<p>Im a senior and don't know much about frats and it seems like it's "the place to be" in college especially because i'm applying to Lehigh (43% men join frats).
Can you join a frat even if you don't know anyone in it?
How does it work? How can you join?</p>
<p>1)Yes, you absolutely can join a fraternity if you don't know anyone it - in fact that's a pretty common reason why people join the Greek system. They don't know anyone on campus, and are looking for a way to make friends.</p>
<p>2)Rush varies from school to school in timing, organization, and execution. Sometimes it varies a lot (that's the cardinal rule of Greek Life - every campus is different). However despite the variety there are some common themes that are present every where. Rush is a time for you to explore all the chapters on your campus, get to know the members of the chapters and allow them to get to know you. There will be a series of get-togethers that will facilitate these interactions, and because you're a guy, it's a lot more fun than what the ladies go through. I don't know much about Lehigh's Greek system, (though I may have met someone from there once) but common things across the country include things like poker night, going to a bar to watch the game, paintball or laser tag, hanging out at someone's cabin on a lake, and things of that nature - all fun things. While you are hanging out with the members you ask them things like about GPA, study hours, philanthropy, living in the chapter house, what the fraternity has meant to them, intramural participation, duties of pledgeship, social calendar and anything else that you have questions about. This way you can begin seeing which chapter is most in line with your priorities. The members will be happy to tell you about their chapter, but will also want to know about you - be prepared to answer the same questions over and over again as you meet new guys. You'll also have a chance to meet guys who are also rushing and you may become friends with them, it certainly happens, and I have friends to this day that I met at rush parties when I was a frosh even though we joined different houses.</p>
<p>When a chapter finally has gotten comfortable enough that they believe they want you a part of their organization, they will extend to you an invitation to join or a "bid". Depending on how your school is set up, bids may be extended at any time during the recruitment event calendar, or there may be a specified night at which they are given out - again it depends on the campus. Typically, guys can earn bids from multiple chapters (the ladies' bid process is coordinated between the chapters so girls usually only receive one), and at that point it becomes your decision which chapter you join. Sign the card stating your intentions, turn it in to the proper people and you're a new member/pledge/associate of that chapter.</p>
<p>Some tips - Narrow down your choices from the 20+ fraternities at Lehigh by using objective data - GPA, Intramurals, philanthropy, house, social calendar, etc. by talking to people on campus (it looks like Lehigh does spring rush) and guys that may be in your classes or at parties. </p>
<p>When you have narrowed it down to a more manageable number, then you can really start to focus on separating out the chapters based on how you feel hanging out with them. Are these guys you can see yourself hanging out with in 4 years? </p>
<p>I used to do a lot at my alma mater in getting freshman to just go through rush/recruitment, and in my presentation, I'd tell the students that a lot of times you'll know where you're supposed to be when you step through the door. It's not something you can necessarily describe in words, but you just know. Listen to your gut if you get such a feeling.</p>
<p>Be yourself. I've seen a lot of guys come through trying to act like the way they think the fraternity members want them act. Whether it's bragging about how drunk they were the week before, or how many girls they've hooked up with, or how many home runs they hit in intramural softball, it's not a good idea to put up a facade. If you are shy, then you need to do what you can to make sure that you overcome that, but otherwise just be yourself, be genuine and you should do fine.</p>
<p>Do ask about costs - it's an important thing if you are going to be paying for it yourself. But keep in mind that almost every fraternity is going to work with you on payment plans or something. I've never met a chapter that wanted to make finances the make or break point with a member. They will want to work something out so that money doesn't prevent you from joining or sticking around.</p>
<p>Keep your options open. Meet with a lot of different houses and avoid developing a "rush crush" with a chapter. Occasionally a guy will become so enamored with a chapter that he fails to meet with other chapters, and sometimes the chapter he's got a crush on doesn't want him as a member. </p>
<p>Be realistic about your resume and what you care about. I was in one of the top three academic houses on my campus - grades and test scores were something we cared a lot about, and were part of our major initial screening process. I remember one summer (we do summer rush at my alma mater) we had a rush crush who came in with a 2.9 GPA in HS, and a 19 on his ACT, stats that which made him technically eligible to join our chapter but were well below what had become our standards. Unfortunately he had a rush crush on us and our closest rival chapter (where he was also below their standards), and he kept showing up for our rush events even though there was no way he was getting a bid, and our rush chairs even told him that it didn't look good. In the end he never got a bid from us or the other chapter, and because he didn't spend a lot of time with chapters where he was a better fit, he didn't end up joining a chapter. If you're concerned, ask the members what they are looking for in new members. And again keep your options open.</p>
<p>lastly, have fun. It's meant to be a fun time. Enjoy meeting new people.</p>
<p>Nice post^</p>
<p>thanks bigmedred that was really informative!</p>
<p>just a comment about the finances. I don't mean this as discouragement, but just as friendly advice.</p>
<p>as former treasurer of my fraternity, theres nothing worse than a deadbeat brother. I know all schools have different amounts of money as dues - my fraternity dues were $1000 a semester. If you find you can't afford it, DO NOT JOIN A FRATERNITY. You will simply be a burden on a house - which quite frankly is cause for a lot of heartache within the brotherhood. I don't know how other houses run, but I suspect most are in our situation of barely getting by, and having brothers who don't pay costs the house more than just having fewer brothers. (for example conference and national dues cost $275/person a semester plus another $50 or so a person for insurance a semester)</p>
<p>fraternities are about brotherhood and having a good time - but there is no fraternity without the financial backing. the younger people don't understand this until they get on exec board.</p>
<p>Depending on the school, the dues take the place of what you would normally be paying for a meal plan and room & board, at which point it could be a real bargain.</p>
<p>brooklynharris,</p>
<p>maybe depending on schools - but in my experience - of the 20 or so chapters of my fraternity around the south all of them charge rent if they have a house - ontop of dues. the rent could be substantially cheaper than local housing, however.</p>
<p>like jags and bigred are hinting at, the best way to find out info about greek life at lehigh is to talk to people at lehigh.</p>