<p>If you are going to answer this question, I would much rather prefer that you have either been in, are currently a member or pledging for a frat. I don't want the advice from somebody who has always been against the idea just because of the common stereotype.</p>
<p>That being said, my question is, how much is it actually worth being in a frat?</p>
<p>My sister goes to NYU and said that she could hardly stand the school until she started rushing for greek life, and now she absolutely loves it. She also said that all of the cool guys at NYU are in fraternities, and that if I joined a frat it would be much easier to have fun and meet more people, and would even make me more self-disciplined in regards to my studies.</p>
<p>How true is this? Is it really that fun to be in a frat? What are the pros and cons?</p>
<p>PS- I'm considering both St. John's University in New York, and USF in Tampa, Florida.</p>
<p>I have a friend who’s in one and he has a lot of fun with it. It really depends on the school. I know several SEC schools have huge greek scenes where a lot of the social activity centers around it. Some schools have very small greek scenes and so it doesn’t matter. Most schools have a balance where you can have fun either way.</p>
<p>Of course fun isn’t the only reason one ought to join, there is the advantage of things like connections (although I wonder how many people actually end up utilizing them to any real gain). Most greeks I talk to say they also joined because of the sense of brotherhood/sisterhood… you gain a commonality with them by going through rush and all of that. That can be a big help at big schools.</p>
<p>Not sure if you’ve been on campus visits but I’d consider asking students at any schools you visit what the greek life scene is like.</p>
<p>It was for me, it was for S, hoping it will be for D (she just pledged a sorority at her school). You will find that every school & chapter has it’s own personality, or at least regional variations - you figure out where you’ll fit in best. I had hoped my S would rush my fraternity’s chapter at his school but he found the chapter that was right for him and I am glad he did. </p>
<p>+: Friendship & emotional support. That “brotherhood/sisiterhood” is a good thing. Housing (depending on chapter). Social life, even if you are less than socially adept with the other gender. Mentors, tutoring, advice on majors, class selection. Leadership (this really helped my S’s grad school apps and his classmates network for jobs & such). Some very memorable (in a good way!) experiences I would not have had. Maybe a place to crash driving cross-country and instant friends when I moved x-country for 1st real job. Friends for life. What TMS said.</p>
<p>-: Chapter fees may be an additional expense you have to meet somehow. Time commitments. Justifying decision to anti-greek family & friends. The let down if you rush and don’t get a bid. (but you will survive & get over it just fine) Sometimes a chapter does bid & induct someone and we ask later “what were we thinking?” [just like real life]</p>
<p>I am a Freshman and I joined a Fraternity last semester. It’s all about what kind of Fraternity you join. A lot of people don’t know about the different kinds, mainly Social and Professional.</p>
<p>Social Fraternities are generally what you people think of when they hear the word “fraternity”. They tend to have more parties, and fulfill the stereotype. Not all, but for the most part thats what they’re like.</p>
<p>Professional Fraternities (like the one i’m in) for the most part do the same things but are more “professional” about it. They tend to exist for a purpose, ex. Pre Law, Pre Med, etc. </p>
<p>Joining a Fraternity was the best thing I could have ever done in College. It opened up new doors and has allowed me to accomplish things I never would have been able to otherwise. </p>
<p>The “brotherhood” is awesome in every Fraternity. The other people that are members/pledges will become like a family to you and you can rely on them for anything.</p>
<p>I recommend looking for a Professional Fraternity and I would say to only join a Fraternity that you feel comfortable joining. Be careful with hazing, and remember… you don’t have to do anything you never want to do.</p>
<p>Thanks guys, I really appreciate it. By reading most of your posts, it seems like it’s certainly something I need to look into. It sounds pretty awesome though.</p>