<p>Here at Ohio State, we're on the quarter system, and classes for the autumn quarter start tomorrow. As a result, the Greek system seems to have moved the rush period for freshmen to the winter quarter.</p>
<p>On Monday night, I went to a party at Sammy (Sigma Alpha Mu) here at Ohio State, which is allegedly the largest fraternity house in the nation. I arrived a bit early so I could talk to the brothers, and all of them were friendly and I got along great. One of the brothers suggested that I formally rush now (with the transfer students and upperclassmen) so that I have better odds of getting in (due to smaller pledge class). I really like Sammy, but I feel like I should check out some other fraternities first (I'm looking at Alpha Epsilon Pi and Phi Delta Theta) before committing to Sammy and rushing/pledging early. Do you guys think it would be smarter for me to hold off and rush with the rest of the freshmen or rush now?</p>
<p>Anyway, reasons I seem to think Sammy is a good fit:
- About half of the fraternity is from New York, like me. It's a common culture.
- It's a traditionally Jewish fraternity, so there are quite a few Jewish members, including a Hillel officer, who invited me along to a BBQ today, which was cool.
- The brothers were friendly and welcoming and none of them seemed like potential ******bags or jersey shore types.
- I joined a marketing club, and one of its officers (who I met at the student organization fair) is also a Sammy, so it seems like most of my social life so far is coming back to Sammy.
- It seems to have a good reputation on campus.</p>
<p>The things that I am a bit worried about are the fact that Sammy may seem to party too hard, if that's possible. Also, their house, as intimidatingly gigantic as it is, seems likes it has seen its fair share of parties, if you know what I mean. I think there could be more comfortable houses out there.</p>
<p>It seems like you still have your doubts, but it also appears that they really want you. If I were you, I’d kindly tell them that it’s a huge decision which preferably requires a little more time for consideration.</p>
<p>After all, it won’t make much of a difference by the time freshmen rush comes. Don’t do it unless you are almost absolutely sure.</p>
<p>I’d rush right away to get it out of the way because it will be harder later on when you are taking harder classes. Also you may want to take a lighter courseload during your pledge semester but that’s up to you to know if you can handle it or not. </p>
<p>I have no advice as to whether or not you should rush now or during freshmen rush. I know that if I were a frosh pledge I would want to rush with other freshmen because you bond and grow up with your own pledge class and to do that for the next 4 years is an experience.</p>
<p>Sammy is a pre med fraternity, FYI. You join because of the people in it, and nothing else. If you join for any reason other than liking the members, you won’t enjoy it. I joined only because I clicked with the current sisters. I know people who joined for stupid reasons, and ended up hating it and deactivating.</p>
<p>So today I went to a BBQ at Delta Phi Theta, dinner with Alpha Epsilon Pi. I am going to a Sigma Chi party tomorrow and then an AEPi party on friday. I also stopped by Psi Kappa Phi and they seemed really cool. I’m surprised how open and friendly all of the fraternity brothers are and it isn’t even freshmen rush season here. All of the above had more comfortable/nicer houses than Sammy. Sammy makes Omega from Animal House look like the Newport Yacht Club.</p>
<p>^
No reason to get snippy about it. At my school everyone in Sammy is pre med, mistakes happen. The OP calles Phi Psi Psi Kappa Phi, yet you aren’t lashing out at him. No reason to release all your pent up anger about life on something so trivial and unimportant. Granted, it’s barely big enough to have recognition, but it’s known as the pre med fraternity, not the Jewish one. I wouldn’t want to join an organization that is only one ethnicity/race/etc, that limits your ability to socialize with a more diverse group.</p>
<p>Don’t be that shallow person who picks a fraternity based on their house. I would say the fraternities I like most at my school do not have traditional houses (converted dorms). We don’t have a traditional house, yet we were among the top requested sororities, and had arguably the best recruitment class. The most popular fraternities here don’t have the nicest houses. Popular as in most desired by male students. Base your decision only on the current members, or it will not work out.</p>
<p>That may be true at your school, but in general fraternities of the same chapter vary a lot in personality and stereotypes from school to school. But Sammy was originally established as a Jewish frat (at least, according to Wikipedia).</p>
<p>Also, Phi Psi is a nickname for Phi Kappa Psi, in the same way that Pi Beta Phi and Sigma Phi Epsilon are sometimes referred to as Pi Phi and SigEp.</p>
<p>ALPHA EPSILON PI at UCD is the best frat ever. Last year, I was a junior and it was second semester. I didn’t even know anybody there but i just walked up to a group of good looking girls and guys and started talking to them. They shared white vine STRAIGHT from the bottle and a **** load of kettle popcorn. Everyone was so nice that they even asked me if I wanted to hang out with them later in the night. I don’t know about you, but AEPi was certainly the best frat ever I have ever been to. It actually is the only frat I’ve ever been to hahaha but if i were a BRO, i’d rush for it.</p>