What are the advantages of joining a fraternity?
You immediately have a group of people who share similar interests as you. You not only are part of the fraternity at your particular college, but you are part of a national organization with many chapters and a network of people. This can be important later in life for many reasons (business, social, etc.). Your brothers and you will develop a bond over time--and you will likely keep in touch with them long after you graduate.
What are the disadvantages?
It can get expensive paying dues, being on a meal plan, etc. Also, you quickly become a target for stereotyping. As a pledge or an active, you are closely associated with the organization--and sometimes other people will unfairly judge you based on their likes or dislikes of other people in the fraternity. Not to mention, the pledge period especially will take a lot of your time.
Do the chapters vary much from college to college?
YES-very much so. Chapters often vary a lot depending on the college. The rituals, initiation, etc. are usually the same--but the members of one chapter may be totally different from the members at another.
I don't know if I'm the "fraternity type."
Well, there really is no such thing as a "fraternity type." Members differ a lot from house to house. Chances are, if you *want* to join a fraternity; then you'll probably find the place that's right for you.
Do I have to be a heavy drinker to be in a fraternity?
No, you don't. Fraternities, traditionally, have been known for their huge blow-out parties where alcohol flows freely; but lately there is an effort to curb drinking at frat houses. Certain national organizations have set goals for their chapter to eliminate alcohol by the year 2000. Alcohol does make the parties a hell of a lot more fun; so the non-drinker will probably be in the minority.
How bad is hazing?
That is a very broad question. First, you must establish your personal definition of hazing. Do you consider hazing being forced to clean the house after a party, or do you believe hazing occurs only when someone has been physically beaten? Hazing is something that violates (humiliates, heavily stresses, etc.) you as a human being. How bad hazing is will depend on the college and the fraternity. Ask around and see what you can find out at your school. It doesn't take long for a fraternity to develop a reputation if they haze pledges.
Can I believe what I hear from other people about XYZ Fraternity?
Yes and no. Your best source of information is from a friend or relative who is or was an active of that fraternity at your college. See what information they are willing to share with you. Also, take note of what reputation that fraternity has on campus; but at the same time, don't rely solely on hearsay. Some fraternities gain a reputation for the types of people they typically accept: jocks, rich kids, druggies, heavy drinkers, academics, etc. Some accept people from a certain area or city.
What if a school doesn't have fraternity houses?
question submitted by: Shaunte Jones
If a school does not have fraternity houses, then they probably have a greek dorm, greek wing, something that sectionalizes the greeks. They may just have their parties at local bars or at an apartment or someone's house. For rush, I would imagine that the different fraternities would gather in different rooms (classrooms, meeting rooms, etc.) on campus in order to meet the rushees.
For what reason would you say frats have gotten such a bad image? Do you feel the media is partially responsible?
question submitted by: Casey J Beuchel
I would give much of the blame to the media for the bad image presented about fraternities. We hear of the guy who died from binge drinking at the frat house, or the girl who was raped at a greek bash. The media likes to take these stories and run with them--not blaming the INDIVIDUALS who were at fault, but the fraternity as a whole. This form of stereotyping is unjust, and has caused trouble for the greek system. People who rely heavily on the media now believe not only that XYZ fraternity isn't respectable, but that the whole greek system should be condemned--which is clearly not the case.
Is it hard to get into a fraternity if you are a junior?
question submitted by: Martin
In most cases, yes. Fraternities typically market to freshman and sometimes sophomores--because these people get in and will stay in the system for the duration of college. Juniors and seniors, on the other hand, will only be a member for a maximum of 1 to 2 years. Though this is the general pattern, it is highly dependent on the school as well as rush numbers for that particular rush period. Go through with it, though. One never knows what might happen. If you're liked by the fraternity, they'll get you in somehow.
If you get denied first year rushing, can you re-rush the next year? question submitted by: John
Sure! Let's say, you rush and don't get a bid from any of the houses. Go back through rush and try it again. After a year, you'll probably have met more people and will have a better chance at getting a bid. On the same note, if you rush and get bids from houses you have absolutely no interest in, don't accept them. Don't pledge somewhere you despise, just so that you can pledge. It's a lot smarter to wait until the next year and rush again.
How long does it take for a pledge to become initiated? question submitted by: Kelly
The pledge process varies depending on the school and organization. Typically, sororities hold initiation sooner than fraternities. For a fall rush, many sororities will initiate in mid to late October. For fall rush for fraternities, initiation is typically held right before or right after Christmas Break.
If you have a question that was not answered here, email: fratrush@yahoo.com
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