Fraternity house. - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:1_Webster_
Greek life: is it for you? Before rushing or pledging, here are some advantages of fraternity and sorority life for you to think about.
Is fraternity or sorority membership right for you? Greek life can be a rewarding and fun part of your college experience, but it is also a significant investment of time and money that doesn’t suit everybody’s personalities. Before joining a fraternity or sorority, you’ll want to determine whether Greek life is a commitment you can and want to make.
To help you make this decision, here are some advantages that often come with joining a fraternity or sorority. Be sure to also read about the disadvantages.
- Fun. Want to fill up your social schedule? Join a fraternity or sorority and you’ll have more social events than you’ll ever be able to attend. When will you ever have a chance in your life to have this much fun?
- Friendship and community. Even though college campuses are full of people, they can be very lonely places when you don’t know anyone and haven’t found your niche. Greek life provides an easy way to meet people, make friends, and join a community. And membership to a Greek organization is for life, so you’ll always have a network of friends to fall back upon. Many campuses offer ethnic or religious fraternities and sororities, which can be a great way to find a comfortable home on a big campus.
- Housing. Dormitory space and off-campus housing can be a scarce on many college campuses, so membership to a fraternity or sorority that provides an actual house can be a big advantage. On some campuses, the Greeks have the nicest housing around! Here's more about the advantages and disadvantages of Greek housing.
- Networking. When you’re looking for a job a few years from now, your skill set often is not as important as your connections. This is unfortunate, but it’s a reality. Greek membership is a great way to connect with people, both in your pledge class and through members who have graduated and joined the working world.
- Dating. Fraternity/sorority mixers—need I say more?Just be careful if what you’re looking for is dating material; some of the people you’ll meet in the Greek system are looking for, well, something else. But that’s true everywhere.
- Leadership opportunities. Greek membership offers opportunities in the local chapter and in your school’s Greek council as well. Great résumé material.
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Naomi Rockler-Gladen - Instructional designer and freelance writer, Naomi Rockler-Gladen writes some of Suite101's most read work.
