Choosing colleges, did Greek life matter?

[Leslie Anne]

I wasn't even really aware of sororities until the summer before I went to college, so Greek life didn't influence me at all. As it turned out, all the colleges to which I applied had sororities. Once I learned about them, I would have gone through rush no matter where I ended up.

[icelandelf]

It mattered a little bit. What mattered more to me at the time was being able to attend my parents' alma mater. The Greek life there was icing on the cake after that.

[aephi alum]

Greek life wasn't on my radar screen at all when I was applying to colleges. I went after the schools that had the best programs for my intended major.

[TDX89]

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?

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.

when i was applying to colleges i didnt even know what greek life really was lol. i heard something abouts fraternities when i was younger but i really didnt care. it was by coincidence that the school i ended up going to had a good greek life ( although it could be better)

[33girl]

Every place I applied had Greek life, so it was a moot point. The only place I even vaguely considered that didn't was Juniata and it was out after a quick look at the price tag.

[ForeverRoses]

Greek life wasn't a deciding factor- in fact a couple of the schools I looked at did have greek life, but I probably wouldn't have rushed if I had chosen them. I knew once I picked my school that I would rush, but I didn't pick the school BECAUSE I would rush.

[Elephant Walk]

Absolutely a factor.

[violetpretty]

Everywhere I applied had Greek life, but it wasn't on my radar until maybe 8 weeks before formal recruitment. I applied to Maryland, Penn State, Boston University, Northeastern, and Columbia. I got in everywhere but Columbia. BU was way too expensive, and although I got a half scholarship to Northeastern, my parents were not crazy about me going to school as far away as Boston. Penn State and Maryland are comparable academically, but I didn't want to go to college in the middle of nowhere, and pay more to do it.

So, basically, I chose Maryland because:
1. Large size, lots of places to find a niche
2. Proximity to home and a big city
3. Least expensive of my options

[nittanyalum]

Originally Posted by violetpretty

Penn State ... I didn't want to go to college in the middle of nowhere, and pay more to do it.

[TSteven]

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?

I did consider the presence of Greek life when deciding on which college to attend.

I wanted my education to extend beyond the class room. So the college experience I wanted (and received) needed to include, but certainly was not limited to, strong academics, a good social atmosphere, leadership potential, "big time" college athletics, an excellent fine arts department (not my major, but helps to round out the individual), strong alumni connections/support, as well as a "college town" lifestyle or culture within the local community - regardless of the size of the town. To be clear, academics was the primary consideration. But for lack of a better way of putting it, each area had some sort of minimum requirement that needed to be met. As it was, every campus I considered - from small private liberal arts colleges to big land-grant institutions - Greek Life was part of the campus culture.

Even as a legacy, the presence of a specific organization (or organizations - i.e. cousins' fraternities) was not as much of a factor in my decision as was the overall Greek system.

[NutBrnHair]

All 3 schools I considered had Greek Life (including a Chi Omega chapter at each!)

Rhodes College (formerly known as Southwestern at Memphis)
Samford Univ.
Mercer Univ.

[ShawNuff]

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?

Honestly, I was completely oblivious to all things Greek until well into my sophmore year of college. That may sound unbelievable given that I attended an HBCU, am now a member of a BGLO, and have a parent that can say the same - but it's true. All I knew as a high school senior was that I wanted to be a neonatologist (ask me how far I am from that career path!) and that I wanted to go somewhere far from home.

It wasn't until I attended a neophyte show and realized that folks in my own class were turning greek all around me that I started researching organizations and developed an interest of my own.

[1908Revelations]

NO. It did not matter at all. I was pleased to hear that AKA was at the school I was transferring to, but had it not I still would have attended my university.

[breathesgelatin]

Nope. I actually had a really bad/stereotypical impression of Greek Life in high school and thought I didn't want to join. I applied to:

-Yale
-Williams
-Davidson
-Furman
-Washington and Lee
-UNC-Asheville (backup)

[dukedg]

Yes.