<p>Here are my thoughts on rushing/going Greek:</p>
<p>I am going to a very Greek school. I think 22% of the school is Greek, but there are a lot of graduate schools so I'm sure when you look at it, a larger percentage of undergrads are Greek - girls especially. I don't consider myself to be a sorority girl type by any means, but like some other people here I had to at least consider it because it is the main source of social life on campus.</p>
<p>After some thought and discussion with friends, I decided to hold off rushing until sophomore year. I don't have anything against Greeks at all. Hopefully I will go to some Greek parties and make both Greek and independent friends. But recruitment at my school costs upward of $250 - that's just rushing, not all the clothes you have to buy and then of course the dues if you decide to pledge. I don't know if this is average, but I definitely understand why people say going Greek is buying yourself some friends. I'm not saying that's what it is, but its definitely expensive, at least at my school.</p>
<p>Freshman year is going to be so intense, getting used to living on campus and college classes. I am going to get involved in a few different organizations, and I just don't want to overload myself. By my sophomore year I will be more used to my college and I will have a feel for what the Greek scene is like and what the different sororities are like - and I can go from there about whether I want to spend the time and money to pledge. A lot of people have told me this is a smart idea, and I'm really comfortable with my choice. Besides, I am outgoing and good at making friends, and I'm living in a Freshman Interest Group where you take two of the same classes with the people on your floor, so I think I will definitely be able to hold my own on the social front!</p>
<p>rush to meet people. even if you have no intention of joining a greek org. its just a great way to meet people. and who knows, you might find an org you like and fit in with.</p>
<p>and btw herecomesthe sun, 22% greek is not a "very Greek school". its pretty average
and $250 is very high. Ours was $30</p>
<p>Clemsonbo, I'm not so sure about that. I know that in the south being Greek is very important, but the SEC and southern ACC schools are all pretty big:</p>
<p>First off, Clemson's Greek Life office says that just 20% of your student population is Greek.</p>
<p>Other schools I could find info on:
Alabama: 22.8% Greek
Ole Miss: >35% (couldn't find an exact number)
Vandy: 42%
Florida: ~15%
Tennesee: 15%
FSU:14%
UGa: 22%
UVA: 30%
South Carolina: 16%
Couldn't find easily for Auburn, LSU or NCState</p>
<p>I think going greek depends on the campus. At my school its something like 30% males and 40 % females, so the social life revolves around it. If you are a social person and like to know alot of people in college and have close friends that you go out with alot, etc. You will want to go greek as long as your campus is at least 20-25% Greek. If it's any less than that than a significant portion of the campus population isn't greek and the social scene doesn't revolve around it as much. The other benefits will be there no matter how big the greek scene is on campus i.e. being more connected to the student body, getting advice from older guys, having a house to maintain with your close friends, planning social events, rushing younger guys etc.</p>
<p>listen, just because a third of your campus is greek, doesnt mean that the social scene revolves around greek life. Alot of campuses have greek orgs taht are less all encompassing and more of another club you do kinda thing, all be it a special club. Frats and sororities are about more than just parties.</p>
<p>we had delayed rush, which is really nice. if you have delayed rush, then definately rush your freshman year, if not...it might not be a bad idea to rush as a sophomore other than the fact that some sororities have a quota on how many sophomores that will take each year</p>
<p>"i honestly hope that yall dont make yalls decisions regarding fraternities or sororities based on heresay on a message board or stereotypes."</p>
<p>Then go on to say:</p>
<p>"first off, TKE is not a good fraternity by any means... in fact they are the laughing stock of the greek world, they are by no means exclusive...In the end pledge the fraternity that you want to, as long as its not TKE... "If you cant go greek go Teke"</p>
<p>and </p>
<p>"TKE is so sucky because they are at every school and hand bids out and every pledge gets initiated... they are not exclusive at all, they hold no prestige... tekes are usually super dorky guys that couldnt get a bid from a good fraternity if they tried, at clemson a typical tke wears black jean shorts and has a goatee"</p>
<p>My, how hypocritical. </p>
<p>Sounds like you are really living up to that Phi Delt Cardinal Principle of "moral rectitude". How does it feel to disparage someone else as the only means to make yourself look good? Exclusivity? Prestige? Please, spare me. </p>
<p>You aren't promoting the Greek system anywhere -- especially not at Clemson -- with that kind of trash.</p>
<p>The truth is that every frat/sorority varies by chapter. At my school, TKE isnt very popular, but Pi Kap is. At my friends school, other frats are big and more active than other. Pledge the particluar chapter you like and dont worry about national reputation as much, but I would only pledge a national frat/sorority</p>
<p>Oh yes, that old upper Quad "prestige". I forgot that the true measure of a quality fraternity at Clemson is the location of their house in the Quad compared to all the other fraternities.</p>
<p>flgirl04 - You are absolutely right, that's part of my point. You can't promote Greek Life (the original question in this thread) when you disparage others. Who wants to be a part of that?</p>
<p>TKE is one of the bigger/better frats down here, I'm def rushing it...its kinda hard to get a *<strong><em>ing bid though...I sorta *</em></strong>ed off two brothers in Beta without meaning to do so, so I cant get a bid there (100% rule)</p>
<p>clemsontke-fraternity heiarchies will always, no matter how hard you try to discourage them, be a part of Greek Life, especially at BIG Greek Life schools such as those in the SEC (Bama, Ole Miss, LSU, Florida, Clemson, etc). They definitely exist, though the disparagement isn't as pronounced, at my school (Michigan), but if someone asks about a certain fraternity, someone in the Greek system will almost immediately be able to answer "they're awesome-best girls, parties, etc," "they are douchebags," "they suck-boring parties, no soririties, sketchy guys," etc etc. So, instead of b*tching about it, do things to change your chapter-work on rushing good guys, start making connections with sororities, think of fun, creative parties. By doing nothing but complaining about other people making fun of your house, you are further weakening your fraternity's national reputation (believe me, it isn't good...), so I guess my advice is to work hard within your house and prove everyone that you guys don't suck.</p>