I can post the 2012 numbers later this week (long work day today, then leave for a conference). Total registered is just below 2011 #s; percentage receiving a bid is approximately the same.
UCLA is the best "bargain" as far as the costs of living in a sorority house vs. dorms or apartments. The cost of a dorm for a year (double occupancy, 19 meals/week) is in the $15,000 range.
http://map.ais.ucla.edu/go/1005183 (I picked De Neve Hall as a lot of freshmen live here.)
Living Off-Campus: An average 2BR/1BA apartment is in the $2800 range -- so $700/mo if you split with 3 other people = $7000 for 10 months, but most apartments have you sign a year lease. Add in your utilities (gas, electric, internet, cable) and groceries for the year, and you're getting into the $15K & over range. (I'm also a Property Manager & the company I work for has apartment buildings in Westwood Village, so I have actual rent costs. Incidentally, I rented out a 14-unit building last spring and asked all the women if they were interested in Recruitment. Three went thru this past fall -- 2 are Thetas, 1 is a DG!)
Cost of living in a sorority house is in the $8-12K range (depending on the house). THAT IS WITH DUES, INITIATION FEES AND YOUR PIN!
Please don't say that date parties and raids (mixers between fraternities & sororities) put you over the total of dorms or off-campus. EVERY student will have entertainment costs.
ggforever, the people you met do not have correct info, or manipulating the data for an excuse (sour grapes).
The good news is that many of the sororities will be going thru Spring Recruitment (April). UCLA has a lot of students who graduate a quarter early (quarter-system vs. semester-system), so there will be several that will have New Member classes of XX (I need to ask if I can same actual #s). Additionally, AGD will be colonizing in Fall 2013. There are so many opportunities!