A Guide: Preparing For College

Going Greek?

Most college campuses have a Greek system. These are the sororities and fraternities. There are advantages and disadvantages to joining a sorority or fraternity. You should consider them carefully before you make your decision. Here are some tips on what to consider.

Tips:

• Consider whether you will have the time to participate in "rush." You will have to take part in a pledge period before you become a full-fledged member and you will lose study time.
  
  
• Determine whether you like to do things in large groups rather than small. Greeks have a very busy social life that is primarily limited to interactions with other Greek houses and determined by the house.
  
  
• Consider whether you enjoy close, same-sex living: Greek houses are not coed. In some sororities, males are not allowed above the first floor. Some houses have sleeping "porches" that hold as many as 30 members. Closets and bathrooms are in another part of the house.
  
  
• Decide whether you want to do mandatory chores and housekeeping. Greeks sometimes save money by not hiring housekeepers, but they often have cooks who prepare meals.
  
  
• Greeks usually have many contacts after college because of the unity they established in the Greek system.
  
  
• Greeks choose their own members, which does not always encourage diversity.
  
  
• Greeks may have to pay fines for failing to do chores, participate in mandatory meetings or attend social functions.