What are the elite sororities?
 

I saw someone say fourth-rate sorority? What are the elite sororities?

[QUOTE]Originally posted by GreekGoddess:
[B]Kappa Kappa Gamma, Kappa Alpha Theta, Delta Gamma, Pi Beta Phi, and Delta Delta Delta

Sigma Kappa and Alpha Phi are also popular in a lot of places.

I'd actually have to agree with you there. We should probably add Gamma Phi Beta and Chi Omega. These would be the older, larger and, generally speaking, stronger houses.

On the east coast I find the opposite University of Maryland has the only GPhiB Chapter in the state. At least in Maryland, Phi Sigma Sigma, Kappa Delta, AOPi, and ZTA are the larger sororities. So I think this shows that it varies from state to state or even region to region.

Dont forget Alpha Delta Pi and Phi Mu. ADP was the first GLO for woman and Phi Mu is the second oldest and fourth largest organization for woman in the nation.

I think it is terrible that you can say what the "elite" sororities are. A sorority is something that is special to you, and being "elite" should have nothing to do with it. How do you decide what "elite" is? Is it simply numbers? Or founding date? Or number of famous alumni?

Without being completely biased, I happen to think that Alpha Chi Omega is an extremely prestigious sorority. However, I haven't seen it mentioned at all within any of the posts. We have exceptionally large numbers throughout the country and are known for our fine reputation, as many other sororities are.

Please stop worrying about prestige. A sorority can only be important when you give your love and support to it, and receive similar attributes in return.

Ok, even though nobody is supposed to talk about this and if going through rush you should pick the house that to you feels like home which is very true.
If you had to pick the sterotypically "elite sororities they would be (maybe not at your school but overall)....
Kappa Kappa Gamma, Kappa Alpha Theta, Delta Gamma, Pi Beta Phi, and Delta Delta Delta

No, they are not always "the best" but we're talking about sterotypes. Sigma Kappa and Alpha Phi are also popular in a lot of places. The orgin of these sororities being concidered elite over others would be that they were started the earliest and all of them helped start Panhellenic council. However there are 26 sororites in the PHC and all are wonderful organizations. Thanks -GG

also- I was just speaking in terms of the PHC sororites here. Sorry to the NPHC and locals. I just don't know a lot about you.

Don't forget Delta Zeta if you are looking for a Social Sorority, we are one of the largest International Sororities in the World. I was once told we were the largest, but I don't think that is true any longer.

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Mikki Gates
Delta Zeta Alum
Kappa Mu Chapter
Sigma Alpha Iota Alum
Eta Tau Chapter

"I would rather have thirty minutes of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special."

--Julia Roberts
(Steel Magnolias)

Visit me at:
http://homepages.go.com/~dzkm433/index.html
and
http://www.calypso.com/dzkm433/welcomtomyworld.chtml

When you consider the small percentage of people who attend college...

and the even smaller percentage of that who are lucky enough to be part of a sorority...

I think we're all pretty doggone "elite"!

In all seriousness, I'm getting kind of sick of seeing questions like this on here. In case you haven't gotten it yet from the 10,000 times we've all said it, the BEST organization is the one that is BEST FOR YOU. If the only reason you want to join this one or that is because of its "prestige," please don't even bother getting involved because that is NOT what greek life is about.

Ok, to clear things up...
I was not talking about which organizations are "the best" because of course you have to go to the place that is best for you. That is common sense. However, anyone involved in the greek community knows that traditionally certain GTO's have been concidered "elite", not that this should ever be a reason for joining one house over another. All that I was doing is answering a question that was asked. These tradionally "elite" reputations do exist and repeating the "chose what is best for you" message is not an honest anwser. I think that part of moving beyond the bad rep that sororities have had for a long time now is to admit that there have been times when sororities have been elite, snobby, slutty, have been involved in hazing, incouraged bad drinking habits ect. To admit that these problems have existed and that we as a whole are not proud of them is to move back in the direction of the high ideals an principles that our founders all set out for us. It is ok to say "yes this is what we have done" as long as we also say "but this is where we're going". Honesty is the key here people.-GG

Tri-Delt's and Delta Gamma's are the girls

I'm inclined to agree with the first reply–

Kappas, Thetas, DG's, and Pi Phi's are considered the top 4 at my school. But because they are "in demand," they all have bad attitudes and are full of themselves. Fuck that. I wish I knew more girls in Chi Omega.

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andrew watters
Theta Chi – ucla

At my school we had these sororites(while I was an undergraduate)

Alpha Omicron Pi (Elite)
Chi Omega (Elite)
Alpha Phi (Elite)
Gamma Phi Beta (semi-elite)
Phi Mu (not elite)
Zeta Tau Alpha (not elite)

and after I graduated I heard Alpha Xi Delta came to our school but I'm not sure about how they stand. Our sororities were pretty large and we had something like 16 fraternities on campus.

Kevin Mullinix
Beta Theta Pi Alum
Epsilon Mu Chapter
George Mason University

The most elite sororities in my opinion are Alpha Sigma Tau, Alpha Phi, and Kappa Kappa Gamma.

The sorority that is "elite" is the one that is right for you. Only then will it be "elite" and that's in your heart. Sororities-all sororities have the same premise-helping others in whatever way your organization sees fit. So in that respect...aren't we all elite...???

Sigma Gamma Rho
Beta Omicron Fall 98

Get over it. SGR - this post is not about disrespecting some peoples organizations. As GreekGoddess rather eloquently pointed out, some organizations simply have more name recognition and associated prestige attached to them. To answer the question posed honestly we must acknowledge the truth. This does NOT mean that any group that didn't make our silly little "list" is somehow lesser in terms of your individual experience within your chosen group on your campus. I would also like to point out that a similar question was asked for IFC fraternities and there didn't seem to be as much outcry against the question. (Just my two cents.)

You all must remember that it varies from school to school!

For example, I noticed a few posts that said AOII are elite. At my school, during rush, girls would rather put down chapters that had dropped them the first night than to risk getting a bid by AOII. Thier chapter got shut down and we don't have to worry about them for a couple of years.

I've alway considered the rest of the chapters at my school to be elite or at least damn close.
We have (In ALPHABETICAL ORDER):
Alpha Chi Omega
Chi Omega
Delta Delta Delta
Delta Gamma
Kappa Kappa Gamma
Kappa Alpha Theta
Pi Beta Phi
Sigma Kappa

I went to a very small school in West Virginia, we only had 4 social sororities: Alpha Sigma Tau, Delta Zeta, Phi Sigma Sigma, and Sigma Sigma Sigma. We had 5 fraternities, but one lost it's charter, they are: Alpha Chi Rho, Lambda Chi Alpha, Phi Sigma Kappa, Theta Xi, Tau Kappa Epsilon. Those are the only one's I've experienced first hand, and I really consider all of the sororities elite. But because it's a small school in a small town, in a poor state, I think that all MUST be pretty elite nationally to make it there. But then again, that's just my opinion. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif



[This message has been edited by mgdzkm433 (edited May 30, 2000).]

I think we all know that there are sororities nationally that are “elite” and ones that are not. (Since there are 3 times more NIC fraternities than NPC sororities, I think that’s why people didn’t go off on this question on the fraternity side.)

But I think with the problems the Greek system is having today, all the Greeks - individually, locally, and nationally - have to get together and help each other out, and that includes not furthering stereotypes. If we keep saying “ABC is prestigious” and “XYZ sucks” all 26 sororities will never get on an equal footing. Any organization is only as strong as its weakest link, NPC included.

I’m not accusing anyone of disrespect, and I know people are just honestly answering a question. There was a thread a few months ago where I said I thought it would be a bad idea to post hazing or disciplinary stories on here because people (including prospective rushees) would see “ABC” and “hazing” together and that’s all they would remember. The same goes on this – if you keep seeing “ABC is not elite” eventually it makes an impression on your mind, even if this is just a message board. I only replied to a question like this once, because I had something positive to say. Not to be Mary Poppins about it, but if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.

Stepping off soapbox.

Thanx and much love 2 all of yall who posted, just to get a wide perspective how bout naming some of the elite BGLOs.

We all found what was special in our own organization and that makes it elite for each of us! I will say this though, at my school, the so-called "elite" sorority just lost about 65% of its sisterhood due to cocaine abuse!!! They have also been called before campus affairs because of their ritual - one of the new members about to go over refused to get in a coffin in order to be initiated. Of course they couldn't prove it since ritual is secret, but still... If being "elite" means that then I'll do without! I'd rather have sisters that I can call on anytime than call myself (or my chapter) elite!

Honestly to answer your question from the beginning, everyone wants to believe that their own sorority or fraternity is known as "elite" or even the best. And every person on here could tell you that their own is elite or the best for different reasons such as how old they are, or how big they are at their school but the thing is, everywhere you go things are different. Some of the sororities that everyone thinks are the best, don't even exist at some schools. And boy do they change from state to state, I am a phi mu, and my cousin went to a school that had it, but it's just not the same at her school, she's now an achio, and she loves it,that was for her. So, when you say it is not about what is in your heart, you are wrong. It's about taking what you have to give, finding the people that you want to give it to, and making those friendships "elite" that is what's important.

I just happened on this site by accident and found it so interesting, having been in a sorority a few years ago myself. It's sad that this attitude still haunts rushees and sisters nationwide. My campus had a relatively large greek system and, coming from a small town, I was a little intimidated. During rush my freshman year, I cut all the houses I heard "sucked" or weren't any good for whatever reason. I saved 2 "elite houses" for pref night, and guess what -- I got cross cut. I didn't figure out what happened until I was a rush counselor a few years later. Anyway, the next year I rushed again with a new attitude and chose a house new on campus that didn't yet have a reputation. We didn't have a fancy house and ended up years later not being one of the "elite." But now after I've graduated, I'm happy with my choice because I've remained friends with so many of them, despite distance. I guess I wouldn't have fit into one of the so-called "elite" sororities -- I've met many of their members over the years and have found so many to be shallow and overly-concerned with their reputations and presence. What's important about sorority life is the acceptance, independence, group activities, self-esteem, motivation, togetherness ... I could go on and on. My sisters are doctors, CPAs, consultants, Olympians, along my me -- the lawyer, and I owe a lot of my success to those years in the sorority. Be mature and honest in your evaluation and decisions regarding those sororities.

in order of founding:

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.

You're right Kappa-girl. Several different groups claim to be the "oldest." I think the way it goes is ADPi was the first secret collegiate society for women. Pi Phi was the first to expand to another school, making them the first national. Also Theta was the first to found themselves with a greek name and specifically modeled after the men's groups. Therefore, they all claim to the first - and I guess they are all sort of right.

Ya know what? You are completely right about ADP and Phi Mu being the first GLO's. However, I think it is interesting that Pi Beta Phi takes the claim of being the first. So in their eyes, they must be the elite?

Well put

I'm not clear on everything but out of these nine, which would you say are the elite?

The elite sororites in the nine are:

(In order of founding: )

Alpha Kappa Alpha
Delta Sigma Theta
Zeta Phi Beta
Sigma Gamma Rho



[This message has been edited by ZetaAce (edited June 02, 2000).]

Thanks ZetaAce http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif

and the elite fraternities out of the nine are, in order of founding:

Alpha Phi Alpha
Kappa Alpha Psi
Omega Psi Phi
Phi Beta Sigma
Iota Phi Theta

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Kelli
12-DN-94
SSU c/o 1997

I have two words
Go Kappa (...Kappa Gamma)
: ) Actually, I am biased, obviously! All sororities are good in one way or another. And we all have our "bad seeds" in our pledge classes! But, the best advice is to choose based upon who has been rushing you, and how you fit with the girls in the organization. There are alot of factors that influence your decision. As for me, my mom and my aunt were in the same sorority as I am at a southern university, and I came here and absolutely loved the girls. Our chapter is steeped in tradition. So that happens sometimes, you just find a group of girls that seem to fit you. And big piece of advice- which you are already doing, ask around, get people's opinions-of course it is your own that will be the most important...

I think I can clarify the misunderstandings regarding the "first female GLO" debate.

ADPi was formerly The Adelphian Society
(the earliest NPC sisterhood ever founded which is presently under a Greek Letter name)

Phi Mu was The Philomathean Society
Pi Beta Phi was I.C. Sorosis

I think I.C. Sorosis was the first ever to change its name to a Greek Letter name, so I suppose it could be said to be the first ever Greek letter society, by the taking on of Greek Letters.

However, The Adelphian Society existed before I.C. Sororis did, even though it changed its name after IC Sorosis.

Kappa Alpha Theta was the first ever sisterhood to be founded using Greek Letters; that is, it did not have a former name.

After reading all this i'm still confused as to what the word "elite" implies exactly. can someone define this?

I think it is funny to read some of these sororities. Only two of them exist in my state that I know of, at least out of the original list. In my state there are two "state" Univsersities and three smaller ones. Out of them, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Tri Delt, Sigma Kappa, AOPi, AGD, KD and DZ are the largest. That seems funny to me.

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If your going to go greek, why not be a goddess?

I'd have to agree that the definition of elite is being confused with "the best". I think of ELITE as being ranked top in numbers and grades and other criteria. Obviously what I consider elite will be different from what others think is "elite".
Another thing too, to keep in mind, is that some GLOs are stronger in certain areas of the country than in others. I noticed on a map my National Chapter has on their webpage, our GLO is prodominately found in the Midwest, South, and East Coast. So to someone on the West Coast my GLO may not seem Elite because they don't know of it. All things to take into perspective.
I think we're ALL Elite :P

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What do you get when you cross an Alpha Omicron Pi and a Sigma Phi Epsilon? A beautiful Chi Omega!
~Love ya mom & dad :)

Not saying that these are the "best"(or the "worst" for that matter) NPHC sororities, but in the South the so-called "elite"(using the term loosely) sororities are Alpha Kappa Alpha and Delta Sigma Theta. Though it does vary from campus to campus they are generally the most popular for whatever reasons. On my campus you hardly hear of anyone wanting to join Sigma Gamma Rho or Zeta Phi Beta. In my opinion the ladies of ALL of the sororities are elite in their own way and they all command and deserve respect.

I've always heard that SGRho is THE NPHC sorority to join in Indiana. Makes sense. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

I would have to disagree, I currently attend the University of Maryland and the most elite and biggest sororities right now are Tri-Delt, KD, and Theta, and AOPi is pretty big too. But Zeta and Phi Sig arent that big here right now.

I don't know about the "elitest" sorority but I know for a fact that Chi-Omega is the largest sorority right now. 1 out of every 4 girls is a XO. As for the "best sorority" there really isn't one!!!! we are all good in our own ways and have our own strengths and weaknesses. As for the more popular with the numbers it totally depends on the school you are at, every house is different at every school! Who cares about stero types anyway find a sorority you fit in with and enjoy being a sister!!!

XO love

AXO is elite at my school,

To Torn01 and AlphaChiGirl,

Please keep in mind what my Soror ZetaAce said a few posts prior to mine.

AKA, DST, Zeta and SGRho are ALL ELITE SORORITIES.

Choosing the sorority (or fraternity) that is right for you is an important PERSONAL decision. Just because you know an individual or several individuals who have picked one sorority over the other three doesn't mean that one is more "elite" than the others.

It simply means that person or persons have exercised their right to choose.