<p>How are the sororities? Do any of them have particular reputations? Is partying a priority? Do members interact with the general student body or stay to themselves? Does membership take a lot of time? Do members have to live on sorority floors or do they often live elsewhere?</p>
<p>I posted in the other forum about this but I’ll go into a bit more detail.</p>
<p>The sororities do a lot of fund raising and they do have a lot of events. They do mainly stick to themselves though. Partying is a priority, no matter what anyone says. Membership takes TONS of time and money. If you miss chapter you do get in trouble and you need to attend events. My one friend is pretty much not allowed to do anything without her sisters. </p>
<p>Members usually live on Sorority floors the year after they are initiated. They are allowed to live elsewhere, like in Brottier, but for the most part they live in Towers. You cannot have houses in Pittsburgh as it is considered a brothel.</p>
<p>As for reputations, most of them do. One is known to be very selective ONLY on looks and money. Another is considered the “ugly girls” sorority (not true, there are some very lovely ladies in it). Another is known for their drinking and the rest are pretty much a little of everything. The fraternities are worse though, as recently a boy died because of the drug problem in the fraternity. </p>
<p>I can’t speak from real personal experience as I chose not to be a part of greek life but from my friends that are in it, they really do not like it. Some love it, but a lot of people really feel pressured by it. My roommate freshman year is in one now, and she says that the girls all hate each other, but they have to live together and are forced to pretend they love each other. Another girl who is in theater had to choose between her role in the play and chapter, as she would get kicked out if she missed either.</p>
<p>As I said above, I do not have personal experience with greek life. Also I know only of three sororities, so I cannot speak for all. Some people really enjoy greek life, but personally I could not justify the costs of being a part of one.</p>
<p>Saatia: </p>
<p>Can you disclose names of sororities with the particular reputations, or ask someone else to register on CC to tell us? Do you know what the cost of dues is? Their web sites suggest that they are very supportive of their members’ grades etc., so it’s distressing to hear that they don’t encourage the sisters to pursue activities that could help their GPA and resumes. For ex., what happens if a class has a study group on a night where a sorority is having a meeting? Wouldn’t they recognize that the class has priority? Geez, it might be like having 45 Mothers watching your behavior instead of 1 Mother who you could tell to MYOB.</p>
<p>My older kids had some friends at Duq that went Greek who have said it was great. They have encouraged D to consider their sororities. D didn’t have sisters, and thinks that a sisterhood sounds cool. It’s scary though, to think that she might decide to go blind into a group with a preexisting reputation. (I’m also worried about hazing, based on what I heard about Greek from 30+ years ago.)</p>
<p>I don’t think you can get around reputations. It’s probably everywhere. The thing that would really bother me is if a girl was obligated to the sorority on most evenings, pressured to party on weekends and ostrasized if she had other friends and interests. That’s just too manipulative for me. Still, I have heard of many girls who like the groups, so maybe it’s just important that you “fit” into the prevailing culture of the particular sorority.</p>
<p>Sorry I won’t disclose names publicly. As for dues I’m not quite sure, and it depends on which sorority/fraternity you are in. I think my one friend’s was about 700 a semester for slightly better living accommodations.</p>
<p>Every time I’ve had a study group with someone in greek life they have said they could NOT do it that night, so I think it is important that they are there.</p>
<p>I didn’t have any sisters either, but I have my roommates who are all girls. Similar, except you don’t pay to have friends.</p>
<p>Hey, thanks for your input saatia. My daughter has pretty much decided to let the greek thing go for now. I’m guessing that she could join later on if she changes her mind?</p>
<p>I believe she can :)</p>