<p>Go to the national web site of any large sorority (and, by the way, there are female fraternities....yes, in the late 1800's some of the earliest "sororities" were formed as all-female fraternities) and check out some of the people who are members of these Greek organizations. You'll see the names of Jane Pauley, Candice Bergen, former senators and congresswomen, federal judges, astronauts, and on and on...Then you can decide to slam them, if you want. My D has found her sorority to be supportive and filled with unique and intelligent women. (As an aisde, she holds a 3.95 GPA, not the "airhead" Greeek sister). At many colleges, there are no Greek houses; the members live in "normal" dorms. The Greeks are just groups that meet to socialize and offer each other support, and they are often THE major contributors to community service on the campus. The character of a national Greek organization varies greatly by campus and year. So, if you are considering joining, look carefully at who your "sisters" will be on your campus.</p>
<p>Depending on how you look at it, my D either goes to a school with no sororities or where the whole school is one big sorority.</p>
<p>Isn't she at Smith? Bet she's doing great and loving it!</p>
<p>IFJ, yes and yes. Up lots of very late nights and very stressed with impending finals but having the time of her life. Women's colleges in general seem to have all the sorority benefits with none of the snooty downside once you've been admitted.</p>
<p>(signed) CC's biggest Smith honk</p>
<p>IFJ - Well stated. Sororities and female fraternities can be not only a very positive experience for the members, but a beneficial asset to the leadership pool of a campus.</p>
<p>In my never-be-it-humble opinion, the non-house campuses have the greatest chance of being a positive greek experience. My alma mater is that way and each sorority has a suite with a kitchen, office and lounge. Girls often room or share apartments with girls from other sororities or girls who are not members of any sorority. My fraternity [I am one of those old ones] had a heavy emphasis on high academic achievement[mandatory study time with a "grade granny"/upper class sister] and has a national focus/effort common to all chapters on arthritis research.</p>
<p>It is heartbreaking when a child is hurt or treated unfairly. However, experiences and chapters are as varied almost as their numbers. My personal recommendation is to wait to rush until sophomore year, especially if rush is early in the school year; or go through part of rush freshman year, but don't go to final rounds and wait until sophomore year. If you are meant to be in a particular sorority, it will work out when you are a sophomore too. That way the student will have their own campus identity and know which chapter they really want to be a part of or not.</p>