Choosing colleges, did Greek life matter?

[FuzzieAlum]

I was wondering, what role did the presence of Greek life on campus play when you were deciding what college to attend? Did it matter at all? Did the presence of a specific organization matter?

I was thinking about my own college choice. While I was looking for a campus where Greek life was not influential, I ended up applying to three schools with Greek life and one without. And I obviously changed my mind about being involved once I got there and saw the reality rather than just stereotypes.

[TrojanWoman]

I knew that I wanted to be in a sorority, but it was not a deciding factor in my college choices.

I was being recruited to play soccer and one of the things I did ask all of the coaches is if they allowed their players to join a sorority. My favorite response was "I guess. None of my players has ever wanted to do that before so I don't really know."

[AGDee]

The only thing that mattered to me was whether they had my major and how much scholarship money they were going to give me.

[lilzetakitten]

Yes, actually. It came down to 2 schools for me. One had Greek life, one did not. While this wasn't the only factor that made me choose my school over the other, I knew I at least wanted the opportunity to join a sorority.

[tld221]

im sure this question has been discussed, but greek life had no bearing on my choosing a college. it wasnt on my radar at all. sororities dont pay tuition. if so, i need to call my HQ and tell them to get in touch with Sallie Mae!

[DSTRen13]

I didn't care about it at all, personally. I've never understood when people choose a school in order to pledge, but to each their own, I suppose.

[RaggedyAnn]

I chose a school that had Greek Life because I wanted the option...though I chose to wait until sophomore year to pledge.

[Tom Earp]

Because of college costs and not knowing anything about greeks I could have cared less.

But becoming a little more informed in my first school, I could really not have cared as played base ball and tennis.

Second school was totally different. After the fact of course, cost was the first priority and then greek became very important .

I simply found something that I wanted and went for it.

I have never looked back with any regrets.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by FuzzieAlum

I was wondering, what role did the presence of Greek life on campus play when you were deciding what college to attend? Did it matter at all?

None.

[atomicflowers]

what mattered most to me was academics - my school has an excellent nursing program - and also being close to home because my father was terminally ill with pancreatic cancer. i actually never thought about joining a sorority at the time.

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by FuzzieAlum

I was wondering, what role did the presence of Greek life on campus play when you were deciding what college to attend? Did it matter at all? Did the presence of a specific organization matter?

Good to see you around!

As for me, yes, Greek Life had everything to do with the schools to which I applied. Or, I should say, my mother was instrumental - I applied to no school that didn't have my legacy chapter there.

[alum]

The presence of Greek Life did not matter in my college applications. I applied to 2 Jesuit schools (ND and College of the Holy Cross) as well as Annapolis in addition to 3 universities with a small presence of Greek life. Obviously I ended up at a school with Greek Life but that was not even in my decision process when I was making my final decision.

It did matter to my daughter. She wanted a school with Greek Life. Although I was neutral on this issue, I think she recalled all the wonderful experiences that I have had as a connected alumna. Her Fighting Irish great-uncle really wanted her to apply to ND (and bribed her with the Uncle Joe Scholarship ) but she ended up not pursuing it because of the lack of Greek Life (and the rotten weather).

My son talks about being a xxx (my brother's fraternity) at Carnegie Mellon or being a zoomie at USAFA. GEN Alum is not pleased....

[libelle]

Good question. I did not make a choice based on whether there were sororities or not. But I was aware of how my religion may affect my sorority options at different schools.

My cousin chose a school with no Greek system on purpose. A good friend of mine chose a school with none of her legacy chapters (Kappa, Chi O, Pi Phi and Theta) because she did not want to deal with the family drama.

[lauralaylin]

When I was applying, I had the stereotypes in my head and preferred a school without Greek life. I think none had Greek life besides my safety. However, I ended up going to my safety because I couldn't afford anything else, and I obviously changed my mind about rushing.

[FuzzieAlum]

Thanks, Honeychile. I've been buried in grad-school land.