<p>Although it's a little too late to post a thread on something about joining sororities and fraternities, I'm still curious to know how much it has an affect on my college if I do join one, especially if 24% of the student population is involved in the Greek society. Some people told me that joining a sorority was a great way to broaden my social network, but some others tell me that it's too binding and they strip you off from your individual identitiy (like requiring you to be at the house for certain times a week, to wear certain outfits on certain days, etc...).</p>
<p>As a student aiming for an academic success at college rather than partying my heart out, I don't know just how much benefit joining a frat will bring to my goals. For instance, by having networks through a sorority group, will they leave me with "legacies", such as a leadership position at another club just because I'm a fellow Greek? Will they help steer me to the right direction in terms of getting good grades? Or is it just a huge obstacle in getting my studies done?</p>
<p>I appreciate for some thoughtful advices. Thanks!</p>
<p>i know lots of people in frats and sororities at a lot of schools, and based on this it seems to me that the answer to your question is that it is completely relative to the school and the fraternity/sorority. not much help probably, but true</p>
<p>GLOs provide networking opportunities throughout a member's lifetime. In terms of academics, ask the Greek Life Advisor or look online to see the average GPA of each house as well as Greek women vs. all-women average GPAs.</p>
<p>No, there isn't, ricola. It depends on the school and it depends on the individuals in that fraternity / sorority. Some schools are Greek-dominant and it has little to do with what % of the campus is actually Greek. Some schools have a culture where Greeks and non-Greeks totally mingle; others, Greeks just with other Greeks; and yet others, Greeks with only the members of their own house. Without knowing your college, who can say? </p>
<p>Though I don't see how requiring you to be at the house X times a week (presumably for chapter meetings) is "stripping you of your identity" any more than membership in another club that would require you to be at a club meeting X times a week.</p>
<p>Either it appeals to you, or it doesn't. Don't overthink it.</p>
<p>Ah - I figured out where you currently are. From what I understand, the Greek system there is more on the superficial and cliquey side but that's just what I've heard, with no firsthand experience.</p>
<p>Well, that's fine, but I didn't know that from your original post. I think you're better off asking other USC-ers about the fraternity/sorority system, than asking people in general to comment on fraternities/sororities in general. A good friend of mine attended USC and her Greek experience and my Greek experience at NU appear to have been worlds apart -- no general observations could be made (per your post #3). But the social dynamics of those two colleges are very different too.</p>
<p>Oh, it seems that I have offended you with my previous inarticulate comment--forgive me if I had, because I didn't mean it that way. I just meant that you didn't have to go through all those troubles to try and guess just where I might be going to school. But nevertheless, thank you very much for your valid insight!! :)</p>