Is it possible to have fun in a fraternity/sorority if you refuse to drink under 21?

<p>YES, if you need to be all liquered just to have a good time why bother with a frat just go get drunk with a bum or wine ol</p>

<p>I wouldn’t recommend it. I usually don’t stereotype but the whole frat/sorority stereotype is very often true. I mean I’m sure there’s probably a few out there that won’t give you trouble for not drinking but it’s very rare. I’ve had a few friends who rushed thinking they would give it a chance (they weren’t into the party scene) however they found out it really wasn’t for them. Most of my friends who are in frats and sororities have told me that alcohol is very common in hazing. Also I don’t know ANY frat/sorority that does NOT haze in some way. They all do, some more brutal than others. My friend who is in a frat who didn’t drink before eventually gave in. </p>

<p>Like what others said, I believe being a teetotaler in the greek system is tough, and the greek system probably isn’t the right environment for that.</p>

<p>And I always find it funny when people say it’s paying for friends because I have had friends who are in the greek system tell me that that is what it essentially is. I won’t say that I will believe it because I’m sure it’s more than that but sometimes my friends do make me think otherwise.</p>

<p>Can’t tell you about all but S is in a 42 member fraternity with 5 members that don’t drink. Neither drinkers nor nondrinkers care what the others do. If one were strongly opposed to drinking, a fraternity/sorority might not be a good place to be but many have no problem if you choose not to drink.
Best advice would be to ask. If they pause or have much hesitation in their answer, drinking is probably a key part of their house. If they immediatly answer and point out several of their members who don’t drink, their organizations don’t revolve around drinking.</p>

<p>Some groups really do place more importance on community service than parties and stuff, but it varies greatly between groups.</p>

<p>From my experience, it only sucks when people blow you off to go to the bar. In the college town that I am at right now, there’s not a lot of things to do. So turning 21, like anywhere else, is like a Right-of-college-Passage. I joined my sorority when I was 19 and if you weren’t 21 then the night ended at like 9:30 while everyone else went to the bar. It was totally unfair because the sorority members were like 23-26. The reason the were so old is because at that time our group was allowed to take in graduate sisters. We no longer do this. (Thank God…) </p>

<p>Anyway, I digress. People are going to drink, it’s a given. You just need to find the right group of people who will still stick by you even if you’re cradling a red solo cup all night and day.</p>

<p>OP,</p>

<p>The answer is of course yes, it is possible. Will it happen at the chapters at your school? I don’t know. Go to the houses during rush, be yourself, and find out if a) you like being there without drinking and b) if the house gives you a bid. Unless both things occur, it’s all a moot point.</p>

<p>First off I am going to gauge that a lot of people don’t really know much about the greek system here, and that’s fine because a lot of it is secretive and can only be discovered by joining a fraternity/sorority. I’m in a fraternity and would also like to point out that hazing is ILLEGAL. Some fraternities do it still, but it’s very hush hush and is usually not too extreme. Luckily my fraternity never hazed. </p>

<p>On to the question though it is possible to have fun without drinking. Fraternities do so much more than just party and plenty of activities which don’t require alcohol. Granted, a part of it will be drinking and if you refuse to drink because of the legal age than that may questioned. If your if you want a beer or something respond with, “No it’s good man I don’t drink”, and not "The legal drinking age is 21 and drinking is unacceptable. We have a religious pledge and he doesn’t drink, nobody pressures him to or really cares.</p>

<p>It probably depends on the sorority/fraternity, and how often they drink. Have you been to a party where everyone is drinking but you? It’s not that fun unless you bring a friend really. Because when you’re drunk, the scope of things that are hilarious widens and suddenly things that wouldn’t be funny at all become the greatest thing alive- which means when you’re sober, you’re more likely to not be as amused by things that drunk people think are hilarious. Plus, it’s really hard to hold a conversation with someone who’s completely plastered usually. But if there’s moderate drinking & a few other sober people, it can be fun still imo.</p>