<p>OK, I started out not ever being able to imagine my daughter having any interest in sororities. She is not a partier, doesn't like to be around partiers (drinkers), is not into fashion...is actually very turned off by the idea of wearing designer or label things, and would not be interested in high heels, and mani-pedis. This doesn't seem like someone who I would imagine pledging a sorority....based on what I acknowledge is a very limited information about sororities...but those stereotypes come from somewhere.
I would, however, love for her to find a group of girls to be besties with and form possible life-long friendships.
I have read there are a couple different types of sororities (haven't quite figured them out yet) and that some may be more based on academics, and I start to think that maybe just maybe there would be one that would fit my D, and then I run into something like this article about how hazing is much worse in sororities than many realize: Sorority</a> Hazing: What's Really Going On | Her Campus
and I am once again convinced that sororities are a no go for her.</p>
<p>I have seen some schools that have things like eating clubs or something, perhaps those would be a better fit??</p>
<p>It depends on the college. At some schools, a sorority is exactly what you think it will be. However, at other schools it really depends on the sorority. I know at William and Mary there are 9 sororities and each one has a different personality and very different girls. It depends on what your daughter wants. She should absolutely give it a try and rush.</p>
<p>To be honest, I think you’re over analyzing this. Just make sure the schools you look at aren’t completely dominated by greek life, which often means your daughter’s social life will be severely restrained if she doesn’t go greek. Other than that, your daughter will decide when she gets to campus whether greek life is right for her. </p>
<p>Some sororities are wild and crazy, others are totally devoted to community service, others have a more restrained party scene, etc. When your daughter gets to campus she can decide which sorority best fits her IF she decides to go through rush. If not, don’t worry about it. She can still have a rich and fulfilling social life without joining a greek organization.</p>
<p>There cannot be one for everyone, since approximately half of the population is excluded from sororities (though they can join fraternities).</p>
<p>Beyond that, remember that a large percentage of eligible college students do not join sororities (or fraternities), so it is not like joining such organizations should be considered mandatory for a college student, though she may want to think twice about attending a college where a very large percentage of eligible students do join them, perhaps resulting in a very sorority (or fraternity) centric social life.</p>
<p>There are organizations with Greek letter names that are mainly academic focused organizations, honor societies, or service organizations. These are usually co-ed.</p>
<p>I do think it depends on the school. I didn’t expect that my D would be a “sorority type”, but she fully intends to pledge next fall (her college does not allow students to pledge for frats or sororities until their soph. year). She found a sorority at her college which has a group of low key girls (she knows a lot of them already from clubs she is involved with) and they do a ton of community service work which is something she enjoys. This is definitely not a (her words) “Legally Blonde sorority”. I think it will be a great experience for her.</p>
<p>But you don’t need to be in a sorority to develop close knit friendships. It can be done through dorm life, clubs, etc. It is important to figure out the landscape at each college and make decisions accordingly.</p>
<p>There are many ways to develop friendships in college. It sounds to me as though your d would be much more interested in finding a common interest with others and perhaps joining a club centered around that interest. </p>
<p>Your daughter might also want to consider a living/learning community. My D was in the Substance Free housing community her first year and really enjoyed it. Her hall mates tended to be on the studious side most of the time, but at dinner time they would walk down the hall gathering up other girls to go to dinner with. My D would have continued substance free the next year but didn’t win a spot in the lottery. Many colleges offer such housing centered around leadership, the environment or a particular foreign language.</p>
<p>Thank you. Yes, when hen, I am sure I probably am over analyzing…it’s sort of a hobby of mine lol.<br>
I am interested in learning more about the living/ learning communities, and agree the best plan is probably to try to avoid schools that are dominated by the Greek system ( I think that’s part of the problem…I want to find a place in the south, near home, that doesn’t fit the typical southern school description) and then she will, of course, decide for herself if one of the sororities that is on campus is a good fit for her.</p>
<p>I think by definition most of us are “over analyzing” by participating here so you fit right in There ought to be a definitive guide to greek systems on campuses around the country. I know Fiske (?) gives some info but its not comprehensive. By stumbling onto insider info I’ve been able to eliminate a school or two from our list based on rather dubious practices and cultures in the greek communities but its not always readily available information. Again, anyone care to write a book or provide a reference to one?</p>
<p>I went to college in the late 70s and early 80s to a college with an active Greek scene. I didn’t join, but some of my friends did. Didn’t matter. I made many good friends during college, several of which I am still close to after all these years - some of them in sororities, some not. Like others said, as long as it isn’t a place where so many kids go Greek that you’re left out of things if you don’t … it doesn’t matter. She’ll have plenty of opportunities to build relationships in other ways.</p>
lol.<br>
There ought to be a definitive guide to greek systems on campuses around the country. I know Fiske (?) gives some info but its not comprehensive. By stumbling onto insider info I’ve been able to eliminate a school or two from our list based on rather dubious practices and cultures in the greek communities but its not always readily available information. Again, anyone care to write a book or provide a reference to one?</p>