<p>My D is interested in WPI, but she just found out that 50% or so of the students belong to a fraternity or sorority. I'm not sure my D would fit into a sorority - what are they like at WPI? How hard is it to make friends and have a social life (or housing) if you don't belong to one?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>My D is a freshman at WPI. According to the WPI website, it says that approximately 30% of the student body is involved in Greek life. My D was not really interested in joining a sorority when she looked at schools and decided to go to WPI. She made friends through her dorm, her fall sport, and classes. She did end up going through rush and surprised herself by deciding to pledge a sorority. The experience has been very positive for her. She has lots of friends that are Greek and lots of friends that are independent. Her Greek friends are from all of the different houses. I will say that in a school that is only 30% women, having a lot of female upperclassmen mentors is a really nice thing. She has found this through her sorority as well as her sports team (not all of the girls on the team are Greek, and of those that are, they are from different houses; all of the girls are really close though). She will be living in her sorority house next year with 11 other girls (physical house is small so there is a lottery for sophomores that want to live there). H is thrilled since added bonuses are a) it is technically a dry sorority b) men are not allowed past the living room and c) it’s cheaper than living in a dorm! </p>
<p>As a side note, my H and his brother both went to WPI “back in the day.” H was independent; his brother belonged to a fraternity. Both had wonderful experiences and still are close to classmates from their college days. </p>
<p>Not sure if this is the kind of information you are looking for. Feel free to PM me with any questions.</p>
<p>ETA - housing is very limited in the sororities (frats not so much), so whether Greek or not, most students either move off campus to nearby apartments or stay on campus in dorms or on campus apartments. Being Independent or Greek has little bearing on housing for WPI women. The social life does seem to revolve a lot around frat parties or house parties. Students do not have to be Greek to go to these however. D is not a big partier so usually finds other activities with smaller groups of friends.</p>
<p>Just so you have recent, accurate information, the WPI common data set says that 32% of freshman men joined fraternites and 44% of freshman women (with 28% of all undergraduate men in fraternities and 41% of all undergraduate women in sororities).</p>
<p>See page 19:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.wpi.edu/Images/CMS/IRO/WPI_CDS_2012-2013.pdf[/url]”>http://www.wpi.edu/Images/CMS/IRO/WPI_CDS_2012-2013.pdf</a></p>
<p>My son is at WPI. The Greek Life doesn’t really dominate the social scene unless you are a party-person (because that’s where the parties are!) There are plenty of clubs, and activities etc. etc.
He really didn’t want to go to a Greek-dominated school and he is quite happy with the balance at WPI. Many of his freshmen dorm-mates joined frats and he was not interested in joining them at the time. But he is now in a frat, but they don’t have a house. So I think he still spends more time with friends from his classes and clubs.</p>
<p>My D has a very similar story to GraniteStateMom. My D is also involved in several other activities and has many friends through her sorority and her other clubs. D is also not a big partier.</p>
<p>Remember, if there are 40% of the class in Greek life, 60% are not.</p>
<p>What are your D’s ECs in High School?</p>
<p>Thanks for all the honest, thoughtful replies!</p>
<p>To be honest, I don’t have much positive experience with fraternal organizations, so I’m sure my bias has rubbed off on my D. But, I want to help give her a realistic idea of WPI. I know other schools where if you aren’t in frat or sorority, some social & living options are hampered.
My daughter doesn’t party much (at all?) either.</p>
<p>And, I can’t seem to square the idea that a science/tech school would have even 30% Greek life - is it Geek Greek? </p>
<p>gsmomma - my D likes to sing, is in robotics and plays badminton. She is very geeky in her tastes in tv/movies (big Dr Who fan). And, we are from the west coast, so there will be some culture shock in going east to school too. I just don’t want her to go to a tech school and end up feeling too geeky!</p>
<p>Mom2kids- WPI has a very, very active music and theater program- both instrumental and vocal. D1 is an active member and officer of the Women’s chorus, as well as a behind the scenes person in the theater department.</p>
<p>Mom2kids - agree with gsmomma - WPI has incredibly active music and theater programs. I am more familiar with the instrumental groups - there is marching band, jazz band, concert band, small ensembles, etc. The musical groups frequently travel abroad. </p>
<p>And yes, Geek Greek - love it! - is probably a very good description. As far as the sororities are concerned, I can almost guarantee that it is nothing like what you are picturing. There is no pressure to join (or not join) and I am sure that your D would find many other singing Dr. Who fans. The thing that has struck me the most about my D’s freshman experience so far is how happy she is. She is doing well academically, has found great support from profs and other students, and is thriving socially. She has a large, diverse group of friends and has found it easy to find others with similar values. The school is a great fit for her. Whether your D decides to attend WPI or go elsewhere, I wish her the same happy experience!</p>