Not Another Greek Thread

<p>Yes, please bear with me because I'm gonna ask current Trojans (yet again) about USC greek life.</p>

<p>I'm an incoming transfer student (YAY), and I'll be a sophomore despite being junior-age since I took a year off. I am a social person and I love to party (within reason of course) and I'm told that social life at USC is dominated by greeks. However, I'm from a lower-class family by USC standards and the only way I'm even able to attend SC is through generous financial aid. Frat dues are really just not realistic for me. While I do have some of what you'd call "typical" qualities found in fraternity types, I also deviate a bit from them and find some aspects really silly. That being said, I think I'd be happy in the greek system and I'd really appreciate the camaraderie and connections involved as well.</p>

<p>I guess my question is, are frats necessary to have a good social life? Nothing against people that don't like to party, but that is a big part of the appeal of USC for me and I'd hate to be excluded from that lifestyle just because I'm not in a frat. Is it totally uncommon for potential Greeks to just not be able to realistically pay all the dues and fees involved, or are all greeks pretty well-off? Will the fact that I'm from a modest background set me apart from these people? For that matter, are transfer students/sophomore transfers often considered for frat membership or is it mainly freshmen? I'm sure I'll be able to have fun regardless, but I don't want to miss out on something that I genuinely think I'd enjoy.</p>

<p>99 percent of Greeks are upper class… if you want to party that much then go to ASU or Oregon State or another like minded school. USC is kind of nerdy.</p>

<p>As a Greek who definitely comes from a modest background and came in as a transfer, yes, it is possible. Some fraternities can be lenient with dues (like mine) and some may not. Just gonna have to talk to them about it. </p>

<p>But Greek isn’t required for a fun social life. Plenty of the living complexes have their own social scenes, as well as just about any club or organization you join. At the involvement fair in the beginning of the semester, you will see there are plenty of places to look for a social life.</p>