I am a freshman girl at U Michigan and sorority rush did not work out for me. I now feel completely lost socially as every party and tailgate seems to be a Greek mixer and I have nobody to hang out and party with. Are there any clubs or non-Greek groups that host parties and social events that people can suggest? Feeling lost and sad and really appreciate some help
Hi @michgirl22 I understand your pain. It is tough when you rush and then it does not work out. However – and I know this is hard – you have to remind yourself that Greek like becomes less and less important and attractive as you move through college at Michigan. It seems huge as a first-semester freshman, but a bit less so as a second-semester freshman. It diminishes even more in sophomore year. By junior and senior year, nobody really cares except for the Greek “die-hards.” In fact, a lot of people drop the sorority by senior year.
OK, getting that part out of the way, what can you do now? As a parent, I don’t know anything about specific parties. But I do know that there are hundreds of clubs and groups, and many of them work out to be de facto sororities/fraternities insofar as the group of students is very close and members make their best friends from that group. One such group is the Michigan Daily. Do you like to research or write? If not, you can look into being on the business end of newspaper. Or the design end.
If Michigan daily doesn’t appeal to you, search for anther activity where the students work toward a common goal and become like a de facto “sorority.”
I agree that people, both Greek and non-Greek, care a lot less about Greek Life as you go through college. You will have access to alternative social settings (if partying is your thing), such as house parties, co-op parties, bars/clubs, etc.
As a woman, you can probably get into most fraternity parties that are not closed (for example, most of the tailgates are not closed to just their membership, so you can still get in as long as you are not a guy who does not have good connections or not coming in with a large group of women) if frat parties are really your scene. The bars/clubs will remain inaccessible for you until much later unless you have a fake. When you turn 21, most frat parties are the least desirable of the party settings you have access to anyway. Find a student org that really speaks to you, and run with it!
@michgirl22 Kappa Delta is recolonizing on the University of Michigan campus this month and I don’t think you are too late to try that if you are still interested in joining the greek system. They are having additional info sessions over the next two weeks and formal informational session and open house the last weekend in October. Google Kappa Delta University of Michigan and get more information. That info is only if you are still interested in joining the greek system but many have a great experience in helping the recolonization of a house.
It’ll take some courage, but attempt to form a study group in one or more of your classes. Coalescing around tests, midterms, papers, etc., can provide another avenue to form friendships. Also, meeting other students recognizable from class, in math, writing and/or science labs is another way to make friends.
Michigan has a road game in East Lansing this Saturday, so I’m sure students will gathering around TV’s in common areas to watch the big game. Good luck.
As stated join clubs and student organizations that interest you. My daughter is a junior transfer at a small liberal arts College. Knew no one. She joined a food coop house. They make dinner together daily but each pair of kids cooks together weekly. They have their own house. She joined a boating group (totally out of character for her) learned and teaches other how to use kayaks and row boats… Said she met tons of people. She is going hiking this week with another group. Loves the people she’s meeting by taking a chance on herself.
I was just at Michigan visiting my son and went to the Wisconsin game) : there are a lot of events coming up all over the place. He also is not Mr. Outgoing but got tired of not doing much so he couldn’t find a group to join so with another kid they formed their own group and it took off. He also met kids from his work study job. He just joined a softball team and plays flag football. Find things you enjoy and then join them or try them out.
So make it your mission to find a group and go to it. Your not going to make bff’s over night. Being in a sorority is only one type of group.
There are hundreds of student clubs and organizations and they are a great way to meet people. My son is junior and has joined a number of college oriented societies ; his roommate is pretty active in the ballroom dance club, others have joined singing and music clubs, etc. etc.
@michgirl22 - I hope you’re still reading replies to your original post! Sorry freshman rush didn’t work out for you. I would definitely look into Kappa Delta like @Need_Coffee suggested. That could be a good option! Aside from that though, the great thing about Michigan is that there are over 1500 clubs so pick at least a couple to get involved in whether you end up joining Kappa Delta or not so you expand your world. That can only help you socially! I’m sure there are intramural sports teams for almost any sport you might consider playing casually, theater groups, a cappella groups, radio station, community service groups, etc… You just have to go on line and look through them and get involved. Once you do, I bet your social life falls into place. Best of luck!!
With all the issues surrounding Greek life at UM now, I’d stay away completely. It has to be a nightmare for students right now. The competition between them has to be even worse this year since you now have certain ones supported by UM and ones that aren’t. After reading about all the issues- 30 er visits in one weekend, chaining each other together until they drink bottles of champagne, etc. I am so glad my freshman daughter is not considering Greek life. There are plenty of clubs to get involved in- so far my daughter’s favorite is Video Game music club. Sounds strange but she has met a lot of good people. I just don’t see the stress and all that partying to be worth risking such a good education.
@TooOld4School… I had to laugh… My daughter joined a square dancing group. This is really not her domain but when I asked why, she said it was great exercise and really a lot of fun! Its something she never saw herself doing. There are so many opportunities for these kids… To do something outside of their comfort zone and have fun.
Volunteering service such as Circle K or co-ed fraternities would be good options.
Intramural Sports and Snowboard Clubs tend to be very welcoming in my experience.
If you’re looking for a tight-knit community, you can try living in a CoOp.
Your dorm room is a good first step.
Personally, the people from my classes and office hours helped formed formidable relationships that helped me achieve my academic and career goals.
As time passes, you will realize that huge parties and greek life are just dramafests and overrated.
When you mature, a couple close friends who will last a lifetime is way better than a large group of acquaintances.