Fraternity / Sorority Scene

In my opinion, Sororities revolve around conformity, insecurity, and power struggles. Some girls may feel they have no other choice but to join a sorority in order to make friends. Unfortunately, however, what the majority of them will find is nasty, catty behavior, usually resulting in hurt self-esteems and inferiority complexes. It's a shame that these unnecessary, petty wastes of time are still in existence. Just a side note, the whole "sister" thing really creeps me out. It's like some sort of brain-washing cult, where they burn into your brains the power behind cover-up and which nail polish color will attract the most dreamy boys.

Ugh. I'd laugh if some frat boys tried to haze me. Then I'd tell them to get me a roll of duct tape, a shitload of chem lights, and a folding cot so I can show them what hazing is all about...

just check out ratemyfraternity.com or ratemysorority.com to figure out what the best fraternities and sororities are. it seems to be allt here

I find it somewhat fascinating to read over this list of comments...what surfaces is a number of hostile individuals who broadcast their sentiment with a high level of emmotional content and very little fact illustrating their ignorance of greek life in general. Ironically, by catorizing this "group" called "greeks" and attaching old stereotypes these individuals end up displaying the very behavior they claim to dislike. As with all segments of society there are good and bad examples...I think if any of you were to spend some real time in a Chapter you would discover that...as is with dorm life...it is what you make of it. If you are focused on the "party" you are missing the boat. Community involvement in the Greek system is huge...philanthropy and a sense of responsibility beyond yourself. The Greek system provides a student with a well rounded college experience and a support system to assist with academic and career goals...and yes, part of that is networking..welcome to the re... Read more

The experience of being in a sorority is one of the most rewarding decisions that I have made. I did not "buy my friends", I worked to create the friendships and deepen our connection. Sure, there are people who drink too much, make mistakes, and are elitist. The posters who are bashing the Greeks are actually proclaiming themselves "above" these individuals. This is elitist behavior also. Being in a fraternity or sorority is not about always having parties, we are just more visible. Actually, Greeks have GPAs above the campus average. We learn leadership, service and organizational skills. There is no opportunity like this in college. Join the one that is right for you and I guarantee that your life will be enriched. Every sorority chapter is different because of all the individuals in the house. I wasn't friends with all 95 of my "sisters", but we cared enough to help them if they needed it. I don't know why people choose the hatred and bitterness towards an entire group of individua... Read more

Definitely do not choose your school based on the fraternities/sororities. That said, joining one once you get there isn't necessarily a bad idea, not all Greek organizations fit the stereotypes perpetuated in movies like Animal House. I have to say I'm somewhat disappointed by some of the things said below by some of the more prolific/respected reviewers on this site. Yes, there are Greek organizations that act that way, but making the assumption that all of them do is just ignorant.I honestly had no intention of joining a fraternity when I got to college, in fact I'd say I was dead set against it. But about the second week of school or so, one of the fraternities was serving a free spaghetti dinner, and since I was already tired of the cafeteria, I decided I would take their food, but I wasn't joining them. Well, seven years later, and three years after graduating, I'm proud to call myself a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. It wasn't the stereotypical fraternity. Yes, some of us dran... Read more

sorority chicks are hot

Big whoop! How many college students actually get into a sorority, or fraternity?Oh, like i want to go through the "rigors" of being accepted into one of their snotty little groups.Gee in high school they used to call this a "clique" the very thing i was happy to get away from when I got out of high school years ago. I would go to college to get an education, not to be part of some little group.Not at all important to me.!

For the people who said that anyone who has a negative opinion of Greek Life hasn't experienced it: I actually have the experience to say so; these groups are for total losers. I'm not saying EVERYONE in a Greek group is a loser, but I was a member of Delta Gamma for 2 years and got expelled because the other girls decided they didn't like me. They were jealous of me because I had a 4.0 without having to study hard, and I think they were offended that I had a lot going on and a ton of friends outside of the group. So they made up some disgusting lies about me, sent them to the National Council, and the National Council expelled me without even bothering to hear my side of the story. I did nothing wrong, and I was expelled, because these groups are all about having fun together with whoever is popular in the group and treating anyone who is the slightest bit different like absolute dirt. Seriously, what do sororities even do for the world? Community service groups are cool because... Read more

Might be something of interest for some, but not for me. There are better things to worry about or to look for with your college experience. I guess if you find a frat/sorority that isn't a big party group, then maybe. Having the brothers or sisters, might help ease you into college life, but it's still not something I'm looking for...

I'm sure this attracts a lot of young people,but it's a really dumb way to choose a school.

Right after I became a sister, a bunch of oppurtunities opened for me on campus to take on leadership roles and be part of the community. Believe me, i don't drink. I do NOT hook up with anyone randomly and none of my sisters do that either. If anyone of them gets drunk, a sister is always there to take care of her. Choosing to be in a frat/sorority doesnt mean that that we can only get friends by putting ourselves through a specific process. the process, at least for my sorority, is purposeful. we learn the history and even about ourselves. (how much we are willing to go for someone we love and how easily we trust) reading all these comments about how frats and sororities drink themselves silly is really stupid because seriously, i know people who do that and they are definately not greek.

If you need to buy your friends that is all up to you. They are full of typical college losers that are full of themselves and are just in it so they can fit into some kind of social scene. They are the typical ones that save their beer cans and cut apart beer boxes and hang them up to show how much they drink. During my freshman year I went with my friend to one of their meetings not knowing what they were all about. They started off by asking me if I had a nickname and when I said no they looked at me like I had three heads. They also said that by joining everybody would know who you were, and that they could get copies of almost any test to ensure that you so good. They also said that if someone messes with you that they had your back. That was fine until they told us that a member had a problem with another individual so a goup of fraternity guys jumped that one single kid. A real man fights his own battles. Also for two days your not allowed to talk to anyone...not even a... Read more

People in frats are a bunch of losers, and they know it. They are basically high school nobododys who are in need for a second chance. What kills me is that they act so cocky, yet cocky isnt cofidenence, its nothing more then an obvious attempt to cover up how insecure and how little confidence they really have. Hence the reason to join a frat. They find comfort in befriending a bunch of other losers who cant think for themselves. I didnt go to school for psyc, but its pretty obvious why frats exsist.

I am going to a University school in Arkansas and I was led on to believe that the Greek system where I go to school is better than those at other schools. Wrong. The Greek System at UALR is so twisted. Don't ever go greek at UALR.

Institutions for those with heavy duty herd mentality. I would imagine this is also where those schmooze genes begin to kick in for some people also. LOL! I wouldnt pick a university for this reason any more than I would pick a book to read or a movie to watch simply because it was on the best sellers list or an academy award winneryou dont have to own a Mac to think different. Dare to be an individual concentrate on really learning something not impressing the crowd. UPDATE: Uh, well starlight333 what do your statistics REALLY prove ... the wealthy help other wealthy stay wealthy and joining the same organizations help them stay connected? Being Greek doesn't make you more talented, special, intelligent or anything else except possibly better connected. Aside from that, I wouldn't be too quick to be proud of an association with some of the high rollers you listed. Most of them make up what many of us believe to be the butt kissing, morally bankrupt scum of the earth. But that woul... Read more

Being in a sorority or fraternity have its pluses, great place for networking and job opportunities. Especially if it is a professional fraternity or sorority. But as a reason to pick a school no.

If you're picking a university based on it's Greek system, you've got some serious problems. It does have its perks--depending on what campus you're on, ain't no party like a frat party. Those guys drink beer like it comes out of a faucet. Of course, house parties and bars are the thing around here, but frats do have their place. While I commend the greeks coming onto the board throwing meaningless stats out at the rest of us, let's remember that the frat/sorority system is just another version of the good ol' boy network. If you're not in the loop, you're considered a second-class citizen. Once you get in, well, the perks are immense. I've known guys who pledge just to get the recommendations. The previous post tossed out all kinds of stats--it's easy to dominate a field if you've got money and a well-entrenched network set up when you walk in the door. Just started, first day on the job? No matter, go right to the head of the line, since you were in a frat the boss was a me... Read more

This is definitely should not be the defining reason for selecting a university. Clearly there are benefits to going Greek, namely connections for job placement after graduation and getting in on the inside track with student government. However, some frats and sororities have a herd mentality that I don't find appealing. Like in any organization, there are some members who are total posers, but lots of others are also very decent. You can't paint a broad brush here. I would definitely consider Greek life once you're in college; it gives you a well-rounded college experience. but don't make it the basis of your decision.

I just finished my first year of university and my times with my sorority sisters were by far the best part of it. Those of you that are putting Greek Life down because of the stereotypes you see on tv need to open your eyes a little bit more. *Nationally, 71% of all Greeks graduate, while only 50% of non-Greeks graduate. *The all Greek GPA is typically higher than the overall collegiate GPA. *Since 1910, 85% of the Supreme Court Justices have been Greeks. *85% of Fortune 500 key executives are Greek. *76% of the United States Senators are Greek. *71% of Who's Who in America are Greek. *All but two presidents since 1825 have been Greek. *70% of U.S. Presidents' cabinet members since 1900 have been Greek.

That doesn't matter to me at all.

This really should be one of the last pieces of critera to worry about when picking a university. Of course, a student's gotta have fun as well. We do not want them to overkill their brains. However, the first priority when picking a college should be what type of education they are receiving. Some groups will have some educational value (activity wise). Yet, a good sum obviously don't.

Just because you were not able to make the grade, dont cry about it. Sororitys and fraternitys drink, but so did you in college. They are the loudest personalitys on campus and thats more than likely why they get things done. They are over achivers and community volenteers. We have standards to live up to. Its not about comforming at all, its about being able to enjoy life and bring out your true personality. It's about being connected to the world, not about having money. My sorority costs less to live in per year than the dorms on my campus. Plus greeks are ten times more likely to be hired once the graduate. We are not trying to stay in high school we are trying to get the full college experiance. So if that means good grades and good friends. Why not bring the two together and have some good parties.

I understand that everyone has their own experiences that shape their opinions but I also understand that there is no generalization you can make that is fair. There is no comment that is true about all men or all women just as there is no way to group all fraternities and all sororities. I didn't choose my school for Greek life but I have found it a very helpful experience. I chose my sorority with care and made sure that the sisters within my organization held similar ideals. We aren't all cookie cutter images but we accept each other's differences and beliefs. If you're looking for the stereotype then you can find it but isn't that true of any situation? Stereotypes come from somewhere. So you had a bad experience with one school's Greek system or one chapter of an organization, don't take that out on the rest of us. I have had a crappy boyfriend but that doesn't mean I hate all men. In the end it all comes down to what each individual wants. Just keep in mind you don't have to be i... Read more

It's disgusting and disturbing that you guys can stereotype an entire segment of our population!!! The first comment looks like some comment about communists 20 years ago. "They serve no good except to tack a few numbers to the annual count of young deaths in college." Let me tell you this - I trust my fraternity brothers to take care of me if things get out of hand much more than I would trust some of my other friends. You think these people who die of alcohol poisioning and drug overdoses are dead because they're greek? NO. They're dead because they're stupid. And here at USC, the all-fraternity GPA is .2 higher than the all men's GPA. And they aren't "drunk tanks" either. There are plenty of dry fraternities across the nation if that's what you want. How many presidents have been greek? All but 2. So before you chastise them for creating alcoholics and wife beaters, just know that you've chosen frat boys to lead our nation for the past 200 years. Put that in your pipe a... Read more

People who have negative opinions of Greek Life have not been a part of it. As for being "snotty" and a "clique" that's simply untrue. I admit that I did not decide to go through with recruitment until the summer going into my freshman year at my university. The main reason why I was originally going to live in the dorms was because I too bought into the media's image of stereotypical sorority girls and frat boys. However, sorority women are the most intelligent, diverse group of women I've ever met. Our grades are always above the University's average, and we do not haze, binge drink, or have sex with every frat guy that crosses our paths. I've found my best friends in my sorority who have helped me develop myself and my self confidence. I can honestly say that the best decision I've made in my life thus far has been to join my sorority.

Oh hell yeah, I get to drink myself to a stuppor each night. Beat pledges with a paddle, make them drink until they pass out, and eat gold fish. Last night I got totally wasted and hooked up with three girls I didn't even know. One of our pledges broke his collar bone when we made him do a keg stand and we dropped him, it was the funniest thing since one of our little sisters stripped for us and we stole her clothes, she was so drunk she didn't even care and spent the rest of the party naked and passed out on the floor in the founders room. Is that what you wanted to hear?

Frats and sororities are all a bunch of drunk punks, I've hated them when I went to college 10 years ago, and I still hate them. Me and my buddy used to run by fraternity row at Jax State and throw water balloons and raw potatoes at them all the time. They're probably the major reason why we have distance learning and internet colleges nowadays.

Sorry, frats and sororities rule. Might as well learn group psychology and motivation before you can really apply it to the real world. What's more educational than learning how to deal with 30-50 drunks/addicts/sociopaths in your organization? My career is easy and uncomplicated compared to my college days. People that hate the greek scene just don't like crowds or have axes to grind. I've heard all the stereotypes: "They're just dummies that drink!" Check out the politicians/lawyers/leaders/captains of industry that were greeks. Stop bitching about those that partied and got laid and deal with your own issues and insecurities. Hey, I'm as happy as anyone that those days are over (believe me) but anti-greek nuts are whiners. What the hell would the armies of losers do on college weekends without the intense labor (moving kegs and organizing parties) of the sociopathic drunks called my fraternity brothers? Get over your hatred of those who had a little more fun, pulled a litt... Read more

Provides really great opportunities for leadership, socializing, service, etc. The stereotypes are not necessarily true. The "type" of people varies from organization to organization, and you have to find the right one for you. That said, although being Greek is one of my favorite aspects of college life, I only gave it a 3 because I did NOT originally select my university based on the existence/strength of the Greek system. It's a great experience, but there are many things that are more important to consider when choosing a college, such as curriculum.

Frats and sororities are drunk tanks... I'm glad my college doesn't have them.

Never saw the point of frats and sororities. They are for the people who want to re-live their high school days and don't really want to grow up.

I know for a fact that frats are best thing about college. I'm 21 years old and in my second year @ FSU. When I came here I knewe no one, now that Im involved in a frat I've met all sorts of people that share the same views that I do, know how to have a good time and have thier crap together in classes. Whatever stereotype you want to label us, you can, we arent gonna have any less of a good time. Most of the people that are against them are usually the ones that come up socially inadequate!

Should be done away with. Discriminatory and abusive. Why is it so important to college people that they be accepted by societies like this?

Why is this even considered part of college?

i've always thought of these two "institutions" as breeding grounds for date rapists and their prey. they serve no good except to tack on a few numbers to the annual count of young deaths in college. most of the frat boys and sorority girls i knew in college were A. dumb B. fake C. violent. yet unniversities love them