4 Considerations When Thinking About Joining Greek Life

By Jared Hart

Entering college can be hard for some freshman, while others are able to adapt swiftly. Freshman year is the time to get to know your college campus, meet new friends, study hard and have fun playing sports or doing things you enjoy. Many college freshmen may choose to rush a fraternity or sorority in order to enhance their college experience and make lifelong connections, while others choose to be independent of the Greek system. The decision on whether to rush is ultimately up to the individual on whether it’s the right decision for them. Joining Greek life has its benefits and disadvantages and there are a couple important considerations to keep in mind when thinking about joining.

1. Cost

When you first join a fraternity, this may not seem like a big deal to you, but it places a heavy burden on your parents who are already paying for the majority of your college expenses. Joining a fraternity can be very expensive: buying new clothes, recruitment fees, meal plan, road trip events, house fees and dues and more. Some can cost upwards of $2000 per semester of college, so just keep this in mind when rushing and looking at houses.

2. Lifelong connections/relationships

The big positive to joining Greek life is making lifelong friends and gaining a close knit group of like-minded people. If you are one of those people who gets homesick quiet easily, this will definitely help in curbing that restlessness. Many fraternities and sororities have upperclassmen mentors who can give you advice on classes to take, professors to avoid and a lot more.

3. Involvement/Limitations

Greek life typically holds prominent leadership positions on campus and joining one can allow you to get more involved on campus and enhance your college resume. Branching outside your fraternity or sorority is very easy as there are a plethora of fundraising and social events that allow you to meet new people and maybe meet your future spouse. Although you might have the time of your life, it can be very easy for Greek life to take over your life and affect your schoolwork/outside social life, so keep this in mind.

4. Alcohol/Stereotypes

Peer pressure to drink even when underage can be higher in Greek life. If you are not the partygoer or don’t drink, this can be difficult sometimes and should be discussed with your parents when joining a fraternity or sorority. There are also people who may judge you because you are in a certain fraternity/sorority and many houses get bashed for doing things the wrong way. Don’t listen to all the rumors about each house; just get to know the brothers/sisters and make the correct choice for you.

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