<p>My son saw Rhodes College at a college fair. He thought it was great based on talking to the rep then and wants to turn in app to there too. However, I read on some reviews that it is a big greek school. If so, I am unsure if my son would fit in. Plus, it seems as if it might be harder to get in to?</p>
<p>is it worth paying the extra money and just letting an app go that direction too? Thanks!</p>
<p>It’s a big frat school in term of high Greek participation. It’s not a big frat school in terms of stereotypical raging-kegger frat culture. The system is non-residential. I believe that real Southeastern Conference frat guys would laugh at Rhodes (which is a good thing in my book). This isn’t something I would be too worried about for my own students.</p>
<p>Is it something where if a student does not join, they will be on the outs from the social scene? Or if they are not a popular type, the fraternities won’t want them?</p>
<p>You will not be on the outs at Rhodes if you don’t join. I believe, like Sewanee, the parties are open to everyone. It is a nice campus and a great environment. For more info, PM long-time poster Curmudgeon whose daughter had an excellent 4 years there and is now at Yale Medical School.</p>
<p>Parent of a 2012 graduate here (I’m also an alum, as is my spouse). D had friends who were Greek and friends who weren’t–as MoWC says, most Greek parties are open to everyone. I think the party culture at Rhodes is comparable to most small LA colleges. The things we liked best at Rhodes were: excellent, small classes; excellent advising; small college in an urban area; emphasis on volunteerism; excellent merit scholarships; beautiful campus. All of those were true 30 years ago, and they continue to be true today. D is currently in a top 20 MD/PhD program.</p>
<p>This is all really good to hear. I have Rhodes on my list for S’14 and we plan to visit when we see Sewanee. There’s a car in our town with a Rhodes bumper sticker on it, but everytime I get up the courage to approach, I get nervous…</p>
<p>classof2015…approach them! If they have the sticker…they would probably love to talk to you.</p>
<p>Unless they are from Baylor. Oddly, I found people from Baylor not wishing to visit when I have seen them.</p>
<p>Second the talk to Curm about Rhodes, he is usually on the pre-med forum helping out.</p>
<p>His daughter excelled at Rhodes in undergrad, and yes she is at Yale med school now. BUT she turned down Yale undergrad for Rhodes undergrad, that is the significance of the Yale connection.</p>
<p>And if I am not mistaken she was also awarded a national scholie as an undegrad at Rhodes (HUGE). </p>
<p>So talk to him he will have all the specifics, good and bad.</p>
<p>And one of my fav schools is Sewanee, love, love the school. Along with Vandy.</p>
<p>Kat</p>
<p>At every college, you can be in a frat or not and be happy and sociable with whatever group or groups of people you choose.</p>
<p>^^ Class of 2015 - just wanted to make sure you realized it’s a good 5 hour drive from Sewanee to Rhodes. Doable for sure, but surprising if you’re not familiar with the actual length of Tennessee. Good luck though - they’re both fine schools.</p>
<p>Parent of a Rhodes 2014. Lots of good things about the school, but the Greek influence is not one of those things. </p>
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<p>This is true, but the problem at Rhodes is that many students tend to accept that the frat party is the thing to do on the weekend. So while there is no pressure to join a frat (my daughter did not join a sorority and has been happy with her decision; she can attend any Greek function she wants to, so long as one of her Greek friends invites her), the Greek culture is still a big influence. And I am not saying that the frat parties are horrible. And perhaps if it was not a frat party it would be a lacrosse team party (college students do seem to like their parties)–but it does seem to me that the Greek system at Rhodes does take up too much social space, if that makes sense. </p>
<p>I should also say, though, that despite all of this, my HS junior nephew is seriously looking at Rhodes and I would not discourage him from attending based on the Greeks. The Greeks are in the “con” column but there is really a lot in the “pro” column.</p>
<p>ETA “No, not at all” to all of this:</p>
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