<p>I am trying to decide between USC and Berkeley. USC is already expensive and i have heard that sororities at USC are more expensive than at berkeley... does anyone know how much it costs to join a sorority at each school? and how much does it cost to live in a sorority house?</p>
<p>You shouldn't base your decision to join one sorority or another based on cost. You should base it on the reputation of the sorority and how much you like the girls in it. I'd venture to say that the sororities at USC are better than those at Berkeley, but I could be wrong.</p>
<p>i agree that i shouldn't choose a sorority based on the cost, but i have just heard that private schools in general have much more expensive dues, etc. and i want to know if this is true. i really want to join a sorority, so i want to make sure that i go to a school where i can afford it.</p>
<p>USC has the largest greek life west of the Mississippi. Sororities at USC are far superior to those at Berkeley. The girls at USC are prettier and the sorority will mean more to your social, academic, and professional life.</p>
<p>The sorority houses on the Berkeley campus are absolutely beautiful. I'm a member of a sorority on that campus, and it costs between 6-7,000 to live in the house each year. Most sororities are around the same, but a few are a bit more expensive. (1-2 in particular, that I know of for sure). I do not live in the cheapest house, but we have a relatively fair rent price.</p>
<p>And Sirwatson, I don't reallly know what you're talking about. My fellow sisters at USC (yeah, we have a chapter on the USC campus, and we have about the same number of members) will benefit just as much as my sisters at Berkeley socially, academically, and professionally. If you don't think the sorority girls up at Berkeley are on par with those at USC, then that is your own opinion. I'm almost positive that you don't have a very clear grasp on the notion of Greek life at Berkeley. If anything, we're less stereotpyical and more accepting - and by no means unattractive. I invite you to take a look...</p>
<p>Anyway, to the OP, I'm sure you will have a fabulous time at either universities. Greek life dominates at USC, but it also has an extremely influencial presence on the Berkeley campus. It really just depends on what you want. </p>
<p><3,</p>
<p>Izzie Bear</p>
<p>"and it costs between 6-7,000 to live in the house each year"</p>
<p>damn. must be mansions.</p>
<p>haahahaha funny.</p>
<p>someone who was a part of a USC sorority told me that it's cheaper than normal tuition to stay in a sorority. </p>
<p>I don't know what to believe.. Then again, I'm not even AT usc yet, but I want to join on my soph. year...is she right? Or have times drastically changed...</p>
<p>$6,000 to $7,000 may seemm like a lot, but what is it compared to the cost of living in a dorm? Isn't room and board at Berkeley something like $12,000?</p>
<p>"Isn't room and board at Berkeley something like $12,000?"</p>
<p>that's f***ed up.</p>
<p>At Clark Kerr (a double), I paid $12,600. The sorority is a steal, in my eyes. I'm sure at any California University, living in a greek house is a deal compared to outrageous dorm prices.</p>
<p>And yes, all of the sororities and most of the fraternities at Cal are indeed mansions. This is probably the same at USC, and many other universities.</p>
<p><3,</p>
<p>Izzie Bear</p>
<p>Oh, and to the person who was talking about joining a sorority sophmore year, while this may be just fine at Berkeley, I have heard that at USC, being anything but a freshmen can and has significantly lowered girls' chances of getting into their 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice houses. Think Southern Rush process. I would rush first year if possible. You can't live in (unless you break contract your second semester, but that can get pricey), but you can still be a part of the sorority and then move in your sophmore year.</p>
<p><3,</p>
<p>Izzie Bear</p>
<p>does the cost of living in a sorority house, someone said about $7,000, include dues, utilities, and food?? because if it does then that would actually save me a lot of money. my parents acted like joining a sorority would be really expensive, but if housing at berkeley is around $12,000 a year then it sounds like i would be saving money by living on the row.</p>
<p>yes, it does include all of those things - food prepared by house chef, cleaning services, use of all amenities in the house (study rooms, recreation items, tanning roof [if you're lucky like me] ), etc. it also covers you for all the social events (like invitationals - which are less formal, themed 'dances' located at reserved hotels and restaurants in san francisco), which usually iclude charter busses, dj, dance space, bar/food.</p>
<p>it's actually quite a deal when you think about it. most people (like parents) worry that it is going to cost a bundle. Living in the sorority saves people like me (soon to be ex-dormer) about $5000+ for the year. </p>
<p><3,</p>
<p>Izzie Bear</p>
<p>
[quote]
USC has the largest greek life west of the Mississippi.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>what a joke</p>
<p>lol, I actually have to doubt that too. The frat life is certainly a major player here, but it's definitely an overstatement to say that.</p>
<p>Yeah - Largest Greek life? Certainly Not.</p>
<p>Taken from: <a href="http://www.uscifc.com/%5B/url%5D">http://www.uscifc.com/</a></p>
<p>The fraternity and sorority community at USC exemplifies what Greek Organizations should be. With 17 fraternities and 10 sororities, boasting membership over 2,650, our Greek Community has established itself as one of the most diverse, exciting, and well respected systems in the country.</p>
<p>Taken from: <a href="http://www.calgreeks.com/faq.php%5B/url%5D">http://www.calgreeks.com/faq.php</a></p>
<p>The University of California , Berkeley is currently home to 65 fraternities and sororities, with a membership around 3,000 students, approximately 12% of all undergraduate students. Our Greek Community is incredibly diverse, offering membership in four different types of Greek organizations: 12 Panhellenic sororities, 36 IFC fraternities, 9 National Pan-Hellenic fraternities and sororities, and 8 Cultural fraternities and sororities. Panhellenic sororities and IFC fraternities are general Greek letter organizations. National Pan-Hellenic fraternities and sororities are traditionally African American Greek letter organizations. Cultural fraternities and sororities are Greek letter organizations based around a particular culture or religion (Asian, Latino, Multicultural, Christian and Jewish).</p>
<p>Sorry...Wrong</p>
<p>no i have heard that greek life is definately bigger at USC. berkeley has a much larger student body, so naturally they have more sororities and fraternities. but a much higher precentage of students are involved in greek life at USC. Here are the stats from collegeboard:
USC:</p>
<h1>Percent of men who join fraternities: 16%</h1>
<h1>Percent of women who join sororities: 20%</h1>
<p>Berkeley:</p>
<h1>Percent of men who join fraternities: 10%</h1>
<h1>Percent of women who join sororities: 10%</h1>
<p>Well, thank you for clarifying. Largest Greek Life (to me, anyway) = Highest number of Greek houses.</p>
<p>In the end, it sort of evens out. 10% of 30,000 students is still a dominant presence.</p>
<p>One thing I found at 'SC - if you're greek, you mainly stick to other greeks. While USC fraternity and sorority life is big and flourishing, the social scene outside of the greek community is pretty dull, for the most part.</p>
<p>At Cal, there are several social scenes. There's the first extreme: found within the greek community, and the second extreme: found at the co-ops (or as some call it, gronola greek row). Both are equally influencial on the environment at the university. Of course, there are several social scenes that fall somewhere in between. Hosts at both greek and non-greek events are pretty cool about letting you feel welcome at their public parties and functions. It really just depends what you're into and the atmosphere you desire.</p>
<p><3,</p>
<p>Izzie Bear</p>
<p>thanks for your help... none of this has made my decision any easier tho haha. every day i change my mind between usc and ucb. i honestly dont know which one i would like better, even with all everyone has said. oh well i have a month to decide</p>