My parents forbid me to join a sorority because they think it is just an all-access to drinking and sometimes drugs, with is probably true although I wouldn’t know. I really do want to though, because I feel like if I don’t join a sorority then I will have a harder time making friends, being a part of the community, and joining parties. Even though not going to start drinking or anytime soon in college since that is a big step towards adulthood and I just don’t think im ready for that, I feel like my personality really fits a sorority. I am preppy, outgoing, a party girl, etc., so if I don’t join a sorority, will I be excluded from them and their group?
Also, does hazing actually happen in sororities or is that just a rumor?
Party girl? Wow, no wonder your parents feel the way they do. Be very careful. USC is not a party school and there are very studious women in sororities, which generally have a higher average GPA than the rest of the school. Please save the parties for when you have a very high GPA and can afford to “party.”
@SeattleTW thanks a lot…If you really wanna know the long story then here is: i’m not a party girl at all in high school, in fact I have never been to a party in HS because I have never been invited to one, except for small hangouts with close friends, and I don’t plan to drink even when I am in college (ill be the designated driver) until 21. I just think that I would like to “party” when I actually do get invited to parties and maybe even host them myself, since I am an extrovert, love meeting new people and love hanging out with a ton of friends. so please.
I actually just brought up a convo to my dad as to why he wouldn’t let me join a sorority. He said it wasn’t about the drinking (obviously you can still go to frat parties when your not in one of those houses), but because of the hazing. I actually don’t blame him because there are a bunch of really depressing stories about people who get hazed in sororities/frats like what happened to the guy at Clemson.
Also, since there is no “sorority” topic, I posted this onto USC because I heard they have one of the best out there. This post was meant for all the sororities out there.
Only 20% of USC students join Frats/ Sororities. You will have PLENTY of chances to meet lots of people in your dorm building, at the various eating venues, in classes, and around campus. Relax, smile and enjoy your time at USC!
The USC Panhellenic has stood the test of time. The first Greek women’s chapter was founded well over 100 years ago. However, only a small minority of women join the “social” sororities. There are religious, civic, cultural, political, music, drama, athletic, service and other organizations where you can make friends.
During orientation booths will be set up. There you can meet representatives from a host of organizations. Check out those that interest you.
It is possible to participate in Greek recruitment as a beginning sophomore. After a year on campus you may decide if Greek life would fit your lifestyle.
When you arrive at school during Welcome Week there will be lots of activities specifically geared toward freshmen living in the dorms. Your RA on your floor will also have activities for everyone on the floor throughout the year. You will meet people during these activities, get closer to your floor mates and meet people in the dining halls. The first week of school, booths will be set up for all the student clubs and organizations. Visit the tables for everything that interests you. Join a couple clubs. You will also meet people that are in your major because they will be in a lot of classes with you. Ask questions of current students. They can be a wealth of information on every aspect of Trojan life 
Your RA is trained to help you and direct you to the right place if you have any questions. Parties (both large and small) are not just an aspect of Greek life. You will find chances to socialize and make friends in many places. Having a job on campus is another way to meet people. During your freshman year you can look into sororities and ask members about each of their houses and the activities that take place. My own daughter is not in a sorority at USC but she has lots of friends she met through her classes and clubs. She now lives with a bunch of them in a big house in the historic home area of University Park. Yes, you can make friends and be social without being a Greek. But, if that is where you feel home, I am sure there are a couple of the sororities where you will find students that you really connect with. If this is what you want I am sure they have parent information and flyers discussing their charity work and the academic standards of the house so your parents will feel better about it. Good luck!
^you have been very helpful!
I was opposed to my daughter joining a sorority because of my own biases against Greek life, and concerns that her involvement might detract from academics. As it turned out, she joined a sorority which has if anything enhanced her academic success. How so? Well, for one thing, she has a plug-in social life; no major time commitments required…makes for efficient fun. Also the sororities make a big deal about academics. Good grades are rewarded with recognition events and even small monetary awards. Girls are encouraged to invite their professors to the house. During midterms and finals, the house becomes study central. My daughter is premed and following in the footsteps of her big who is also premed. To be clear, I’m talking about a “social” sorority (and a top tier at that). As far as I know, there is no hazing (for the girls).
On the other hand, not joining a sorority would in no way diminish your opportunities for fun…non-affiliated girls are still welcome at fraternity parties
Sororities do not haze. New members are given lots of attention and many gifts from bid day through initiation.
@scoolmom actually a frat guy died at clemson because of a plege issue and was found in a lake under a brige just this year. the other frat guys even tried to lie to his gf when she asked where he was. Your sorority probably didn’t haze but there are so many scary stories of hazing in sororities, even in ivy schools
My current roommate has joined a “secret society” that involved some horrific (IMO) hazing. It’s alive and well in all kinds of groups, apparently.
Hazing is a felony, if convicted, in the state of California. NPC sororities at SC have live in resident house directors. Parties are NOT allowed in sorority chapter houses. Each NPC chapter has a risk management officer. Older adult advisors and house corporation alumnae are active in recruitment, some social events such as mother-daughter luncheons, recruitment and fundraising.
Perhaps a fraternity member can add to this thread about current policies of the national fraternities.
@“Georgia Girl” thanks, but im still freaked out by it. these things happen all the time, and the fact that someone died from a sorority just this year (his parents are suing the frat) really sets me off
@bodangles these things happen even in columbia and dartmouth, which is truly shocking!
OP,
you CAN’T join a sorority at USC until you have been there a YEAR! In the MEANWHILE, you’ll have already met LOTS of new friends who you’ll find have NO intention of joining one! So relax!!!
And fyi- USC is absolutely committed to further elevating its visibility and reputation nationwide and in keeping with that ,is intolerant of the kind of frat and sorority associated behavior you are afraid of encountering. [I would not be surprised if frat houses and sororities houses become a thing of the past there soon ]
" these things happen all the time’"
NOT at USC.
“these things happen even in columbia and dartmouth, which is truly shocking”
At Dartmouth frat participation is over 70%, in great part due to the isolation of Hanover- there is nothing else to do in the tiny town-- which is NOT the case in LA!- and in part to a long term association with frats that the Dartmouth administration has continued to tolerate.
That is not the case at USC.
so again…relax!!!
@menloparkmom Hi,
if you read the 2nd or 3rd post, you can see that I stated in the end of my paragraph that there was no “sorority” thread I could post on, I only posted on USC because it has been said that they have one of the best frats/sororities/greek life. but thanks for the input! i am for sure applying here(:
cowycam7, you may not realize it, but there seems to be differences in standards and operating practices between sororities (girls only, house mother present at all times, no hazing, no alcohol in sorority house, no parties in house either) and social fraternities, where there can be none of those rules/safeguards and where rumors/past events have suggested even rules may be bent/broken without intense supervision. But different schools have different Greek traditions and not all can be bundled into one heap. So, can a sorority member go to a party at a frat house, get drunk, get into trouble? It has certainly happened. Can a non-sorority woman go to that same party and choose to take the same risks? Of course. But college students are adults and need to take care of themselves. I’m sure you will be fine. And you can go to USC, for example, and talk to the actual women involved in Greek life and those who choose not to get involved and make up your own mind with real info at hand. Best of luck.
@cowycam7 You will make friends whether you are in a sorority or not as the majority of students are not involved in Greek life. Just to clarify, though, sororities and fraternities are different. Sororities at USC and every other college that my daughters’ friends attend report the same: sororities do not haze. Just so you know and are informed with correct information…Good luck and enjoy your college years!
ANYONE WHO SAYS SORORITIES DON’T HAZE IS MAKING AN INCORRECT BLANKET STATEMENT.
Back in the real world, this is extremely important to be cognizant of. While the majority of sororities I’ve heard things from don’t haze (or do so lightly), there are a minority that do. However, most of what I’ve heard is very different from frat hazing that can in %0.0001 cases involve in death. I could throw out a vacuous statement: It’s more dangerous to drive a car.
@BadParent put it best (post #7)
@cowycam7 Saying “… sorority just this year (his parents are suing the frat)” is incorrect because a guy cannot be in a sorority. Although a simple mistake, it’s important to point out because you’re lumping Greek orgs together (like madbean mentioned), which will give you an incorrect understanding. Frats haze differently than sororities. Sororities, the minority that haze, tend to be more about making one prove oneself or psychological, especially at a shallow level, like body image. A friend of a friend got through this easy because she fit in, showed up, and DGAF. In the end, people seem to forget that people stay in their org after pledging. If it was really so bad they’d either quit or make it through to be an active member and then leave the org or hate half of the people in it. If you have real conversations with most people that have been through a pledge process, they’ll say
- They became close with their fellow new members
- They grew as a person
- It was worth it in the end
Also, your rationalization for being a party girl, or potential party girl, based on your extroverted tendencies should be re-evaluated. Not to be mean, but real talk. You sound like a pleasure to have a conversation with, but do you think that’s easy to do at loud Greek parties? If truly meeting people is your desire, smaller parties and gatherings may be your scene because they’re more conducive to your goal. With that said, who knows if you’ll take to the Greek party scene or not. You may end up being a party girl or maybe something else floats your boat. My point here is: You can be your idea of a party girl without being in a sorority. Do whatever makes you happy.
I’m not aware of a rule saying freshmen can’t pledge sororities at USC. To keep the conversation generalized, I’d disregard this point as it seems like you’re in the process of applying to multiple colleges and I’m sure many of them allow freshmen to join sororities.
@psydent thanks for the tips.
Re: post #13. Women rush as freshman at USC, and less frequently as sophomores.