<p>I'm currently a freshman, and I just have a few quick questions on rush / frats. I highly appreciate all responses :)</p>
<p>How expensive are the housing / living fees for fraternities? Do they tend to be significantly cheaper than all / some of the other housing options? </p>
<p>How big of a time commitment is pledging? I had a pretty good first semester, but I have a busy second semester coming up. Also, if I do actually join a fraternity, I will probably join a lower-tier one. </p>
<p>Since you’re looking for an answer, I’ll try, but I’m not in a frat. I think cost depends. Generally I believe they are cheaper than dorms for sure, and probably comparable to apartments off-campus. Pledging depends on the fraternity. For some, it will be an arduous process, others it will be a good experience (most people I know usually described it as rough though). Rush is a great time to ask all these questions though when you visit the frats.</p>
<p>I’m in a sorority, but as far as $ goes, it’s pretty similar: Living in is drastically cheaper than dorms, and your food plan is MUCH cheaper than campus meals plans and probably eating off campus. However, there are also social dues on top of those (frats are generally higher than sororities since they buy all the alcohol). These costs will also depend on WHICH frat you join (since “higher tier” frats mix more often and spend more money on parties). So in all, cheaper than living on campus and probably comparable/if not cheaper than living in Ctown.</p>
<p>In regards to pledging… it’s hell. Mostly, its a huge time commitment, though for some its physically exhausting as well. I don’t know many guys in lower tier frats so I’m not sure how different it is, but for upper tiers, its pretty rough. Expect to do a LOT of cleaning, a lot of lineups, and spending a lot of time at the house. However, I don’t know a single guy who didn’t say it was worth it at the end.</p>
<p>I’m not in a fraternity, but I visited my brother at cornell and stayed in his fraternity house. I’m not gonna say which one for privacy reasons. Most of the pledges have to do all the work the brother’s don’t want to do: clean the dishes, vaccuum the house, clean the bathroom, etc.</p>
<p>Lineups refer to everyone standing in a line and doing some activity or event that usually forces team bonding.</p>
<p>They have your class schedule and always provide time to study.</p>
<p>Physically exhausting because there can be events that run very late and multiple events in a row</p>
<p>Only the brother’s know what the “events” are and they are very secretive about them, the only way to find out what they really are is to pledge</p>
<p>These frats are really big huh. I didn’t know it was going to be that much work. Do they party? And how big is their house? Sorry that I’m bombarding you with all these questions lol.</p>
<p>Of course they party, their fraternities! Some much more than others though. Partying can be at the house or at a house annex in collegetown (Apartment or house where upperclassmen brothers live).</p>
<p>Mixers with sororities are usually in college town, open parties are usually, but not always, at the frat house itself.</p>
<p>The houses are really nice, again, some more than others. Some are very modern and have hallways that look like dorm rooms, common rooms with pool tables, ping pong tables, tv’s, and most have a small library/study area. All frats have a small industrial kitchen and i’m not sure about all but most have chefs that set the meals for each house.</p>
<p>Edit: and remember, only 1/3 of people decide to go greek, so which ever way you end up going you’ll always still find things to do on campus</p>
<p>Cornell fraternity houses are amazing - some are really old and historic, some are newer. All look like fun. It’s a lot of groups to get to know, so rush second semester is a good idea.</p>