Greek life and grades

My son is about to transfer to a big state university and will probably be going through rush to join a fraternity. He is very socially oriented, people seem to like him and I have no doubt that there will be fraternities that want him to join. My main concern is the effect that being a member of a fraternity will have on his grades, his ability to study, and his academic focus. I would like to hear from anyone with experience of the effect of greek life on academics.

[DeltAlum]

Hello,

Speaking as another parent, and as a volunteer alumni advisor (Division Vice President) I can understand your concern.

Greek Letter Organizations vary widely from chapter to chapter, and university to university.

I can tell you that, on a national level, all fraternities and sororities take academics very seriously. We have minimum GPA levels for pledging and for initiation. In all honesty, some local chapters are less grade oriented than others. If grades are important to your son, he should check where the chapter stands in regard to the All Fraternity and All Male averages on his prospective campus.

Greek organizations ask for a fairly heavy time committment in terms of meetings, philanthropy, social activities and chapter governance, but many also include "study tables" as part of that time in the early college years. In most the chapter GPA is very important, so the group has an investment in his success.

The important thing is to carefully check out the national organization and local chapter involved before pledging. This goes beyond academics to things such as alcohol awareness programs, no hazing policy and other things as well.

I hope this answers some of your questions and concerns.

If there is a Delta Tau Delta Chapter on the campus where your son will attend, please check our website at www.delts.org for more information. Most other greek organizations also have sites on the internet. Many chapters also have websites.

Sincerely,

DeltAlum

... his ability to study, and his academic focus. I would like to hear from anyone with experience of the effect of greek life on academics.[/B][/QUOTE]

Soon to be greek parent...
I know that at my school, greeks were required by Greek Council to maintain a certain GPA per organization...and the grades your son receives will determine the time he is required to sit at a table in the library! Sometimes up to 19 hours a week, if you can believe it!

[AOX81]

The greeks in my area have no problems maintaining a specific grade point average...we usually have the highest grade points at our school.

[shadokat]

soon2be--

I am a regional director for my sorority. I know our sorority offers really good study programs like study buddies, where members are paired up with another member in their major or with related majors and they study together and motivate each other in terms of academics. We also have incentive programs for women who get the highest GPA, the most improved GPA and so on. Usually, they get to go to the formal (big event!) for free, which is a big deal.

In any case, it will vary from chapter to chapter, but your son should be asking questions about academics when he attends rush so he can find out where he will be supported academically. All national organizations have programs in place.

Best of luck to your son, and check out fraternity websites once he chooses an organization. Some of them offer information to parents and that sort of thing.



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[dzrose93]

Dear Soon to be Greek Parent,

On most campusus, the average GPA for Greek students is higher than that of non-Greeks. It's because Greek organizations stress academics as a number one priority. I don't know how all groups do it, but my sorority had a minimum GPA that each member must maintain in order to participate in social activities. Trust me when I say that NO ONE wanted to miss out because of grades - so it was a great incentive to study. We also had study hours set up each week, both in the library and at home, that we were expected to use.

The best thing about being Greek in college is that it teaches you time management skills - you have to learn to balance your activities in order to keep your grades up and your social life active. I honestly don't think my grades would have been as good if I hadn't been in a sorority that supported my academic learning so much. I hardly ever had a class that didn't have a DZ sister, or at the very least, another GLO member in it who was willing to study with me. It was a huge help.

Hope this info helps to ease your mind a little. (By the way, my brother is a freshman at Georgia Tech and is in a fraternity. He is making good grades and is on an academic scholarship, yet he still has plenty of time to enjoy an active social life thanks to his fraternity!)

Good luck!
Carrie

[AlphaChiGirl]

I've seen websites that school's All-Greek councils publish, with the rankings of the fraternities and sororities (NIC, NPC, NPHC). I know UGa has one, and so does UNC-Chapel Hill. Maybe you'll see that the GPA's (for the most part) are pretty decent. There were some rather pathetic ones...how can a group with 10 members have a 1.9? What's up with that? How are they staying in college?

[Hootie]

My University's Greek GPA is also higher than the non-greek GPA. Fraternities are a little different, but I know with our sorority we have to maintain a certain GPA. As a new member (pledge) they have to achieve a certain GPA as well...just to initiate.
To be honestly blunt...College (as you know) is a lot different than high school. The classes sometimes don't have mandatory attendance and I think that's what kills a lot of student's GPA's. Personally I've found that being Greek has kept me apt to NOT skipping class (for fear of a sister telling on me LOL) and to keep up my GPA and not let down my chapter.
I hope that helps. I strongly urge you to consult the Organization he's interested in for further questions. Talk to the advisors and maybe even the GREEK Advisor of that campus for his/her opinions.
Good Luck and keep us posted!
Hootie

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