Hi we are planning to visit the school in January but just curious…many folks have told us this college is very greek-i.e. feels greek and seems like many people pledge. I do not think the school’s actual greek participation figures support this Vibe but would love to get someone else’s thoughts on this issue? My daughter is very strongly anti-greek at least at this point. Will she feel weird at Miami?
My daughter was also very opposed to Miami this time last year: didn’t like the preppy reputation and didn’t want to an overwhelmingly greek school. Fast forward to today: she’s finishing her first semester as a business major; lives in the honors dorm; absolutely loves it. She now tells me there really are lots of people who aren’t greek…but she’s planning to rush. Go figure.
The other thing to remember about the greek statistics: the numbers they typically report don’t only include traditional social fraternities and sororities. They also include business fraternities, service fraternities, and others.
On the surface, you will see lots of Greek letters, but there are a huge number of non-Greek options too. There really seems to be something for everyone.
If your daughter is strongly anti-Greek, I don’t think this is the school for her. There is a very large Greek presence. If she was agnostic about it, I wouldn’t say that. But if she is actively anti-Greek, I don’t think it’s a good fit.
Overall, one-third of the campus is greek. Roughly 30% of men and 36% of women. I don’t know of any non-greeks who feel left out or lacking a social life. Miami has countless clubs, sport, and social organizations having nothing to do with the greek system. Miami is a work hard, play hard sort of place. Everyone is involved in something and generally social. The pulse I have is that roughly one-third of Miami students are somewhat anti-greek. One third don’t care. One third are greek. I would say that Miami can seem intimidating for very shy people. Also, it may not be a fit for extreme liberal attitudes (although it is no longer the conservative bastion it was back in the 80’s).