<p>Hey, is anybody considering pledging/rushing this year? Is there anybody on this board that is in a sorority? I am considering pledging for next year and I've heard about this event that the sororities hold, "Greek Weekend." Does anybody know anything about it? </p>
<p>Sorry for so many questions, but if anybody has any comments regarding the greek system v. dorm life or anything about the sororities at the UW, I'd be very grateful for your response!</p>
<p>anyone have any info on the frats????</p>
<p>Info on greek weekend this year.</p>
<p>My gosh--I just went to the above noted link and my oldest D is in one of the pictures!!<br>
Youngest D just sent her deposit in for Greek Weekend. If you are curious about the greek system at the U, that weekend is a good introduction to it (especially for out of staters!). It provides a safe, painless, and quick glimpse at 5 or 6 houses--what they look like and the kids who live there--and gives a feel for what living in that atmosphere would be like.<br>
We are out of staters. My oldest 2 both went to the U and went thru the Greek system. Without question, it was the main reason for their positive experience at such a large school. Neither child would be seen as especially the "greek type" as so often stereotyped by this board and in general. Both are strong kids, good serious students, who are outgoing and saw school as a social growth experience as well as an academic one. A good fit in the Greek system at a large school like the U gives kids such strong roots--the relative stability of experiencing those 4 years with such a large group of peers going thru the same experience can really make college so much more than trekking from class to class.
D is looking at Ca schools also. I don't think any have the overall positive set-up that the U and it's greek system have. They have other things going for them.....but the U is pretty unique in that respect. In terms of stability, long term "bonding", relative "non-elitist" attitude, and location, I just don't think you can beat UW.<br>
Good luck. Just keep an open mind and take a peek. I believe the Greek system could be a great experience for many more people than the ones who presently take advantage of it.</p>
<p>My d has not mentioned it, and frankly I have always had a rather negative impression of the whole notion. However, your post has caused me to believe that maybe I ought to re-think my views and ask my d to look into the Greek thing.</p>
<p>Well, I got the Greek Weekend brochure on Saturday and I really want to check it out. Both my mom and my dad are against the Greek system for all of the reasons that you hear about so its going to be a struggle to convince them to let me go. Thankfully, my grandma (lol, I love my grandma) thinks that it is fine for me to check it out and she tells my mom to keep an open mind about it.</p>
<p>I know that a couple of my friends from school want to go to Greek Weekend too, so we might do a carpool up there. However, I'm thinking that it might be a good idea to have my parents go to the parent meeting too (if I can even convince them). Anybody else thinking of going?</p>
<p>I'm a little bit interested in sororities, but I'm not going to be able to make it for greek weekend. I think that next week is really the only time I'm going to be able to make it up to Seattle before going to UW. (Airfare is a bit too expensive to go up twice within a four-week period!)</p>
<p>are they for freshmen only?</p>
<p>I think it is always so easy for us to stereotype based on stories, appearance, fear, etc. I often remind my own D how many times quick judgements we have made in the past turn out to be SO wrong. Unfortunately, I have loads of personal experiences that illustrate it.
These sororities are not filled with heiresses or snots...or bimbos or rich kids--especially at the UDub. Those girls all go to USC......... JUST KIDDING!!!! (See how I pre judge!!....it's left over from my ancient Pac-10 upbringing!)
The only difference between those IN the Greek system and those NOT in the system at the U is that the "outsiders" didn't choose to step into the system. The girls are all the same. Simple as that. Greeks are just regular girls-all types-who have chosen to live together/self-govern (with some help) thruout their college experience.<br>
Rush at the U (as all schools) is a pain in the behind. It is superficial, fake, and stressful. So are job interviews and applying to colleges-as we all know. Unfortunately, no one has thought of better ways to do what these processes accomplish, so they continue. The upside of Rush is that from the first week of school your freshman year onward, you have a relatively stable group of potential friends to go thru the next 4 years with. The dorm experience also introduces you to others, but with (in my mind) the unfortunate circumstance that people are much more transient--after a quarter or two or three, they move to apartments of 3 or 4 people, or they switch floors and you don't see them often, etc. Sororities give you an extended time of stability to really find a group/your niche. And I have seen that it often takes time. As a freshman, kids often glob onto one another because of proximity/convenience...it is natural to want to bond with someone quickly. Although most of us can get along with most people superficially--even a bad roommate for a quarter-- living with a large stable group helps you find -over time- the girls (or guys) that you are drawn to on a deeper level. I think that is why there ends up being so much cohesion within the Greek system. My kids also thrived on the small amount of "life structure" provided---exchanges with other sor/frats to meet people, volunteer opportunities, especially easy access to school activities (like intramurals or clubs) since you already have such a built-in group to urge you on. All of this is totally accessible thru dorms also--just a little bit tougher to seek out. Believe me, there are plenty of chances to access all types of things in college-it's nice to have a few opportunities kind of set up for you too.
Unlike many other schools where sororities tend to take on more of a social "affiliation" aspect-living in one location but using the frat/sor. for "partying", (which I think lends itself to elitism..."what sorority do you "belong" to...etc) the UW provides a great home away from home opportunity that MANY MANY girls would enjoy if they could just forget the cliches. It is what you make it--an opportunity to live with a bunch of peers in a partial self-govern mode. Goofy--once in a while- (especially Rush), but mainly just a great way to find friends that can last a lifetime. It worked for us.
NO- I do not work for Panhellenic!! I just know what a positive experience it was for the members of my family, and I hate to think that good people let stereotyping keep them from possibly having a life altering experience--and that's exactly what finding life long friendships can do for you.
GO Huskies!!!!!!!!</p>
<p>PS--Congrats to all that have gotten into the U--especially D of mmboys07!! I could feel the tension down here in Ca!!<br>
Good luck to EVERYONE these next few weeks.</p>
<p>How much does living in a sorority cost? Is it the same as the dorms or more expensive?</p>
<p>caseyatbat; Thanks. Good luck to you. Pray for frop. He is a good kid and I believe still hasn't heard, but should be in. I am hanging on here until he finds out.</p>
<p>Lol, I love your long posts caseyatbat. I'm really going to have to show this one to my mom. We actually had a talk about this over dinner and I think she's starting to give in, or at least understand where I am coming from. Thank you so much for your insight! I really, really appreciate it!</p>
<p>mmboys07: Frop will go to the top of the prayer list!
dreamkissed: Each sorority charges according to its own costs, but D's was between $5400 and $5700/yr(depending on the year). The costs are almost exactly what the average dorm costs.<br>
Rovee: Good luck. You seem like the type of girl who could be happy in all kinds of situations, and there are many ways to find your niche at UW. Sororities are certainly not the only answer--just something worthy of consideration.</p>