<p>My daughter has been accepted to George Washington University (DC). This school was her top choice until she learned that freshmen are "rushed" and that there is a lot of pressure to join a sorority--something she is not interested in doing. She's afraid that the social life at GW will revolve mainly around Greek Life. Is this true in your experience?</p>
<p>Thanks for replying.</p>
<p>Can’t freshman choose whether or not they want to rush?</p>
<p>I go to Northwestern, where 40% of the students go Greek. I am proud to count myself among that 40%. However, many of my friends, my roommate, and my boyfriend are not Greek and have no intention of ever being so. The way I see it, Greek life can definitely add to your social experience in college, but it doesn’t/shouldn’t define you, your college experience, or your friends. I have many friends who are in my sorority, sure, but it’s not the biggest part of my life here.</p>
<p>While it may seem at first like college life IS all about Greek life, I’m sure your daughter will find great friends who share her interests, whatever those may be. :)</p>
<p>Depends completely on the school and even then not all school events will involve the Greeks. If by social life she’s worried about what she’ll be doing with her friends then I think that she’ll probably have some involvement with the Greeks but nothing to major. For example, she might go to a Greek party or Relay for Life and see the greeks perform.</p>
<p>It has affected me none. We have no greek/sorority stuff at my university. I am very okay with that.</p>
<p>It’s important to note that rush is a voluntary process. It really does depend on your school though - some are extremely Greek to the point where it could be an issue, some have no Greek life, and some are in the middle. At UW-Madison Greeks are only around 10% - most people are not Greek but they have a presence on campus, and there is no pressure whatsoever. I think it’s great. I am personally in a sorority but those who are not have just as much fun.</p>
<p>I’m currently heavily involved in Greek Life on my campus, although when I was a freshman, I had close to no interest and didn’t even invest my time in checking out the system. The reason why I’m even involved at all is because my fraternity originally reached out to me.</p>
<p>Many people are afraid of Greek Life because of common perceptions from an outsider’s standpoint. To be completely honest, a lot of the stereotypes are actually somewhat true, but they only cover 10% of the story. The other side is what balances it out.</p>
<p>Main thing I’m saying is basically: don’t make the judgment on Greek Life so quickly. It’s optional, and if it doesn’t work out, it’s possible to drop.</p>
<p>GWU has deferred rush, which means it takes place at/near the beginning of the second semester. One of the benefits of this is that the girls get to know the sororities before the pressure cooker of rush week, and those girls interested will get to know sorority members too. When they say that sorortiy members ‘rush’ freshmen girls, what they mean is that current sorority members will invite small groups of girls out for coke or ice cream dates or lunch to chat about greek / sorority life in a relaxed and informal way. If your daughter is invited, then she doesn’t have to go - and once the sororities realise she has declined a couple of invites, then I doubt she will be pestered to go. </p>
<p>The only possible pestering could be from her friends in dorm/classes who ARE interested in greek life may want her to join them on these outings and also for her to register to rush. It is up to her to manage these friendships and if they are real friends then the relationship will survive beyond rushing and sororities. We had deferred rush at my school and one of my closest friends didn’t rush, wasn’t interested - and we are still close friends to this day</p>
<p>I really urge your daughter not to base her decision on whether to attend a university based on whether there are sororities or not, especially not a college located in such a diverse and vibrant city as DC.</p>
<p>Actually, I take that back - got GWU confused with somewhere else - duh, I am sick at the moment and not really with it!</p>
<p>GWU rush is in mid/late september so the only rushing that wil go on is during the formal rush week. All your daughter has to do to avoid this is not to register and not to attend!</p>
<p>Depending on when the semester starts, the pressure to register and go through rush could still come from newly made friends and acquaintances, in which case my comments on friendships still apply</p>
<p>[GW</a> Student Activities Center - Greek Life](<a href=“http://gwired.gwu.edu/sac/greek/howtojoin/panhelrecruitment/]GW”>http://gwired.gwu.edu/sac/greek/howtojoin/panhelrecruitment/)</p>
<p>Thank you for your quick and very helpful replies. I will share these with my daughter. I certainly feel reassured!</p>
<p>The Mom</p>
<p>Hope you feel better–your response really helps!</p>