I NEED ADVICE

I am a senior in high school and am very new to the whole greek scene. anyway, i'm thinkin about joining one in college but i need some advice. i dont really mind some drinking but im not really into the whole "LETS GET SMASHED" mentality and dont want to be hazed, yet thats all i hear about when i hear frat anything. am I just way out of line in wanting to pledge one or am I hearing the wrong things? p.s. im lookin at going to U of Ten, bama, or auburn if that helps at all

[Benzgirl]

Originally Posted by parrott

I am a senior in high school and am very new to the whole greek scene. anyway, i'm thinkin about joining one in college but i need some advice. i dont really mind some drinking but im not really into the whole "LETS GET SMASHED" mentality and dont want to be hazed, yet thats all i hear about when i hear frat anything. am I just way out of line in wanting to pledge one or am I hearing the wrong things? p.s. im lookin at going to U of Ten, bama, or auburn if that helps at all

Here is my advice: Enjoy High School, don't call it a "frat", and it's U of Tenn, Auburn and Bama

yea sorry but whats the difference between frat and fraternity

[kathykd2005]

The term "frat" is considered an insult to members of certain organizations.

[whittleschmegg]

Originally Posted by parrott

yea sorry but whats the difference between frat and fraternity

the way it was explained to me when I first started looking into greek life was you wouldn't call your COUNTRY A C!@T... so why call your fraternity a frat.

The word Frat has negetive stereotype attached to it more animal house party mentality when you hear the word Frat. When I hear the word Fraternity I think of men not boys. A group of people who have a purpose try to carry it out the best of their ability, work towards a common goal, respect themselves their organizations and others.

Originally Posted by whittleschmegg

the way it was explained to me when I first started looking into greek life was you wouldn't call your COUNTRY A C!@T... so why call your fraternity a frat.

The word Frat has negetive stereotype attached to it more animal house party mentality when you hear the word Frat. When I hear the word Fraternity I think of men not boys. A group of people who have a purpose try to carry it out the best of their ability, work towards a common goal, respect themselves their organizations and others.

Oh ok gotcha. thanks man im really new to this stuff

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by whittleschmegg

the way it was explained to me when I first started looking into greek life was you wouldn't call your COUNTRY A C!@T... so why call your fraternity a frat.

Did we really go there AGAIN?

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

Did we really go there AGAIN?

why yes, yes we did.

[SoCalGirl]

Here's my advice to anyone concerned that maybe they won't fit in or it will be everything they fear. Go through rush/recruitment. If you get a bid at some place you like, then pledge. If stuff gets shady, you can bail. If they're raging drunks and you're not cool with that, you can bail. Pledging is meant for the chapter and the new members to get to know each other. It's not until you're initiated that you're a member for life.

[SthrnZeta]

Sigh. NOW I get it...

[SoCalGirl]

^Get what?

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by whittleschmegg

the way it was explained to me when I first started looking into greek life was you wouldn't call your COUNTRY A C!@T... so why call your fraternity a frat.

The way it was explained to you is stupid. Especially in the thread that has already mentioned U of Tenn and Bama.

The word Frat has negetive stereotype attached to it more animal house party mentality when you hear the word Frat. When I hear the word Fraternity I think of men not boys. A group of people who have a purpose try to carry it out the best of their ability, work towards a common goal, respect themselves their organizations and others.

This is the reasonable explanation. It has nothing to do with shortening words being disrespectful and everything to do with the connotation many have with the word "frat."

[Tom Earp]

Originally Posted by parrott

I am a senior in high school and am very new to the whole greek scene. anyway, i'm thinkin about joining one in college but i need some advice. i dont really mind some drinking but im not really into the whole "LETS GET SMASHED" mentality and dont want to be hazed, yet thats all i hear about when i hear frat anything. am I just way out of line in wanting to pledge one or am I hearing the wrong things? p.s. im lookin at going to U of Ten, bama, or auburn if that helps at all

First, figure out what school you are going to attend then think about the other things.

Each of the schools you mentioned have very good fraternal organizations.

Next, keep your eyes and ears open and try to meet members. Check out their local and national web sites to get and idea about each. Also, on the local web sites, there should be a contact email address that you can contact stating that your will be attending that school.

Go through recruitment to get to know more members of each and see their opporations.

You will more than likely find there will be one or two that stands out to you and you will feel right about.

Remember, they select you so put your best foot forward. Most do not in the getting "smashed at partys anymore type thing".

If you find some that do this or haze, run the other way asap.

If you feel so inclined, please PM me.

[whittleschmegg]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

The way it was explained to you is stupid. Especially in the thread that has already mentioned U of Tenn and Bama

This is how it was explained to me, I didn't know it was in another thread, and I apologize if I offended anybody by my choice of words.

[CamiloDU]

Honestly, being in high school, I can't imagine who you'd be talking to about fraternities or sororities. If all you hear about a fraternity is their drinking habits, and that's the way they're presenting themselves to you, if i can be forward, don't join that one. A fraternity really shouldn't be simply about drinking and partying. Social life, yes, alcoholism, no. Also, I won't lie, it's been a pretty good indicator of where the fraternity is going as a whole.

As for hazing... you'll get it where you get it. If you really check out a fraternity and its members (which you'll have ample opportunity to do during rush week) then you'll be able to tell whether or not you'll be hazed. Either way, there are policies against hazing, so I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Just research the fraternities at the schools you're looking at, and choose a couple you want to visit based on their national values and their chapter website. Go there, check out the members, if you get a bid to one you want, roll with it. It'll be more than worth it.

Good luck, and go gators ;P