Greek Life Vs. Apartment Life

If you’ve ever set foot on campus during Rush Week, then you already know what a frenzy it is. Everyone and their dog is trying to get into a fraternity or sorority. And if you’re considering making the switch, keep a few things in mind.

1. If your sorority or fraternity has a house, you may be expected to live there. Not all fraternities and sororities have a house. But if they do, there’s a chance they may request you live there. This helps the group keep track of members, plan activities and parties, and in general, keep order.

2. If your sorority or fraternity doesn’t have a house, they may want to party at your place. Check out the rules for parties and guests at your student apartment complex before you sign on the dotted line and start living the Greek life. And certainly never promise anything to your Greek pals until you’ve okayed it with the apartment manager (and your roommates) first.

3. Sorority and fraternity houses have shared bedrooms and bathrooms. Remember that everyone in your fraternity or sorority will be attending most of the same parties and activities as you are. There may be a bathroom schedule or you may have to fight for your right to shower and shave. And don’t forget that you may not have the option of choosing your roommate. When you move into your Greek house, you’ll be assigned whichever bed is open.

4. That being said, you may not have the 100% privacy or even 50% privacy you enjoyed at your dorm or in your student apartment. Your frat brothers and sorority sisters will want to be around you a great deal of the time and, like family, may begin to get on your nerves. If you tend to be a private person who needs plenty of alone time, moving into the Greek life may not be the right choice for you.

5. Not all fraternity and sorority houses have laundry facilities. Many fraternities and sororities are housed in old mansions and may not all be up-to-date with the latest technologies—yeah, not even laundry. Ask before you sign on to move in so you’ll know how far you have to go to get some clean skivvies.

6. Being in a fraternity or sorority is not free. The most important thing for you to remember is that being a part of the Greek life is not like being a part of the Academic Team. Fraternities and sororities earn their own money through donations, fundraisers, and the dues and fees paid by their members.

7. But none of that makes Greek life bad. Many students who choose the Greek life have an easier time finding a job and moving out of their crummy student apartments immediately after college has ended. They also gain great life experience as well as skills that will make them valuable in the work force.

1. 

   Ian says:

   August 26, 2009 at 2:52 pm

   I’m glad I hung in there for point #7.:)