<p>How prominent is the Greek system at USC? Is it a must to join a sorority in order to have a decent social life or are they not that important?</p>
<p>I’m in a sorority and I love it, but it’s absolutely not necessary to join a sorority in order to have a social life. I do love all of my sisters, though, and I’m so glad I joined. I think about 20-25% of the school is Greek, but we are a very visible and present 20-25%, especially during welcome week and the first week of school, when recruitment is happening.</p>
<p>i spent my first 2 years at usc as a non-greek and loved it. i joined a panhellenic sorority my junior year and am having an amazing experience with it too. it really depends on what kind of experience you want out of college. if you don’t join a sorority, you should still have an amazing social life. my advice is that you rush and try it out, and if you decide it’s not for you, you can always drop.</p>
<p>I’d like to know more too. I mean I know someone who graduated last year and never joined and was happy and then my dad’s alum group none of whom were in a frat but obviously that was a long time ago. Still the same?</p>
<p>I have no trouble if it’s visible as long as there’s no pressure. :)</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>It’s not required. I wasn’t in a sorority – in fact, none of my close girlfriends were – and we survived just fine! Actually, I found that it let me find friends with whom I knew I’d be closer to and have more in common with and to have the free time to do so. Keep in mind that you will have a lot of commitments that come with joining a sorority and that you’ll have to get along with people that you normally wouldn’t hang out with. (I wasn’t quite into that idea, myself.)</p>
<p>I know it seems like you have to be in a frat/sorority at USC because it seems so prevalent, but it isn’t something that will kill your social life. I joined other non-Greek groups on campus and found my friends that way, and also made friends the old fashioned way, too!</p>
<p>I don’t want to speak ill of the Greek system, though; it’s just not for everyone and I’d hate to see someone who isn’t made for that kind of scene feel they need to become a part of it to make friends. You can have an enriching college experience with or without joining a Greek group. I think it really depends on the kind of person you are and what kind of people you like to be friends with/like to be around.</p>
<p>Finally – if you do want to rush, make sure you pick the house YOU like best and don’t go off recommendations from your family, friends and the general reputation of a house. All that matters is where you fit best! A good friend of mine was a legacy and was essentially forced by her parents to join the sorority her mom was in at USC. She survived and made some friends, but she always speaks about the experience negatively because she wasn’t a great fit for the kind of girls who traditionally are in that sorority; she always mentioned that she would have liked to choose her house without her mom’s input.</p>
<p>thanks you guys for the responses!</p>
<p>when is rush week? Do freshmen rush, sororities or is that in sophomore year?</p>
<p>Formal recruitment for sororities is the first week of classes. It’s mostly freshman who are going through recruitment, though sophomore and juniors also participate.</p>