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Originally Posted by squack
1. One major issue is time. I'll be going to the engineering school and may be pre-med (so the GPA must stay relatively high), so I'll have to take five, and maybe six, tough classes (chemistry, calculus, that sort). I know it's hard to say exactly, but how time consuming is pledging and being a member?
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The new member period lasts 6-8 weeks for the NPC groups. There are usually weekly new member meetings that you must attend. Chapter meetings may or may not be optional. They are often held at the same time. In addition, there will be other activities that may be required or optional. It is best to discuss your intense class load with the members of each chapter to get a feel for the time commitment required. You will probably find most of them are in the same boat, and make it work.
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2. I'm also wondering how seriously do sorority members take Greek life--like, are most of the sisters close? I found it odd that there are only four Panhellenic sororities at Columbia. Is being Greek looked down upon or is it that most people aren't that aware?
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No, not all the sisters are close but they are almost always supportive of each other. You won't be friends with every single girl, but you will have many close friends that you may not have met otherwise. It's like any large group. I don't know how GLOs are viewed on Columbia's campus, so I can't answer that one. I don't find it odd at all that there are only 4 NPCs there - it is a competive NE school and Greek Life is much smaller, overall, in the NE.
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3. I've heard that sorority fees can range from a couple hundred to a couple thousand. On average how much are sorority dues per semester at Columbia?
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The Student Life office should have those figures and the chapters are required to tell you that information during recruitment. Unless there is a house on campus and you are living-in, the cost should not range into the thousands. Keep in mind, however, that the dues costs may not include all social events and do not include extras like shirts, party favors, etc.