How prevalent is Greek life for the students? I know it’s a big deal, but is it completely overwhelming for a girl who doesn’t really want to join a sorority? Is it hard to have a social life if you’re not involved with this? Thanks!
Around 50% of freshman girls pledge sororities, but as the kids stay in school, that percentage drops a good bit. Overall, about 33% of all students are members of Greek-letter organizations - that means 2/3 of the student body is NOT. And the 33% includes sororities, fraternities, historically black and historically Latino sororities and fraternities, and a handful of Greek-letter fraternal groups that are related to major but function as social groups. Some of those are co-ed.
So a non-Greek person CAN be fine. Believe me, you don’t have to have Greek letters to party!
Plus non-Greek girls are welcome at any fraternity events and parties. And many sorority women have close non-Greek friends that they invite to the house.
It can be a big deal if she makes it one, but it can also be no big deal if she feels that way.
Almost 2,500 freshmen women participated in August 2014 recruitment–so, it will certainly appear to be a big deal. For detailed info on recruitment at U of Alabama, read, read, read GreekChat.
Actually just a brush under 2,200 girls went through formal recruitment 2014. Two more resources: www.thesororitylife.com and www.sororityparents.com .