<p>Hi I'm a Freshman admit for this fall. I'm considering joining a frat and wanted to know the different ones out there? Also are frats difficult to get into? Whats the initiation/hazing like? Whats the time comittment necessary to be in one? Is it difficult to get into parties if you are not in one? Thanks</p>
<p>Bump!!!</p>
<p>Short version:
There are social fraternities (the ones with houses, they party) and fraternities for specific groups (Latino, Asian, law, business, etc.). You seem to be interested in social fraternities. During fall, you go through rush, where you visit each house and get a feel for it. If the guys like you, they will give you a bid (an invitation to join the house). You can accept or hold the bid (meaning that you can accept/decline later). Once you accept the bid, you begin your quarter of pledging. Time commitment during pledge quarter is what you make it. There are (generally speaking) few mandatory events, but you’ll want to participate in the non-mandatory events. If you’re a guy and not in a fraternity, you won’t party much. Feel free to PM me with specific questions.</p>
<p>I like how the guy above me is clearly in a frat, and jumped over the hazing part. I mean, at least he didn’t lie and say there isn’t any. </p>
<p>Basically what he said is true, except one part.
“If you’re a guy and not in a fraternity, you won’t party much.”</p>
<p>The greek system is an outlet for people who can’t find social interaction elsewhere. If you are a naturally social person you’ll end up meeting plenty of people by the time classes start and you’ll get invites to real parties.</p>
<p>Hazing: it happens, but there are definitely houses that don’t do it. The people regulating the Greek system are under a lot of pressure from the university to make sure that hazing is not out of control because it would ruin the UCLA name. As a result, hazing is much less severe than it would be at any other school (trust me it’s worse at other schools). You don’t have to do any embarrassing public stunts or go on super crazy missions or whatever other ridiculous stuff you see on TV or in movies.</p>
<p>“If you’re a guy and not in a fraternity, you won’t party much.”</p>
<p>This was more of a generalization and I’m sure there are some guys that are able to party outside of fraternities, but for the most part that isn’t the case. Straight up, it’s just harder for guys than girls to get into parties.</p>
<p>Let me make this clear, I’m not trying to sell you on the Greek system or downplay anything because your decision to join or not does not affect me one bit. Just trying to put the truth out there.</p>
<p>I like how anotherucla is clearly antifraternity and accusing someone else of being in a fraternity. Obviously there could be hazing, but there are houses that are historically known not to haze. It’s just a lot of time commitment when you pledge and after that quarter everything becomes less severe.</p>
<p>“The greek system is an outlet for people who can’t find social interaction elsewhere.”</p>
<p>This just makes you sound bitter. At least TRY to be more informational than emotional.</p>
<p>You definitely do not need to join a frat to party if that’s your thing. I actually prefer apartment parties to frat parties.</p>
<p>With that said, there’s no harm in checking out the frats during rush week. However, I highly recommend rushing in spring quarter unless you do not want to meet other people/hang with your floor. Pledging DOES take a lot of time, from watching my friends who did pledge, and pledging in Spring allows you time to adjust to college, see if frat life is for you, and make close friendships with people on your floor.</p>
<p>Sorry, I don’t really have any reason to be bitter about the greek system, just trying to help new people. Many incoming students get dishonest information about groups, especially frats, in order to get them to join. </p>
<p>“If you’re a guy and not in a fraternity, you won’t party much.”</p>
<p>is a big one. There’s a reason frats don’t want guys to come in. Most people learn this very quickly. </p>
<p>“The greek system is an outlet for people who can’t find social interaction elsewhere.”</p>
<p>Ok, i’ll try to be more informational. If you want social interaction, and you are a social individual, you can find it easily. Frats are attractive to people who don’t have either. Don’t feel pressured into a frat because you think you won’t find people elsewhere.</p>
<p>^Ya, I’ll back you up on that. In a school of 24k+ students, it is definitely possible to find your niche. I am pretty sure most people know this though. </p>
<p>Like it was mentioned before, you don’t have to feel pressured to join a fraternity. If it doesn’t feel right for you, obviously think it over and make an informed decision. I have gotten numerous bids to join fraternities and never felt like they pressured me any more than a verbal nudge or two. </p>
<p>As for the partying comment, I think that should be revised and said more along the lines of, if you’re not in a fraternity, you won’t party much IN FRATERNITIES since they rarely let guys in that they do not know (if you are friends with brothers you’ll quickly learn that they will usually welcome you). </p>
<p>“There’s a reason frats don’t want guys to come in. Most people learn this very quickly.”</p>
<p>There is actually a very good reason. If it is what I think you’re insinuating, you’re being too judgmental. Fraternities often get lectured by their chapter advisers to not let guys they do not know into the house because it increases risk and possible altercations/fights. Think about it. Alcohol, stranger (drunk) males, and women. I’m not in a fraternity myself, but I am just trying to makes sure people don’t think the only reason guys aren’t let in is because frats don’t want their girls to be picked up by non-brothers (although that definitely is a reason, it’s not the only one).</p>