<p>Can anyone give me any insight into the fraternity scene at IU. Is it a "must" for any social life or just another of many options.</p>
<p>the system for "rush" that they use seems incomprehensible and i'm told you must live in the houses for all the years you are a member; and that the arrangements are like a dormitory sleep away camp (with a dozen or more people to a room).</p>
<p>I thought at such a big school this might be a good way to go, a good way to connect with people, but the more I hear, not so sure.</p>
<p>your comments are very interesting because nearly everyone things you said was wrong. First you should probably make yourself more aware of greek life terms. "Rushing" is just a short period of parties and activities so you can see the houses and the brothers can see if they like you or not. Pledging is what you are probably thinking of. Its when you have to do dumb/embarresing/boring tasks for a couple months before you become initiated. You do NOT have to live in the house all the years you are a member. I dont know where you got your info but its all wrong. Most people who live in frat houses are sophmores and juniors and most houses at IU only hold like 45 guys, the others live in apartments or whatever. I have not heard at all of the dormitory style living like you mentioned. Every house I've heard of at IU has rooms of 2 or 3 living in them. Many SOROITIES have big rooms where a dozen people liv in but thats how many soroities are around the country.</p>
<p>Some fraternities at IU do utilize the "cold dorms" with upwards of 15 men sleeping in one room. However, most of the time they have a separate room in which they store personal items, clothes, and hang out.</p>
<p>Must for any social life? heck no. I'm in a fraternity and I go to twice as much house parties as frat socials. Make a huge network, and find out where the house parties are each week, and you are set. </p>
<p>Frats are a double edged sword. If you are in with a house with a relative "high reputation", you will meet a LOT of beautiful sorority women and the nights when you have parties are great. On the other hand, you will be partying with greeks basically for your entire college life.</p>
<p>Before joining a frat, consider this, can you survive 20+ weeks of pledge ship.</p>
<p>Senior year, you can live out of the frats. You only move in for Sophomore / Junior Year.</p>