<p>Hey guys! I was accepted into Johns Hopkins University ED and will be attending in the fall.
I really want to join a sorority, for various reasons, but I have a few friends who are in sororities in other universities and have told me that the dues are pretty expensive.
My family is not doing too well with the financial situation, we don't really have money. I just got a job for the summer so I can save up some money for dues and other sorority expenses.
I was wondering if anyone can give me advice or information on how much dues would be, or if there's payment plans, or any information at all actually!</p>
<p>I dropped my sorority because of dues even though I could afford it. The fees add up and it’s up to you to see if it’s worth it.</p>
<p>You get a one-time activation/initiation fee and monthly payments. Mine was $86/month but I have heard that my campus has cheap monthly fees. How big is Greek life at your school?</p>
<p>Other than these fees, you have apparel to buy for all sorts of stuff. Letters, philanthropies, sisterhood events, big/lil week. These are all optional spending BUT I find that if you don’t take the time/money to participate in things, you’ll miss out on the sorority experience. A lot of things require money, too. Like rush week requires bigs to spend tons of money on their lil. Then there’s appreciation week. </p>
<p>Each sorority has their own financial advisor too. Usually they’re the ones that help with people with financial troubles. You can ask about that during rush week but idk if this will have a negative impact on you, as I know girls want to choose sisters who won’t drop for /any/ reason, even financial. Maybe rush and ask after? </p>
<p>Also, ask around about the sororities. I have a few sororities, specifically ADPi, that stresses on spoiling their little. My friend is in this and she was taken to Disneyland, treated out to all her dinners, gets amazing expensive gifts during little week. Obviously if you’re having financial difficulties, this wouldn’t be a sorority to choose LOL.</p>
<p>Honestly, the financial commitment will vary by campus. My chapter only allowed members to spend maximum $100 on their littles for big/little week. I lived in my chapter house so I spent ~$5000/year on room and board and $500/year on dues, but again, that varies by campus and by chapter. You will spend the most your first semester because you have to pay the one-time initiation fees and first semester parlor fees (think slightly cheaper dues), as well as buy your badge. In terms of the other stuff, it really depends on what you want to spend. You can spend hundreds if you want every piece of apparel offered and want to buy your own customized letters. But if you pick and choose, you can definitely spend less. My chapter also generally provided 2-3 shirts per year for recruitment and Bid Day, and then you could buy shirts/sweatshirts for homecoming, philanthropies, or other events.</p>
<p>Generally without a house, dues will be cheaper. But as I said, they do vary from chapter to chapter. Your dues help pay for things like free tshirts, recruitment, and socials. Formals aren’t funded out of thin air :)</p>
Thank you for your advice / information!</p>