<p>I am a male Turkish high school senior.
There are a few liberal arts colleges that I am interested in but I understand that some of them have very heavy Greek (fraternity)presence dominating the college social life..
I am thinking of Bucknell,Colgate,Gettysburg,Wake Forest,Vanderbilt.
I know that most fraternities are exclusive and do not accept foreign students or do not welcome minorities unless it is a minority oriented fraternity.
If I do not join in a fraternity what is my social life going to be like ? will I be a misfit ?
Should I avoid applying to those colleges ?</p>
<p>You will be lynched and hung from a tree, clearly. You never have to join a frat to “fit in.”</p>
<p>Well most that I’ve heard who have join fraternities seem to imply as of having many good friends, a fun time, yet still academic focus ( including volunteering, organizations etc…). Attending a small university who is dominated by greek life, not being in one can raise faults… but overall I don’t think it’ll be miserable.</p>
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<p>Well…that wouldn’t exactly be legal.</p>
<p>You do not have to join a fraternity to be social, likewise, joining a fraternity won’t make you social. That’s all your doing.
You also shouldn’t be choosing your colleges based solely on Greek life.</p>
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<p>I can’t speak for Bucknell, Colgate, or Gettysburg, but for WF and Vandy, I would say that you’re incorrect. When I visited both universities, I hung out with some of the frats., and yes, they were all predominatly White, but many of them had members of a different ethnic/racial groups – Asians, Indians, Black, Middle Eastern, Hispanic you name it – they were all represented in the “non-minority” frats. Actually, the only minority frats in Wake are the historically black ones, and few latina ones. I wouldn’t worry. Greek life seems to culturally attract Caucasians, it’s not that they do not welcome minorities. It’s just most minority students are not really interested in Greek Life in the first place. </p>
<p>Are there brothers or sisters who have less-than-a-favorable opinion of other racial/ethnic groups? Yes. But that’s true for any organized groups. Greek Life as a whole does not seem to have prejudice of people different race/ethnicity from my personal experience.</p>
<p>Frats are just like anything else in the 21st Century. They could care less what race you are, but you don’t stand a chance at getting in if you’re some weird sniffely nosed creeper with a huge forehead or some oddity and people hear twilight zone every time you open your mouth. If that’s not you then don’t worry man.</p>
<p>You will be lynched and hung from a tree, clearly. You never have to join a frat to “fit in.” </p>
<p>ouch</p>
<p>''You also shouldn’t be choosing your colleges based solely on Greek life. ‘’</p>
<p>Interesting you said that because I was told the opposite.</p>
<p>I was told that in Greek dominated schools it will be very difficult to make friends or have a social life if you do not join a fraternity,you would be left out with little social options because Greeks socialize with each other all the time.</p>
<p>you say that is not true ?</p>
<p>thats patently false. on most campuses, greeks are a small minority of the population.</p>
<p>As others have said…frats will NOT discriminate against race or background or anything of that nature, because more than likely it’s against their (and the school’s) written policies and rules. And like most college kids nowadays, they really won’t care what color you are or what your accent sounds like if you’re a cool guy. If you think that you’re being discriminated against, you can go to the Dean as well.</p>
<p>That being said, do you WANT to join a frat? If you think you HAVE to join one, you won’t be happy, and the brothers will be able to tell (probably just during your rush period). A frat is lifelong, and can have a ton of great opportunities, and yes, can make being social easier - however, it won’t solve any issues, and you can still have a fantastic social life without one. I mean, do you think that everyone on a campus will ALL be in a frat? No! So, if being in a frat interests you, go for it; if it doesn’t, don’t force yourself to because of preconceived notions.</p>