UVa Frats

<p>Great advice jags. My S went to a different school but with a similar process and all that you say rings true. Especially getting to know the 2nd years during the rush process and paying attention to the other rushees at the the houses that you like. It really is amazing how it all works out and good matches are so often made. Is there a lot of "southern" influence in the frats...or is it only one or two houses?? Just curious.
Also, can you give any generalizations about the sororities?? I know that is dangerous since there are so many exceptions to any rule, but I'd like to hear an "insiders" opinion. D knows very little about greeks at UVa and is planning on rushing in Jan.</p>

<p>Sure caseybat :-)</p>

<p>I'm going to be as frank as possible about my observations - I don't mean to offend or be taken the wrong way.</p>

<p>for the "southern influence" - there are several frats that are very southern. Also, as for the southern frats, you'll find that they're also into $$$. You have a lot of rich southern boys at UVa, which isn't a bad thing - its just I find that when they get together they can be a bit much. </p>

<p>While not a definitive list, the very southern frats that i would take notice of are Chi Phi, Kappa Sigma, Kappa Alpha, The Hall, Elmo's, PiKA, DKE, and Zate (so about a 1/4). They're generally kids from virginia and below, and majority have a lot of $. They'll always make an exception for a northern kid with $. From personal experience, a friend of mine got an invite from one of these frats that had written on it "average home price for (the town he lived in) $3.4 million"...honestly...who would write that, what does it matter?</p>

<p>Majority of the other houses are level headed - sans sigma chi (who think their god's gift to humanity). You have to remember, the school has 65% or more kids from virginia, and figure half of that 35% is from the south...so every place is going to have its fair share of southern flare - its just a matter of how these people view themselves.</p>

<p>As for sororities...the rush process is entirely different. Frat rush is so much fun - sorority rush sucks big time. All the girls have to get dressed up in their pearls and evening dresses and go to all the houses (i believe every girl has to go to every house for atleast open house). Mind you, they're doing this in the middle of winter - its freezing outside. Theres alot of sitting around and talking, no booze, nothing fun really. Alot of girls drop out just because they don't want to deal with it. The pay off comes that frat pledging sucks hardcore (atleast for some) and sorority girls get treated like princesses while they pledge.</p>

<p>Sororities that are level headed AXO, ZTA, DZ, KD...all great girls. There are the same steriotypes tho for soroties, you have your rich southern ones...Kappa Alpha Theta, Tri Sig, Tri Delt, XO - and then you have you're extremely hot one...Delta Gamma - which every girl is a model...the october playmate of the month was a DG at UVa. The rest of the sororities fall in there own categories. Theres always a demand for sororities tho - because there are 2x as many frats.</p>

<p>Jags--I appreciate your honestly and insight. From the little I have heard from D, everything you say is exactly as she has perceived it, though she has obviously (or should I say-hopefully!) not spent much time within the greek system as of yet. We are NOT southern, and really know very little about the social culture of anywhere but the west (do we HAVE culture here??!). Going to school in Virginia has been a REAL eye opening experience for D--but also a great opportunity to learn-in and out of the classroom.</p>

<p>I have a hard time believing the story about the home price....can that type of thing really still be happening?? D has made several references to the southern influence amongst new girlfriends (I'm just praying she doesn't ask for pearls for xmas--haha), and I have kind of poo-pooed it when she has mentioned the subject. Perhaps there is more of a mix of
"cultures" than I realized. I do think it is all good though--just makes you realize that we are all so different and bring so much diversity to each other's lives.</p>

<p>That being said, I laughed at your Sigma Chi comment. D spent an evening there and told me that was where she wanted to pledge! She said the place was loaded with DG's--I guess that makes sense.</p>

<p>The sorority rush process sounds fairly standard for rush at other schools. Can't someone figure out a better way to do this!!? As someone who went thru the process many years ago, I am believer that thru all the phoniness and stress of the week, somehow, the girl's rush also seems to work itself out. But what a pain it is to have that many forced conversations, introductions, etc in such a short time. You are so right--pledging is where it evens out between the girls and the guys.</p>

<p>Thanks so much for the sorority insight. It sounds like there are lots of great choices. Do you know anything about Kappa Kappa Gamma or Pi Phi? They are both big houses on most campuses--are they at UVa?? I understand that this is just generalization and opinion, but you sure seem to know what you speak of. Thanks again.</p>

<p>haha, casey - first year girl thinking of rushing? I'm sure your daughter is a pro at the greek system by now...hopefully she's not one who went crazy, but if she is she'll probably outgrow it by next semester.</p>

<p>The thing with the house price is absolutely true - i know it sounds pretty ridiculous, but i swear its true (i wonder if you can guess the house...). While I'm sure the comment was meant facetiously, it still is a weird thing to joke about.</p>

<p>And yes, southern culture is a shock if you're not from the south. Even though my sister was at UVa while i was in high school, and I had been here a fair amount - its completely different as a student. I remember at orientation when we got our name tags, I believe I was the only person in my group thats last name started and ended in a vowel lol.</p>

<p>Well, your question about are KKG and Pi Phi being big at UVa...its not really an issue. I would say they probably both have atleast 90 people. Most sororities are +100 anyway. If the average frat has about 45 - 50 people, generally the sororities have 2x as much. They're fine, I don't know anyone in KKG but, I know a few girls in Pi Phi. Both are somewhat southern (KKG more from what I've heard), but the sorority pool is a little more diluted - its a tad harder to have a super southern sorority just because theres so many girls in them, as opposed to a frat. There are probably only 2 or 3 legitimately southern only sororities.</p>

<p>My best advice for your daughter is to find out what fraternities the sororities she likes mix with. If she thinks she doesn't dig the whole southern boy thing - she should avoid places like theta - simply because they mix only with the southern frats. Other than that, she'll have a blast anywhere she goes probably.</p>

<p>P.S. </p>

<p>While rushing sucks for girls I wouldn't say it evens things out...while some parts of pledging are fun...I personally would have rather of put on some pearls and an evening gown and walked around for a few days than pledge again hahaha.</p>

<p>What's wrong with being southern? Anyway, the frats jags named are probably the most respected at uva attracting a bunch of cool guys (even from public schools-- money is not everything). Keep in mind everyone wants something different-- definitely go to A LOT of open houses etc. </p>

<p>As far as srats, Kappa is basically the same as Theta in being southern, rich, plasticy. Pi phi is really good and known for being active on grounds. If you meant "big" as respected, they are two of the more selective.</p>

<p>I've said several times theres nothing wrong with being southern. I'm not attacking any of those houses, I'm just saying that I wouldn't fit in at those houses, and there are a bunch of people wouldn't either. I personally love the southern charm, and maybe you havn't seen it yet, but that southern charm can also equate to southern d o u c h e. You couldn't stay at UVa very long if you didn't enjoy the southern culture. Casey asked for my honest opinion and I gave it to her. And as we both established, there are exceptions to everything.</p>

<p>Also, I didn't say that they only take rich guys who went to boarding school. I just said on a whole, they happen to have a lot of money. While it may not be the actual thing they look for, every house attracts the same kind of person. If a house has generally a lot of well to do people, it'll probably attract similiar people. Also private school doesn't equate to rich and public school doesn't equate to poor - thats a very dangerous assumption.</p>

<p>While yes, some of those can be considered the more "respected" on grounds, it really depends on who you ask. There are very big divisions on who thinks what is good and what isn't. Also, while I thought this should have been taken for granted - once you're in a fraternity, generally every other house automaticly is below your own lol - so please take everything I say with a grain of salt.</p>

<p>All points well taken and appreciated. I did ask for Jags opinion, and understand that is exactly what I got. Jacl--thanks for the additional input re:other sororities. Any add'l info that you might want to add would also be very appreciated--feel free. Oh, I just reread the thread and it sounds like you are a first year also--good luck.
D wanted to try a new environment...and UVa has definitely given her that. She really does love it. Like Jags says, there is, without question, an element of southern culture within the school. D finds it appealing in some ways and really appreciates that she has met kids from all parts of the US. However, her perception is that there is an element at UVa that finds southern culture the ONLY adequate environment to be associated with. That is something that concerns her, as she just doesn't relate to why certain students are so adamant about associating primarily with only certain types, "I'll just die if I don't get into a southern sorority!" Whaaat?? Hey,different strokes for different folks, I guess.....thats what makes the world go round. It's a different attitude from what she has seen before--that's all. That is what learning is all about. Thankfully, most kids really are drawn to where they will be happy. The system works.</p>

<p>What the heck did I do to get that smiley face?</p>

<p>"southern charm can equal southern d o uche" HILARIOUS. Sounds like yall are set, just wanted to put the other perspective up for consideration.</p>

<p>for any guys looking to rush this spring</p>

<p>make sure to check out sigma alpha mu open house at 619 cabell ave thurs jan 19 from 7pm-10pm</p>

<p>be a part of the reforming of sammy into one of the best frats at uva</p>

<p>feel free to email any questions to <a href="mailto:sammyuva@gmail.com">sammyuva@gmail.com</a></p>

<p>Hi everyone.</p>

<p>i have some questions concerning rushing.
1. what do people do at Open House events? just introducing themselves/talking to brothers/asking questions? how do they decide whom they give first/second/third invites to?
2. do people dress up for rush? what do most people wear?
3. how to increase your chance of getting invites?
4. How competitive is it for frats? out of let's say every 100 people who want to pledge, how many can actually get a bid?</p>

<p>THANK YOU VERY MUCH IN ADVANCE.</p>

<p>Hey untilted, I'll try and answer your questions...</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Open house generally you just talk to brothers and ask them questions about the house. Try to meet as many as possible and tell them something thats unique about you so they remember you. I wouldn't really worry about open house, generally everyone who goes to an open house gets a 1st invite.
After every round of invites the frat has a very comical and long drawn out process of eliminating rushees. They go through everyone who came and decide whether or not to keep them in their rush process. How frats decide who to keep involves how many in the house have gotten to known the kid, and whether or not they like him - thats basicly it. Just remember, open house is really awkward for the brothers - its a bunch of guy flirting, so don't feel like they don't like you if they're not the most talkative.</p></li>
<li><p>just wear whatever. all the brothers wear jacket and tie to distinguish them from the rushees. so...wear anything but jacket and tie.</p></li>
<li><p>get to know the brothers in the house. if you get to know them, they're more likely to vouche for you if a bunch of brothers don't know you.</p></li>
<li><p>competitiveness wise...every house is different, and every year is different. If a house previously had a small pledge class, they'll look to get a bigger house, and will more likely give more bids. I would say everyone who wants to be in a frat will likely get a bid if they go to enough places. If you make it to 3rd invites you have a fair chance of getting a bid if u go to the invites and arn't sketchy. You just may not get a bid from the place you want.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Jags86, I just read your story about the house $$$ on the invitation. LOL! </p>

<p>Back in the day, one of the preppy frats had a questionaire that asked its pledges when did their families immigrate to the US. In the 1600's, 1700's, 1800's, 1900's? It was one of the houses with a high FFV representation. (For those who don't know, the FFV stands for "First Families of Virginia". They're families who immigrated to Virginia back in the 1600's/early 1700's and can claim many of the state's and nation's founding fathers as their ancestors.) Oh UVa, such a funny public school you are!</p>

<p>lol, now THATS hilarious. oh man, UVA - I love the place, but man, it is one quirky and i do dare say ridonkulous school</p>

<p>So like....is this a party everyday? How do they remember people if so many show up? Seems like rush is coming.</p>

<p>Flip360, I know you may not understand how it works - but the process gets the job done. Yes a lot of people show up, but not everyone keeps coming back. Open house has a lot of people, but not everyone at open house goes to 1st invites. If you get say 200 people at open house, maybe only 100 come for first invites. and then like 75 for 2nds. and 40 for thirds. By the time final hours come you're done to 20 or so people. Its managable for 100 people (or 75, 40, 20 respectively) to get to be known by a group of 50 brothers.</p>

<p>jags, could you PM me your AIM SN? i have some specific questions about rush. thanks.</p>

<p>Without needing to be specific....how are you guys doing with Rush? Isn't it getting close to being over?</p>

<p>What do you think of the process?</p>

<p>The Greek life in UVA should come to a halt.</p>

<p>You will be sure to see plenty of Little Ms.Paris Hiltons with big sunglasses, pearl earrings and necklaces, and those "granny" looking bags on their shoulders. The guys on the other hand usually have scruffy hair and their UVA hat on. It's pretty pathetic, that's why the frat guys and especially sorority girls should just form their own alpha beta gamma yo mama club.</p>

<p>It should come to a halt? Ouch, tenniscraze. Why the animosity? I'm sure there are plenty of things that you're involved in that they would find repulsive, too. You see, at UVA, we celebrate diversity, and we appreciate those things that people different from us are interested in. Greek life has been a huge part of campus life at UVA for many decades now, and it likely will be for many more decades. What, do you want UVA to be like NYU? Or Berkeley?</p>