<p>Numbers don’t tell you everything. At Dartmouth, for example, freshman can’t join frats, and sororities aren’t nearly as popular as fraternities. So, if you look at the percentage of students in Greek life, you’re not getting the full story. The percentage of upperclassmen (only men) in Greek life would show a different story than the overall percentage of students in Greek life. I’m not sure about the percentage you gave, but my sister–who is a student at Dartmouth–says that a percentage the school often gives out, of the total % of students in Greek life, underestimates the actual presence on campus.</p>
<p>Further, as others have pointed out, the percentage isn’t everything. A school may have a large and active Greek culture but also have a population of students actively involved in other activities. On the other hand, a school may have few students who are members of fraternities and sororities, but they may be the only places students socialize on campus.</p>
<p>Remember that at larger schools, even if the campus seems to be dominated by Greek life, there are going to be many students who want to be involved in other activities. The hard part is for a new student to find those peers who have no interest in Greek life–but at large schools, they do exist.</p>