<p>I have to disagree with SSobick's assesments of the fraternities. It appears to me that he is mearly listing the best fraternities as the ones that have the most members. That is not true at all. Sure sig ep pi kap phi beta theta pie and a few others are the most popular but that does not make them any better then some of the other smaller ones. You should go to rus with an open mi nd and just figure out which fraternity you fit in the most with. Also with regards to ATO some of my friends were pledging this semester and I hear some horror stories about the pit in there backyard. Also things to note. Pi kappa Phi is one of the hardest pledge semesters. Beta theta pie for being a bigger fraternity has a relatively easier pledge semester.</p>
<p>I don't know but the stories I have heard from first hand accounts and from friends in frats have been more than just sleep deprivation and humiliation. Some include using cow teasers, scrubbing floor with knucks until their bloody, sleep dep (for a week, which can be life threating), power hour.</p>
<p>Okay that whole line: "Oh well were smaller, and we actually know all of our brothers is just an excuse for not being able to recruit quality kids."</p>
<p>If you want connections then Bigger Is Better...</p>
<p>Based on my experience with frats I think SSobick is dead on when it comes to that. I'm gonna narrow it down to SigEp, Sigma Chi, Beta, PiKapp and Phi Delt. </p>
<p>What do you guys mean by "tough pledge semester"?</p>
<p>Pi Kapp is very hard core. If you get Sig Ep or Sigma Chi I would take it over this fraternity. But keep in perspective that Pi Kapp is a quality fraternity. Has some of the strongest brotherhood.</p>
<p>mr bateman,
if you are most concerned about connections for ---and bettering your ---future i suggest you to reflect on respect for the education process. i am not a stick in the mud. but i think you have some mixed messages/questions looking for the best party and chicks (which many would an offensive term for girls) doesnt translate into an alumni connection that helps you prosper</p>
<p>What is interesting to me, is that I've never heard any fraternity members talk bad about other fraternities. Between my sons and their friends, many of the aforementioned fraternities are represented (the good ones as well as the "crappy" ones). Never have I heard anyone ranking or badmouthing other fraternities. I told S about this thread- the 'best' and the 'worst'- his response? "I'd bet that person is not in a fraternity." Is it true that greeks have this unspoken trust- they don't badmouth each other? S seemed to think the whole thing is uncool.</p>
<p>I agree blueskymom. The best thing you can do for your future is have a solid academic record, good connections with faculty, high-quality job experience/internships, and did I mention academics? Other than that, enjoy you college years- but do not expect a fraternity, any fraternity, to make up for lackluster academic performance. If you can maintain high academics and belong to a fraternity- go for it. But if belonging to a fraternity causes you to take a hit in the grades department, it's not worth it.</p>
<p>Fraternity life is a secondary priority to me. Academics come first. I don't think they're mutually exclusive if you have some disicpline. </p>
<p>Frankly, I'm not interested in whether or not "chicks" is offensive. I'm just looking to have a good time.</p>
<p>SSobick, what do you mean its "hardcore"?</p>
<p>Doubleplay,</p>
<p>Your right I wasn't Greek, I was in the SGA. FYI: I am a brother in the mother of all fraternities. </p>
<p>My closest friends & roomates at UF were in Sig Ep. I was just giving my impressions... Take it or leave it.</p>
<p>Besides your a Tarheel, it's hard for you to understand I am sure...</p>
<hr>
<p>Hardcore = Use your imagination....</p>
<p>My husband and my TWO sons are Gators, and I myself was born and raised in Florida- third generation, although I did go to UNC...
I am VERY MUCH a Gator fan. I think that I might even bleed a little orange on top of that blue.
I love the Heels, but I also love the Gators!
It's hard to NOT be a Gator, isn't it...?
Go Gators!</p>
<p>mr bateman,
i was trying nicely to point out tht you were beng rude. i see in your response you dont care. fair enough. however i assure you in life that being smug and not taking responsibility when you have offended someone is not a btw key for success .i work for a ceo of a major leverage buyout firm , a uf alum, i sure hope you ae not a business major as I can auure you if your name is sean bateman you wont be getting a job here. good luck with your parties and antics...</p>
<p>With all due respect blueskymom, I could make an effort to speak formally on a casual college forum, but life is too short to conform to political correctness so as to please people so insecure that they're offended by the word "chick". My comments have been nethier misogynist nor sexist. More offensive and rude than anything I may have said is your borderline threat to use your influence to deny me a job over my innocuous comments. That just shouts "I like abusing my power in a desperate attempt to attain the respect I never had in my youth." Quite sad...</p>
<p>Ok, first things first, join SigEp or SAE. Ryan Mosely, the current Student Body President is in that fraternity so you can see somewhat what the networking can do for you. </p>
<p>In regards to the whole ATO hazing scandal. The allegations are measly compared to what the minority organizations make you do when you pledge. So all of that is being taken out of proportion. If you want to be Greek, it sometimes takes work and effort. Some fraternities are just much harder to get into and has a harder process but its much more rewarding in the end because it makes you realize how you really earned it. So let's not get into that because hazing is certainly not what it used to be 5-10 years ago.</p>
<p>I think hazing is like an indespensible part of the experience. Sure there are horror stories of people being forced to drink to death and whatnot, and that needs to stop, but I hear UF's been particularly harsh when it comes to inncuous offenses.</p>
<p>mr bateman,
this is a public forum with women men parents teens alum etc..this is not a private facebook arena. I am sure you are fine young man and has worked hard to gain entrance into UF. Congrats. I was trying to warn you that when you apply for a job the fact is ---esp. in this climate post enron---ethics and character play a huge role.</p>
<p>I recognize that, as well as the fact that this is as far from a job application/scouting convention as one can get. That being said, thank you for your concern.</p>
<p>SSobick what you fail to realize is that although a chapter may be small at UF. The chapter nationally may be one of the biggest. When you join a fraternity you are not just networking with the kids in your chapter but also every brother nationally that is in your fraternity.
Also on another note, Pi kappa phi is a real intense pledge process but is probably toned down after some recent trouble
Sig ep beta theta pie, sigma chi, phi delta theta are some of the otehr popular fraternities to look into if you are indeed looking for a big fraternity.</p>
<p>Twista,</p>
<p>If a football player is a blue-chip prospect then he will just naturally want to play for a top tier football team. Why would one of the top prospects want to play for a squad that is just average? Playing time is great, but Prestige is the more important factor to the truly excellent player.</p>
<p>The same can be said for a quality guy who want to plege a fraternity. Why be the bad a$$ in a group of medicore brothers, when that same guy can associated with peers that are equivalent to him.</p>
<p>I don't mean to sound like a jerk, but I just call it like I see it. </p>
<p>No matter what anyone says: The smaller fraternities have a fewer number of brothers for a reason. The whole line "well we keep our numbers small, so that we are a closer knit group" is a myth. Year-in and Year-out the smaller fraternities will pull in 1 or 2 quality guys, however the larger fraternities are the better experience over the less established houses.</p>
<p>Based on my experience SSobick is right on this. Out of curiosity SSobick, what do you define as a "quality guy"? I notice that lots of people in the bottom tier frats are socially awkward, less attractive (by choice much of the time), and less confident.</p>
<p>Did I miss something?</p>