<p>I am a senior in high school who was going to go to a small private college in Chicago, but decided to attend a large state school closer to home for financial reasons. I have a lot of high school friends who are also attending this university. For various reasons, however, I want to acquire a new group of friends when I get to college. I realize that it is certainly not my only option, but would joining a fraternity prove useful for this?
I generally study for two to four hours a day, and this is very important to me. I do not want to give this up. Yet, I feel I may have to alter my schedule significantly if I were to live in a frat house.</p>
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<li>By living in a standard dorm, would I encounter more difficulties in staying connected to the members?</li>
<li>Are there generally fraternities that do have a (somewhat) serious side concerning academics?</li>
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<p>Don't get me wrong, I enjoy partying a lot, but there are limits. One of my friends joined a frat and he drinks a little too much in my opinion. I don't want to even waste my time if every fraternity is filled with complete alcoholics, but then again, I do like the idea of having a good party on the weekend.</p>
<p>If you don’t mind messaging me what school your going to then I can find more information on every house. </p>
<p>You won’t have any difficulties staying connected when your living in a dorm because when you rush you will going to the house multiple times a week for the events and parties. During pledgeship, you will be going to the house for meetings and everything else. The brothers will also try to get in touch with you A LOT(well most houses try to) and you will be assigned to a Big Brother who will pretty much be your best friend(Brother-wise). You will also be told to be close with your Pledge class and they most likely will be living in dorms as well. Nothing really to worry about when it comes to staying connected. </p>
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<li>Every house is different. Some have great academics and some have average. When you go to every house during Rush you will notice that they “advertise” their strengths from athletics to academics, etc. Try to go to every house and see which house you like according to what your looking for. </li>
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<p>You have to remember that when your in a fraternity you really more or less drink at your own will. If you don’t like the brothers because of their drinking habits then don’t just judge them on that basis. Not every brother in a certain house drinks everyday and gets wasted. There are people who have high GPA’s because they time manage very well and maybe when they are done with everything they might drink.</p>