<p>If you're social/outgoing, I would definitely recommend joining one. Penn is the type of school where is it totally possible to have a social life without going Greek, but if you're looking for the traditional (i.e. drunken partying) college experience, join a frat. It's a great way to make a lot of friends too. (P.S. I'm a girl so..not from a guy's perspective. But I'm in a sorority and most of my guy friends are in frats.) There are 28 frats here and the variety is huge. It's difficult to say what's best when it really depends on what you're looking for, but I'm assuming you mean best=most socially elite.</p>
<p>Secret Societies:
Theos: Fairly large pledge classes. Very Jewish and NYC/LA. A little metro/trendy. They have a TON of parties, on and off campus, and they're always well attended.</p>
<p>Owls: Very small, which limits the amount of parties. VERY wealthy. Rush isn't open, you have to be tapped, and they usually tap people who are known to be rich, from rich areas, or internationals.</p>
<p>Oz: Kind of like owls- small and very wealthy. From what I've heard, a little less foreign. Neither Oz nor Owls really has huge open parties, but they're generally connected with others who do.</p>
<p>Actual frats:
Zetes: Very secretive. Donald Trump's frat. Very wealthy- it's widely rumored that brothers sign over 1% of everything they ever earn. They take their pledges to Amsterdam every year. Usually associated with lots of drugs. I don't actually know if they throw good parties, they just sort of have a rep on campus. But they did have trouble filling a pledge class this year.</p>
<p>St A's: Almost entirely New England prep school guys. Wealthy. Good parties, lots of live music. Classy. Known for heavy drinking. Verrry selective- you can't really rush another frat.</p>
<p>Phi Delt: Also very preppy, but a little more geographically diverse. More Southern. Also heavy drinkers and good parties.</p>
<p>Beta: Your typical frat. Lots of club athletes and ex-athletes. Again..good parties.</p>
<p>Sigma Chi: Very athletic- literally a majority of recruited athletes. Considered "nicer" guys than some of their counterparts.</p>
<p>Castle: VERY international- almost entirely. Wealthy, but sometimes considered eurotrash. Good parties, good alcohol. Their rep is sliding a little.</p>