[bolingbaker]

You are right about the range of strong and weak chapters within each national fraternity. I did not intend to suggest that a particular fraternity be selected based on their national reputation. I do believe however that strong, aggressive chapters tend to attract strong, aggressive men. Some chapters tend to remain near the top of the pecking order for generations. There are some fluctuations, as you pointed out, the those ships tend to right themselves. They generally produce, not the 'best' men, but certainly the most prominent leaders compared to weaker fraternities. Choose a dozen famous names of fraternity men of accomplishment, and they are overwhelmingly from strong chapters. I believe you can find brotherhood in just about any house, but you will be motivated toward success in only the right atmosphere. brotherhood is like automobiles. All fraternities have brotherhood, just as all automobiles have tires. But, some cars are Geos, and some cars are Jaguars.
If any young man did decide to choose a fraternity based on national reputation alone, he could hardly do better than to choose your own Beta Theta Pi. You have much to be proud of.