>I am a newly admitted student to the Class of 2019 of W&M. I am wanting to know more about Greek Life at the College, specifically the pledge process. I am not a drinker, so I am wondering does every pledge process involve forced drinking? I wanted to come to W&M because I felt such a strong community while I visited (like a family), so it is hard to imagine heavy hazing, if any, happens there. So does hazing happen? If yes, how extreme? Any stories? Also, when does pledging happen, and how long does it typically last for? I really want to join a frat to get involved, be social, and have a family on campus. If any current W&M students (if you're in a frat, even better) could help me out and give me some info. Thank you so much! </p>
<p>I don’t have much (any?) info on fraternities but did want to point out that there are not all that many W&M current students who read this and the ones who do are in final exams right now- so don’t worry if you don’t hear an answer on your question for a while. But I will say, that from my perspective (graduated years ago but have a son there now) that you don’t have to join a frat to have a social life. Greek life exists, it does not dominate. I can’t imagine that there is much, if any, “forced drinking” as the college owns the fraternity housing and the frat would lose their house if they got caught. I was Greek while I was there, my husband was not and my son is not. He hasn’t had any problem with finding things to do- even joined a club sport in a sport he had never tried before. His freshman roommate joined a fraternity and I believe that was in October or so but am not sure since that was last year and I didn’t pay that much attention.</p>
<p>You will have a “family” whether you join a frat or not- you will have several “families”. The strongest bonds are typically with the people on your freshman dorm. My husband and I are still close friends with people that we met on our freshman hall over 40 years ago- and my son’s closest friends are those that were on his freshman dorm last year.But you will also have other groups- the people that major in the same thing you do, and some that maybe you just talked to in the cafeteria and years later are your best friends. That is true for one of my closest friends- we met in the commons.</p>
<p>Welcome to the Tribe Family!</p>
<p>there are other social organizations, music groups, service groups (the coed service fraternity at W&M is very large), academic groups, etc that all have social aspects… don’t feel like you have to join a fraternity to “be social”</p>
<p>that said, if that’s what you want, go for it!</p>
<p>I’m a freshman this year and I’m also in a fraternity so I know a great deal about the pledging process. Some frats KA, Sig Ep, and SAE) have completely done away with pledging however I feel that kind of lowers the family aspect of the fraternity. Every fraternity here is “no hazing” however there are many that do things with their pledges that I would not be comfortable doing. I can’t speak for other fraternities but the fraternity I am in is no hazing and there is little to no pressure to drink. The pledging process was about 9 weeks and consisted of meeting and meeting brothers and “help week,” a week of community service. Pledging also begins in september.</p>
<p>You don’t have to join a fraternity to have a social life here, there are plenty of other opportunities so don’t feel limited! I didn’t think I would rush but decided to rush to continue the tradition of greek men in my family. If you do join, many of the fraternities’ pledging processes are not bad. I promise you won’t regret going greek but you very well also won’t regret not going greek. Just keep an open mind. Welcome, it’s an honor to have you as part of the tribe!</p>
<p>thank you so much @betweenthetrees, very helpful, if you don’t mind, what fraternity are you a member of?</p>
<p>Alpha Tau Omega (ATO)</p>