[bluethunder]

i would say that 9 times out of 10, a high school student is incapable of making an informed decision as to what greek organization they would prefer to join for several reasons...
one, they haven't spent enough time on a college campus to see any particular organization in action and they haven't had enough interaction with members on a said campus to say which group is truly who they fit in best with-- you can only get so much of a feel for an organization based on going to a web site or checking out a chapter's home page. you need to meet and talk to people in depth. a high school student has not been allowed such an opportunity.

also,as we already know, most people have only heard of a few of the nine NPHC sororities and fraternies prior to coming to college. i didn't know a thing about sigma gamma rho before i came to college and had i not INVESTIGATED all my options, i would have missed out on one of the greatest opportunities for growth in my life! my whole family is DST and had i only based my intent to join a sorority on what i knew without looking any further to see what other organizations were out there, i probably wouldn't be rocking the blue and gold right now!

i also want to point out that perceptions and stereotypes is all a lot of people not on the collegiate scene get exposed to: who stepped the best at the show or who the pretty girls or the fat girls are or who's the most crunk--whatever. so until you have been properly exposed, you may "think" you want to join a particular org. based on assumptions and perceptions that are not based on realities and sound judgement.

and lastly, although legacy is a beautiful thing, just because your mama did it doesn't make it right for you! just becuase it is the most well known frat or sorority doesn't make it right for you! moreover, GREEK LIFE ISN'T FOR EVERYONE in the first place! you can't make that kind of decision based on surface knowledge that you have prior to being adequately exposed to greeks on campus as well as in the community.

knowing all the RHOads that i could have taken, but still choosing what i did in light of all my options--that is the beauty of an informed decision. i hope i have been of some help... i hope that this post gets LOTS of responses!