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Every campus is different. I think the campus you'll be on will play a large role in whether or not you decide to go through recruitment. On large or very Greek oriented campuses, the social aspect is probably a large motivator for rushing. There will probably be chapters avaliable to you that don't focus on that, but I don't know if you'll be able to escape that hierarchy mentality. On a smaller or less Greek oriented campus, I think the Greek life tends to be a little more diverse, laid back, and focused. Stereotypes don't apply EVERYWHERE. Talk to the Greek advisor on your campus, and try to talk to students on campus as well, like a tour guide. Be specific. Tell them exactly what you're looking for.
I went through Recruitment because my mom wanted me to. It was also an effortless way to meet people. I ended up accepting a bid because I saw that the sororities on my campus for the most part did NOT meet the stereotypes that I grew up listening to. I've learned so much about interaction, friendship, how to deal with arguements, how to pick battles, how to win battles, how to be a REAL friend, how to be a little less self centered, how to politic...to me it was worth it.
As far as "moral values", every chapter on a campus is different. A Chi O chapter at school A might be the brainer girls and at school B might be the artsy girls and at school C might be the pretty girls...you get the picture. Every sorority differs at every school. That's why it's important to learn more about your specific campus. It's my impression that at schools where Greek life is king, there tends to be more pressure to fit in. Sometimes that might mean bending morals. Now this does NOT mean that all sorority girls at a Greek oriented school are sluts. Anyone with strong moral convictions can "just say no". It's just hard to have those at 18, sometimes. It also does NOT mean that every chapter on the campus is like that. I think at smaller schools the pressure is lessened, so it might be a little easier to "just say no". The fact is, though, sorority or not, college is a time for experiementation for a lot of people. It doesn't have to be, but I think that that's a common factor in college life Greek or not.
Again, the fraternity/sorority relationship differs school to school, chapter to chapter. And as far as drunk fraternity guys go...try going to a party with ANY college guys, regardless of affiliation and lack thereof and NOT get hit on. They're guys. They just do that. For me, I haven't noticed a difference between the two. They both do it. There are plenty of ways to meet guys without alcohol, though. Mixers, for instance, are a good way to hang out in groups and meet new guys.
I think the first step for you is, once you know for sure where you are going to college, talk to the Greek Advisor on your campus, and try to get the opinion of students both Greek and non Greek. See what they say, and then try to make your decision based on that. If nothing else, feel free to go through Recruitment for the heck of it. If you decide that Greek life is not for you, you are not required to finish the process. But it won't hurt to try, and you'll meet lots of new girls in the process.
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