<p>So.. If i decided to join a sorority, chances are Ill be paying for it. My parents are basically only willing to pay for my necessities. My dilemma is whether or not sorority life is worth the $$$$. Are there normal girls that arent in sororities? Im not all about superficial things, but Im worried all the girls I'm friends with will join & ill be left out. </p>
<p>Advice??
What are sorority girls at UF really like?</p>
<p>“Sorority girls at UF”? That’s too broad to describe. Each house has a different stereotype/rep. Some girls are (bluntly speaking) known as the “party girls” some are known as the “awkward ones”. I personally did not find it to be worth it at my school and even though UF has a chapter of my sorority (Tri Delta), I do not plan to join the house. I don’t like being told what to do, how I have to dress, or forced to attend activities when I rather do something else. I also didn’t like being watched when i’d go out to parties. If there was other girls from my sorority there (especially from e-board), they’d make sure you were always being appropriate/not drinking too much since you are “representing them”. It has its perks like having formals/events, having socials with frats, having a group of girls to always hang out with, networking, and built-in volunteer work. Another perk is if you join a “top house” your personal rep goes up a little and some people may think higher. Same if you join a bottom house, the other greeks (especially other sororities) will secretly think you’re a loser/think less of you. I would assume a lot of people think it’s worth it but I know a lot of girls “grow out of it” sooner or later. There are other ways to get to know girls/make friends. You could always join on campus clubs or socialize with your roomates. It’s not the end of the world. Also non-greeks tend to have negative views towards people in frats/sororities. Only like 15% of people at UF are greek btw.
P.s: my answer is controversial but I can assure you it is the most HONEST answer you will find. Everyone else tries to be politically correct and try to paint this “greek love” picture and claim we are all equal yadda yadda, but that is straight up B.S. Greek life is one of extreme rivalry, drama, gossip and high-school like cliques.</p>
<p>Thank you for the honesty! Thats what I need to hear.
What do you mean by "UF has a chapter of my sorority? Did you transfer to UF? </p>
<p>This may sound completely shallow… but I don’t want to be invisible. I’m definitely an independent person, & I think I would get sick of all the rules & such. However, I like the idea of constantly having something to do & people to be around. Like high school. I just want to make friends. Im out of state… so I literally don’t know anyone there. </p>
<p>Are there plenty of party/social opportunities for nongreeks?</p>
<p>& what are some of the sorority stereotypes? Im a ZTA and ChiO legacy. are they considered decent houses?</p>
<p>If you can afford it, do it. There are houses for everyone. And it is a great way for a support system while you are in college as well as having quite a few friends right away and many will be for life</p>
<p>I’m an incoming freshman and I plan on rushing. At first, I didn’t think I’d fit in with sorority life. But I’ve talked to multiple girls in sororities at UF and have decided to give it a try. Honestly, I don’t care if I’m in a “top” sorority or not. I’m just looking for a house that I feel comfortable in! Like you, I’m also concerned about the money. But I’ve talked to a girl who is currently in a sorority at UF, is pre-med, and has to pay for everything herself. She has time for a job, to participate in sorority activities, and to get good grades.</p>
<p>buuuump…</p>
<p>Greek Life is big at UF, so I would not deter anyone from it. You will have a great supporting cast and friends for the rest of your life upon joining a fraternity/sorority, your network will multiply times 100, you will be exposed to opportunities you wouldn’t otherwise have known about, you will have fun but also be helped academically in regards to studying, class selection, etc.</p>
<p>Some houses are expensive, some less so than others. At the same time, with a job to help you pay it off, it’s not THAT big of a worry. Off the top of my head, I think that AOPi is pretty cheap and they are one of the top 6 sorority houses here, so maybe check them out. If not, I’d still recommend going to rush, where you can talk the members about the costs and they might even be able to give insight on how they paid for it.</p>
<p>Also, for any guys out there…Last year, PIKE (Pi Kappa Alpha) came back on campus after getting kicked off for rape charges. They had dues of about $400 dollars as opposed to everyone else in the $2000 region. This year, I’m pretty sure Pi Kapp (Pi Kappa Phi) is coming back to campus after getting kicked off for hazing. I’m pretty positive they too will have low dues, so maybe check them out if your finances are a little iffy but you still want to get involved in Greek life. The year a fraternity gets back on campus their dues tend to be really low…As far as I’m aware, no one is coming back on campus in Fall 13, so anyone that is looking for a cheaper alternative in Fall 12 maybe check them out, the opportunity to join a group coming back on campus and being a “founder” doesn’t come around often. And don’t let the reasons they were kicked off for turn you away from them, obviously the nationals will make sure everything runs cleanly, PIKE had a great first year back. As I said I’d recommend Greek life to everyone, so go check out other houses of course too. But just throwing it out there. (Because sororities don’t really get kicked off or anything, this isn’t an option for girls.)</p>
<p>What do you mean by top 6? Like, popular? And, what’s “pretty cheap”? Just wondering, lol :D</p>
<p>You don’t need to pay to feel like you belong to something. If you’re a decent person you will make plenty of friends without joining a sorority. There are also plenty of other organizations on campus that are free and co-Ed. In my experience, “Greek” vs. “GDI”, doesn’t make any difference whatsoever once you are in the real world. I’d say save your money. You’re going to make friends no matter what. And college isn’t a popularity contest, it’s a life test. What matters is your grades, not the letters on the wall of your house.</p>
<p>I joined a fraternity my freshman year because I didn’t know much of anybody at UF and it was easily one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Definitely worth the money. Anything in specific you want to know?</p>
<p>Another alternative that might appeal to some people, although I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. D’s a member of Sigma Phi Lambda, which is one of two Christian sororities, and there are two Christian fraternities (Kappa Phi is one of them, don’t know the other name). They are NOT members of the Greek Panhellinic Council. However, they do participate in many of the same functions as the Greek sororities/fraternities. They have rush activities/pledges/ Bigs/Littles, etc just like the greek system, however, they do not do bids. Anyone who wishes to join, may join. And the dues are substantially less. Again, I realize not everyone is looking for this, but it is another option. D never thought she’d ever do a sorority, but this was a great fit for her. </p>
<p>zebes</p>
<p>Paying for friends.</p>
<p>There are a lot of genuine upsides to Greek life, but those three words are essentially what it boils down to. If you don’t need to, it’s probably not worth it.</p>
<p>^ +100pts …</p>
<p>Playing devils advocate here…</p>
<p>If greek life =paying for friends, then couldn’t the same be said for any organization that you pay fees or dues to belong to?</p>
<p>you could pay fees to clubs/organizations, even a home owners association, but that doesn’t mean you are in the org to make friends. In this case, you are in the greek orgs just to make friends, lets be honest. No one joins for the charity work.</p>
<p>Dues pay for food, the house, and social events. Nobody’s required to like you.</p>
<p>You’re paying money to be included in a social group. No money = no admittance. I just think if you already have a normal social group that you’re comfortable with there’s no reason to pay to be a part of one. Rushing just gives a feeling of exclusivity that hides the fact that, yes, you are paying for friends essentially.
There’s nothing wrong with it; I just find that many people wouldn’t find it to be worth it if they look at Greek life from that perspective.</p>
<p>I disagree with the assumption that people who join clubs and organizations are not in it for the social aspect. First of all, you have no idea what motivates people. Maybe it’s working towards a humanitarian goal, maybe it’s to play a sport. I suspect that for many, it serves as a social outlet. I know for a fact that people who join service organizations do so to take part in the social amenities that come along with it.</p>
<p>I don’t know when this became a debate…butttt most orgs and clubs are founded on certain ideas or purposes such as practicing a sport, learning something, helping others, etc. Friendships may come as a by product of interacting with someone you see often or share hobbies with. This is normal since we are social creatures. However in said clubs or orgs they dont sit around simply soaking in their friendship. The club doesn’t revolve around everyone having a permanent life bond and secret oath to love and care for one another always…</p>
<p>Now,</p>
<p>The foundation for SOCIAL Greek Organizations (social is even in the title lol), is to connect in brotherhood and form a social bond with others. The SOLE PURPOSE is to BOND with other people. FRATernity , frater, brother, brotherhood, union, love, bond. All these words pertain to social greek orgs and the POINT of them is basically to be friends with eachother. Then once you belong you all do activities together such as “philanthropic work” and social mixers/events. These activities would be the By product of the friendship/bond. So as you can see greek orgs and other clubs kind of have their purposes inverted.</p>
<p>OP–UF has a ton of wonderful clubs and organizations. It’s one of the great things about being at a large university. Every major has its own organizations and clubs. You do not have to join a sorority to get in a group unless you want to. Greek life fits some people but is not required in any way, shape or form.</p>