<p>I am a prospective student and am curious about how fraternity life works at SMU. Several questions.
What years do memebers of a fraternity live in the house?
Although the campus is dry what does this mean for in house partying?
Is the fraternity experience at SMU similair to the typical "basement fraternity party" found at other colleges?
I'd love honest insight on what to expect because I've found it hard to find any information that isn't provided by the school. I really appreciate any responses.</p>
<p>Greek life is almost imperative at SMU. Most male members live in their sophomore year. They are strict on in house partying so it’s done more on an individual in-room basis if at all. Most parties are held at off campus houses, venues or at Boulevards. What do you mean by basement frat parties? </p>
<p>I must disagree with Osserpusser. While Greek life is popular at SMU, it is certainly not an imperative. About 65% of students at SMU aren’t Greek, so clearly the majority are getting a long just fine without it! </p>
<p>That being said, if you want to be Greek, SMU is a fun place to do it! The years that students live in houses can sometimes vary from chapter to chapter, but it’s often sophomore or junior year. SMU does have a dry campus, and organizations are required to register their off campus parties with the school. </p>
<p>Hi @PerunaLove - You’re correct - I should have explained this better. Greek life seems to me to dominate the social scene at SMU, but you can certainly thrive at SMU without it if it’s not your thing. There are terrific organizations, teams and councils to partake in. However, I assume you would agree that rush is highly selective for both males and females. If you want to be Greek, which the OP clearly may, it is very hard NOT to be accepted into the system, which definitely occurs.</p>
<p>From a mom, I agree with all said above.Fraternities have a great presence on campus during football games. You can attend parties/be invited during your first semester. After that- non-frat guys are not welcome to their parties. But there are tons of bars you can go to without being in a frat. My son is in a fraternity-has maintained great grades, and is having a blast. You really need time management! Take a lighter load second semester-pledging is not the most fun. It is very time consuming. With all that said, I am sure you can find a great group of friends without joining one. But most sorority girls prefer fraternity boys. </p>
<p>I look and look, and don’t see comments from the 65% non Greek population…any one out there? How do you see the social scene?</p>
<p>I’m part of the 65% of non-Greek students at SMU, and I disagree that Greek-life is “imperative,” but I hands-down agree that you can definitely thrive as a student without being Greek. When I came to SMU, I knew that Greek life wasn’t cut out for me. I thought about it a little more during my first semester (which is a great option since SMU has a deferred-rush system; everyone has a semester to think it through), but I stuck with my gut and did what I knew was best for me, and for me personally, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I have a ton of friends involved in Greek life and love it, yet I also have friends that are involved in it and wish that they weren’t… Socially, you can still have a blast at Greek functions if you’re Greek or not. Also, regardless of your Greek affiliation, there’s a ton of organizations that students can get involved with, and most of these organizations also have social events and provide great options to meet new people. Overall, SMU gives you the opportunity to think on it for an entire semester (or as much time as you want; you can rush in a later semester if you’d like), so my advice would be to come in with an open mind and do what feels right for you! </p>
<p>I agree with the comment above. I’m a senior and with four years experience think I have my two cents to add to this. When I came in my freshman year I was completely opposed to greek life, mostly because I didn’t know too much about it. But my second semester when a lot of my friends went through it, I grew curious about it and decided to go through rush my sophomore year. After going through rush as a sophomore, I knew what I was getting into and after thinking about the pros and cons about joining a fraternity and not joining one, I ultimately decided that for me, I was fine without joining one. I agree with the other commenters that there is a lot you can benefit from joining one, but you’ll be fine without joining one too.
My advice: If you’re not sure if you want to join one or not, go to their events, talk to sophomores and upperclassmen in the organizations that might interest you, and try and see if you can see yourself calling them your brothers. You can even go through rush and not take a bid if you’re not fully into it by that time. After going through it, I know I have no regrets but at least I gave it a fair shot and I have some of my closest friends throughout campus, both in and out of greek life. Overall, as long as you’re fun and outgoing you’ll find a group that fits you best.</p>
<p>Sorry to be so long winded, but to answer your other questions @Student20151015, members in a fraternity can live in the fraternity houses and it’s typically sophomore guys who live in them. Also, there’s off campus houses where guys typically will host there unofficial parties and there’s low key hanging out in the houses, but not too much like the “basement fraternity party” that you might expect from another university. If they’re hosting a huge party they’ll rent a venue and have busses take people to and from campus there. Hope that helps answer your questions. </p>