<p>Hi, since I've seen a few threads about this pop up, I figured I'd start one about people who were considering rushing a Greek Letter Organization in the Fall, whether they are a new student, transfer, or a sophomore or even junior looking for a new social outlet. I'll be glad, and I'm sure other CCers, will be glad to field questions.</p>
<p>how can a freshman rush if they have already agreed to oncampus housing by that time??
do u have to live in like a hotel or somethin to b able to join a sorority ur first semester?</p>
<p>i dont think u move in until your second year</p>
<p>pinky: You don't have to move in ever, if you don't want to. However, sorority rush is formalized and you need to sign up. Go to <a href="http://www.calgreeks.com%5B/url%5D">http://www.calgreeks.com</a> for information.</p>
<p>I've been thinking about joining a sorority for some time. I don't really consider myself the stereotypical "sorority girl" but I'm also open to new things and want to get the most out of my college experience. Thus, perhaps you could tell me what the benefits are to joining a sorority during my freshman year?</p>
<p>a "greek" generally doesn't have to live in a specific house. Secondly tho schools vary, only 10 to 15% of students belong to the Greeks. Don't be fooled by movies and tv believing "everybody belongs to some greek"</p>
<p>Not to say joining is good or bad, just that far from being "everybody does it", rather, only a few belong.</p>
<p>Vayerly: Cal's greek system is far from the stereotypical, in fact, it's rather subdued, though there are a few stereotypical houses in both the Interfraternity Council/National Panhellenic Council (Fraternities and Sororities respectively). The system is diverse enough that almost anyone can find a house they fit in with. </p>
<p>As far as benefits going Greek, I'll through out the few stock ones and a few other benefits I've noticed in my experience.</p>
<p>Stock benefits:
1. Networking opportunities, these are killer, especially in a big school like Cal. Anything you can get to help with getting a good job upon graduation or into a grad-school helps tremendously.
2. Greeks have in general, higher GPAs than the all-men and all-women's averages. It's not substantial, but that extra .1 point on the GPA can mean the difference between getting accepted to a top tier grad school or getting your dream job. They organize study groups and help each other out with homework.
3. Older Brother/Sister experiences, as the Houses are composed of people ranging from (when you rush) 2nd to 5th years, there is an enormous collective pool of experience, that can help you study and get prepared for what a professor might throw at you on an exam, as well as guide you to what professors are good, bad, hard, or easy. You are flying a little less blindly.
4. Philanthrophy Opportunities - It's NOT just drinking and partying. The Greeks do a lot of community service.</p>
<p>Benefits I noticed:
1. Greeks help lost students tremendously. Students that haven't found a niche or cohesive group yet benefit the most. As a general rule, Greeks support each other and Greeks on average have a higher graduation rate. I know, I was one of the many lost, and by chance, walking into what would be my House, I was "saved" so to speak. I was a semester from dropping out.
2. Social opportunities -- outside of parties, there is always a fairly large group of friends to hang out and do things with.
3. Cheap Housing - Greek Houses, on average, have lower rent than the norm in Berkeley. I pay about $800 a month to live in, and that includes utilities, food, and internet, and I'm a block from campus.
4. Easing the transition -- joining a House has benefits over joining a club. First off, you have a number of new friends and acquaintences that are fairly localized. You will get to know these men/women very well over the course of your semester. It will also make the enormous monster that is Cal seem that much smaller.</p>
<p>Cons:
Pledging will eat a significant amount of your time, but it teaches valuable time management skills.
You will carry the stereotype for that particular house, true or not.
When you are initiated, you cannot join another House. So PICK wisely.</p>
<p>The benefits far outweigh the cons, however. Try it out, see if you like it. If you don't, there is NO obligation to join a House at that time. Just be aware, if you depledge or walk away, it will be very difficult the next time around.</p>
<p>Thanks andrewtdx, I'll definitely go Greek when I get there.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input. This will definitely be something I consider... can you sign up for rushing during Welcome Week?</p>
<p>Vayerly: Of course, you can also sign up on the website I provided.</p>
<p>Vayerly- Just be careful because rush actually begins during Welcome Week. The first day is Saturday, August 26, so you'll want to be signed up by Friday the 25th. Rushing is a great experience, even if you ultimately choose not to join. </p>
<p>A personal note- I NEVER thought of myself as a sorority girl. Actually I was pretty actively against the Greek system before I came to Cal. Last semester I joined a sorority and it was honestly the best decision of my life, besides coming to Cal. I have loved every minute of it, and pledging doesnt take as much time for girls as it does for boys. Trust me, you will find a niche whereever you end up.</p>
<p>What if a freshman doesn't want to go Greek, can he go Greek during his 2nd year? Would it feel weird since I expect most students who rush will be a 1st year?</p>
<p>its not wierd at all to rush your second semester. some people feel that waiting to second semester gives you a better opportunity to feel out the houses and make a better choice. then again, a lot of the funner events occur during the first semester (gamedays, first exchanges, roadtrips, etc.) and pledging first semester is generally considered a better experience.</p>
<p>how much of a time commitment is joining a frat usually.....like how many hours a week? Also, what kinds of activities do they have you do when you rush to see if you ar "right" for their house?</p>
<p>I said 2nd year... not 2nd semester... :p</p>
<p>time committments range from house to house. for my fraternity i would estimate i'd put in 8-10 hours a week. as far as rushing goes, all the fraternities have nightly dinners when you can go around and get free food and meets the bros. they'll then usually invite you to a night (or sometimes day) activity where you get to hang out with the guys in a more social setting. go to as many houses as possible and get a feel for the guys and what they're like and you'll know which one is right for you.</p>
<p>firax, apparently my reading comprehension skills have gone to hell during the summer but to answer your question it is more rare to rush after your first year but def not unheard of. we had 3 guys in my pledge class who weren't frosh.</p>
<p>although you said second year i would also recommend second semester if you're considering it after you finish the first semester. that's when i did it and i'm really glad i did it then. i thought it was good to get adjusted the first semester and sort of know the frats a little better before rushing in the second semester. i'm thinking i might have dropped out the first semester just because my grades would have suffered a lot, whereas i was able to organize a little better in the second semester.</p>
<p>Though hazing is not allowed... do frats still haze anyways?</p>
<p>yes (10 char)</p>
<p>what kinds of things go on in hazing?</p>