<p>I visited Emory and loved it. The education seems to be fantastic and the competitiveness is optimal (not too much but also not non-competitive). The campus was beautiful and I loved it but I had one concern... I heard that Fratetnities and Sororities are huuuuge on campus. That they completely dominated the social life and that if you aren't in one that its hard to find friends. The statistics say only around 30% of students are in Frats but I heard the more realistic number in 50%. Should I be concerned with the greek scene at Emory if I'm not going to be in a frat?</p>
<p>i'm going to emory and i wont be in a frat ;) haha</p>
<p>I had some of the same concerns as you have and I'll be going to Emory in the fall. I'm not really a frat person, so the frats were a concern for me, but I think that emory is a big enough place that you can find whatever social scene you want there. I think people definitely can have a social life without frats, or occasionally go to frat parties if they want. From what I've heard, there are many different types of frats, so even if the traditional frat isn't for you there are other options if you want. You just have to get there and find your niche and you'll be fine.</p>
<p>the number i've always heard was 30% of students. i've haven't heard 50. 30 is about average for most colleges and i have no intention to rush. i'm sure that there is a world outside of the frats and sororities because the majority (or half if we look at the worst) of students are like you. also, emory has defered rush meaning that they dont do it until the spring semester. this gives you a chance to make friends before anyone is thinking about greek life so i dont think that finding friends will be a problem.</p>
<p>First and foremost, come to Emory with an open mind about greek life. More than half the kids in my pledge clas came here without any intention of being in Greek Life. They ended up in a fraternity and love it. We have a Greek system very unlike what most people think of as typical. Each house is very different than the others and I almost everyone who is a part of a Greek chapter loves it.</p>
<p>That being said, it is certainly not the be all end all of your social experience here. Everyone has friends outside of their chapter, some who aren't part of Greek life, others who are in different chapters. There is a huge overlap. You certainly don't have to be in Greek life to go to parties and be invited to formals and date parties, etc. Even if you want nothing to do with the Greek system, there is still a huge part of the school that isn't a part of it. You will find people who are like minded, and that's perfectly cool with everyone. I would, however, encourage you to rush. Not only will you meet a ton of people, but I think that you'll be surprised what you will find in some of the houses. </p>
<p>Emory is 1/3 Greek at the start of the fall semester. That's where that statistic comes from.</p>
<p>Son will be a senior at Emory and he's always been very happy socially. He was never interested in joining a fraternity. Some of his friends did join a fraternity but it did not have any effect on his friendship with them. Anyone can go to a frat party--he has gone to a few over the years but they are not his thing. Those who do belong to fraternities generally do not let the frat dominate life on campus--there is too much else going on to cut yourself off that way. Do don't worry.</p>