<p>I recently began my college search, and am very interested in Wesleyan. However, I have a strong aversion to schools whose social scenes are dominated by sororities and fraternities, or their non-Greek equivalents. The idea of such an "exclusive" social scene seems really unappealing. Through my research, I've found that Wesleyan does have a Greek system, but I have not been able to find any information about how popular it is. Is it like Swarthmore's, which is essentially nonexistant, or is it more influential?</p>
<p>driftwood: </p>
<p>Only about 10% of the campus is Greek. </p>
<p>The frats play about as big a role in campus life as you want them to. They definitely don’t dominate the social scene; no one will judge you for not being in one (indeed, the opposite is more likely to happen). However, they are where some of the biggest dance parties and concerts happen (esp. Psi U and Eclectic). However, if you aren’t into big dance parties and concerts, you can avoid them entirely.</p>
<p>More importantly, the big, advertised parties aren’t exclusive at all. If you go to a big dance party at Psi U, for instance, probably the only interaction with the brothers you’ll have is at the door, and the only reason they’d turn people away is if you don’t have your WesID or there are already too many people inside. Often enough, the big concerts at Psi U and Eclectic aren’t even thrown BY the frat/soceity, but by some group that is just using their space (there are a lot of benefit concerts at Psi U, for instance). </p>
<p>Basically, an aversion to Greek life is not a reason not to come to Wes! And I say that as someone who takes part in Greek life (ADP – one of the co-ed societies).</p>
<p>Very helpful, thanks!</p>
<p>[Wesleying:</a> Greek Life](<a href=“http://wesleying.blogspot.com/2006/08/greek-life.html]Wesleying:”>Wesleying: Greek Life)</p>
<p>
don’t worry, you’ll fit in just fine. I had the same attitude towards greek life and I think the greek scene is definitely a net positive, since so few people are actually in societies they contribute a space for dance parties and concerts without really taking anything away.</p>
<p>That wesleying post is a pretty good run down. DKE and Beta are the most fratty, they basically provide a niche for a couple of sports teams and their friends. I’ve never been in either (DKE just got off probation) and I don’t have much of a desire to, but I definitely don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything. I’ve never had a night where the only thing that’s happening is at the frats. Psi U is the other real frat, which has more open events and has a bigger presence, but I’ve only been there for dance parties and concerts. I’m guess I’ve never been to an actual frat party. Except for Beta, the ‘frats’ have program house status and operate mostly the same way as program houses. so in general, official events (which they’re required to put on to keep their status) won’t even serve alcohol. As for Eclectic and Alpha Delt, they’re coed and are nothing like the stereotype of frats. They’re more like big, selective program houses.</p>
<p>In short, yeah, we have a couple frats, which is a little contrary to the stereotypical image of Wes (especially since Amherst and Williams, which seem more like they would be big on greek life, banned them). but they definitely add way more than they take away.</p>
<p>The frats/societies throw some of the best dance parties on campus and do a lot of benefit/fundraiser events as well as host some great speakers. </p>
<p>On the whole, they’re great for the community and I’ve enjoyed the (limited) time I’ve spent at them over my 4 years here. </p>
<p>Crap. It’s already been 4 years. I don’t wanna leave!</p>