<p>
[quote]
Ooooh-kay. So, it's ok for you to point out superficialities about people, but woe be a Greek person who does.
[/quote]
I'm saying that Greeks have a preference for "hotter" people, whereas I don't "exclude" non-hot people (I have no reason to); I'm merely stating that some have more universal appeal than others (according to anthropologists, heterosexual women and homosexual men are attracted to deep voices, a certain waist-hip ratio, muscularity, etc.). Once again, nowhere did I say that hot or non-hot people are more desirable. Besides, in the ranking, I didn't say who's "hot" or not. I rated based on pure looks, fitness, and charm/demeanor.</p>
<p>The good thing is that, as you say, at NU, Greeks are indistinguishable from non-Greeks. This is not the case at most schools.</p>
<p>I'm interested in transferring to Northwestern, and I was wondering how the Zebe chapter is at Northwestern? Is it really Jewish? (I am not). What's the reputation? </p>
<p>I'm in absolute shock that sanjen talked smack about NU Greeks months before stepping on campus. Honestly. Absolute shock. I'm out of arguments. I'm slightly disappointed that NU accepted a student capable of such intentional ignorance, but it's mainly shock.</p>
<p>Sach, I believe you are referring to Zeta Beta Tau (ZBT for short) when you say "Zebe". I'm not going to propagate stereotypes, but the men of ZBT are not that religious, I believe half or slightly less are actually Jews. It is considered one of the "mainstream" fraternities that throws parties, has brotherhood events etc.
Many see ZBT as a "normal fraternity that happens to have Jews". With all fraternities it has its perceived strengths and weaknesses, but I hardly find it appropiate to go into much more than that. While stereotypes usually are highly destructive and antithetical to the goals of the Greek system, I think a rudimentary understand of the GENERAL culture of each house is a good idea.</p>
<p>My suggestion: go out to different houses and see who you click with.</p>
<p>^that's a little harsh. maybe he just got some strong feeling about the greeks based on what he heard or read and it took him a while to shake it off. we all have our own idiosyncrasies; all of us make mistakes sometime.</p>
<p>CerebralAssassin, that's incorrect. I wasn't "intentionally ignorant"; I was told about "stuff" (yes, 'twas in the same category as that stuff on the news some time ago) going on in the frats before I came here, and the person telling me that saw the pics from the events. I wasn't going to bring it up, but you compelled me to. This kind of stuff undeniably occurs. You couldn't blame me for my initial criticism; I am a strong advocate of human dignity.</p>
<p>I hope I don't regret choosing Northwestern over Rice and WashU.</p>
<p>Let me tell you about some of the things I saw on the news and the responses I DIDN'T make.</p>
<p>I know someone died on Space Mountain at Disney, but haven't sworn off theme parks as death traps.
I know that a few people raped and held captive an African-American woman, but haven't believed that all white people wish african-Americans ill.
I know that many Germans in the 1930s loved Hitler, but haven't revered him as a good person.</p>
<p>If you haven't learned this yet, classes at NU will teach you quickly: taking things out of context and having selective memory is a really bad way to start to formulate an argument.</p>
<p>Btw, I have no ulterior motives in asking that question. My "Greek" friends at my previous school said the Greeks there had a higher GPA than the university as a whole. Obviously, they also have easy access to alcohol and could benefit from networking later on.</p>
<p>As a Northwestern parent, I think this thread has gotten way too agitated. Take a breather, folks. As for you, san, why don't you wait until you get to NU and make up your mind then?
From all the comments, it has to be obvious to you that fraternities don't drive the social scene at Northwestern. Part of the scene, yes - live or die, no. Like every other college freshman, you'll start hanging with a group of people. Or with two or three different groups of people. A bunch of people you meet in a pre-orientation program. A bunch of people from your dorm. A bunch of people from your major if you enter in a specific track.
Over time, you'll figure out if the frats are a fit for you or not. There are plenty of them out there. And rush doesn't happen until Winter Quarter so you've got plenty of time.
And there is some variability among them from year to year, depending on which freshmen have joined the year before. You might hear a description of Frat Sigma X this year that might be way off-base next year because a certain group of seniors will have graduated and a new group of freshmen will have their own impact.
I've had four different kids have three different college experiences - frats/sororities, no frats/sororities, social houses/commons. NU is pretty low-key. And I don't think you will regret picking Northwestern over Wash U and Rice. Both very nice places (two of my kids applied but ultimately picked other schools) but Northwestern has its advantages.</p>
<p>social events (like date parties, formals), living in the house with all your brothers/sisters (it's a really fun experience), networking with older members on campus who can show you around, etc. who you wouldn't meet otherwise, being part of an extracurricular organization, opportunities to do philanthropy, social networking</p>
<p>for some people certain aspects are more important than others, but those i would say are the main reasons people like to go greek, that and some people just like inclusion in a 'club'</p>
<p>also living in the house is nice because you get to be on a meal plan but don't have to have CAs or live in the dorms</p>
<p>The reason I was asking about the Zebe chapter was because I am a Zebe at a different school and I'm thinking of transferring to NU. I just wanted to get gist of what the general consensus was of the chapter. If I do transfer to NU, the chapter will just determine how active I am (If I am at all...). I'm not going to rush any other chapters at NU, so that's the real reason I was asking. I guess I'll have to find out for myself...hopefully.</p>
<p>"I was told about "stuff" (yes, 'twas in the same category as that stuff on the news some time ago) going on in the frats before I came here, and the person telling me that saw the pics from the events. I wasn't going to bring it up, but you compelled me to. This kind of stuff undeniably occurs."</p>
<p>What kind of stuff undeniably occurs? </p>
<p>BTW, you probably would have done a lot better if you had said, "I'm thinking of coming to NU, but I have concerns about the Greek system. I have heard that the Greek system is x,y, and z. Can anyone either Greek or non-Greek comment?" instead of asserting that the Greek system was INDEED undeniably x,y, and z when you really didn't know or have a basis for knowing. Learning the right questions to ask is an important part of the NU experience. Good luck, seriously.</p>
<p>I just took my bid at my Fraternity last night! I kept going back and forth on whether or not to pledge or not, but I'm pretty sure I made the right choice. Woot.</p>
<p>san- As I'm sure you know, about 35% of guys are in the Greek system, but more than that rush- some people just like the free food and events. And who wouldn't? I think one Fraternity is having Surf and Turf on one of the nights! o_O</p>
<p>Yeah, I saw that in the poster. Looks like that number might go up. According to the Interfraternity Council, 40% of freshmen joined in 2006-2007.</p>
<p>
[quote]
1. the Greek system is socially elitist.
2. the fact that certain houses are known as "less tolerant" than others must be because of their distinct characters that dispose them to be so.
3. These characters strengthen ingroup/outgroup biases and stifles personal change especially when members live together.
4. This effect is bad only if the organization is socially elitist and has a questionable purpose for existence. The Greek system fits this criteria.
[/quote]
</p>
<ol>
<li><p>There are many people who don't go greek who are "socially elitist" (not saying that the Greeks are - at least not all of them).</p></li>
<li><p>You'll find non-Greek social cliques which are "less tolerant" (and w/in houses, different members have different viewpoints, just like the rest of society).</p></li>
<li><p>Uhh, just b/c one joins a house - that doesn't mean one loses all individuality/identity. As I stated before, there tend to be cliques w/in houses themselves, just like in the greater society.</p></li>
<li><p>You can say the same for pretty much any organization.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>The fact that other organizations also embody those characteristics doesn't excuse the Greek system from criticism. The general scholarship has been that Greek life is socially inhibitive during the college years, but from what I gather from this thread, the Greek life at NU is very different. I will study it further before making any conclusions.</p>