Fraternities (for guys) and sororities (for girls) are social organizations
designed to give people at college a network of friends or people who share a
common interest. They are represented by Greek letters (e.g., Alpha Chi Rho,
Sigma Delta Tau, etc.). Some of these Greek letter organizations are merely
social, while others are centered around an ethnicity or religious group,
designed for professional advancement or scholastic achievement, or geared
toward community service.
Fraternities and sororities offer a unique
college experience, and there's a special community that you get to be a part of
if you join one. Additionally, you may get the opportunity to live in a
fraternity or sorority house along with other members. Since you usually join
Greek life mid-semester, you won't be able to move into a frat or sorority house
until the next semester at least. This gives you some time to consider the
opportunity carefully.
Financial Considerations
The first thing you
should think about is whether or not living in Greek housing is financially
feasible. At some schools, Greek housing is cheaper than living
off-campus
or in a dorm, while at other schools, it can be much more expensive.
Make
sure you take all living costs into account. For example, rent could be low in
an off-campus apartment, but the cost of utilities and commuting could be high.
One benefit that Greek housing usually offers is close proximity to campus. This
can save you a lot of money on parking fees and commuting costs.
Social and Academic Concerns
There are social pros and cons when
it comes to Greek housing. The major benefit is that you won't have to go far
for social interaction; you'll be surrounded by your fellow fraternity or
sorority members all the time. You'll also have plenty of activities to keep you
busy.
The potential drawback is that you may have trouble focusing on
work if getting constantly distracted by the people you're living with. There's
also a chance that your commitments will increase, so you'll have to ask
yourself if you can handle them.
Greek housing may offer you some
academic advantages, since many schools offer scholarships to Greek students who
thrive academically. You may also have unique opportunities to be mentored,
especially if you and some of your fellow members share the same major.
TIP: Talk to a few alumni who lived in the
fraternity or sorority house you're considering. They should be able to give you
a good idea of what living there would be like.
Every situation is different.
You have your own way of working and interacting, and every fraternity and
sorority is unique as well. Weigh your own personality and preferences against
the pros and cons of living in a specific fraternity or sorority house.
Determine which living scenario available to you (Greek, on-campus, or off), is
best going to meet your personal and academic needs.
