Greek Life

Parents Forum
21

<p>OP- as others have said, it DEPENDS on the campus.</p>

<p>Colgate, for example, yes, is a big party school and has about 45% of upperclassmen in Greek life. Does it feel that way? Not necessarily- especially that the frat brothers don't wear their letters- the only obvious thing about them on campus is the carpool up the hill. For the ladies, they wear their letters casually or on certain days. Otherwise, students don't realize that they're in constant company with a Greek member.</p>

<p>We do have the highest GPA average (3.2 vs 3.0 for the rest) on campus, lead many community service events on campus, hold some of the highest leadership positions like the SGA, and et cetera. There are special scholarships and some organizations have strict academic standards that if a member falls below the requirement, s/he is required to study a certain amount of hours and meet with the professor.</p>

<p>Contrary to the reality, most of the parties on campus occur in the student apartments, not frat parties. The frats do hold one or two huge parties per semester but that's it. Their social parties have bouncers where you have to know a brother in order to get in.</p>

<p>In addition to others' point that the Greek presence can't be judged by figures alone, every campus is generally different. Colgate has tighter reins on Greek life and that's why I didn't hesistant to come here and was comfortable joining a sorority. If it was, say, UMass, forget it. It's a zoo. Your D will need to take the other factors in first and then make the campus' Greek life as a secondary factor unless it's practically mandatory to join one (like those with over 80% of the student body going Greek). I wanted to come to Colgate mainly for the academics, campus, friendly people, and location, not the Greek life.</p>

<p>It IS possible to maintain independence while going Greek. If your brothers or sisters can't respect it, then the organization isn't probably for you. Yes, there are lots of responsiblities for new members and unfortunately, you don't quite find out exactly what and when until you've pledged. It does somewhat help the pledge class bond.... </p>

<p>Really, make Greek life a secondary factor. If the school's already a big drinking school, then Greek life has nothing to do with it really...</p>

22

<p>I'm not sure I buy the self-selection theory. An active Greek or active party culture may just attract a high percentage of party animals. It is best to understand the college culture before applying or accepting admission.</p>

23

<p>I disagree that Greek life is a secondary factor. Having gone to an undergrad school with a big Greek presence, I would say it clearly shapes the social life of a college or university. </p>

<p>Edad is right...best to understand that before deciding to attend.</p>

24

<p>My husband would agree with Allmusic. He attended an LAC that was dominated by frats, and it was not fun to be on the outside of that.</p>

25

<p>The percentages listed in books like Princeton Review give a good sense of things along with comments in such books like PR and Fiske as to which school's frats "dominate the social scene" provide a good start. I agree that the locations of the frat houses is telling. At Lehigh they are all on "the hill" and it clearly is a presence that dominates the atmosphere, I felt the same about Washington & Lee. I know PENN was considering moving some frat houses from Locust Walk which is the center of campus and possibly one of the nices spots too. Don't know if that occurred or not. As a general rule rural schools seem to rely more on the frat scene since there might not be many opportunities to do things off campus. Our S#1 chose an urban environment with a low percentage of students in frats as an important part of his selection process yet it wouldn't surprise me if S#2 is attracted to that aspect of college life. It seems Greek Life tends to be a love it or hate it phenomenon.</p>

<p>The OP's student has a preference and no doubt it makes sense then to explore what level of Greek Life occurs at the collegs he/she visits. Some schools that are trying to get away from their party reputations make promises during prospective students visits about changes in the frat/drinking scene as a way to attract other types of kids. I am wary of these claims since once the kids start the school they find out that the self selection process where students that want that scene choose the college for that reason makes it challenging to change the norms, some of which have developed over decades.</p>