When the novelty wears off...

[EE-BO]

Originally Posted by Benzgirl

Snore!

So you are born together, are raised together, go to school together, have your babies together, and die together? What about diversity? What about broadening your horizons? Sounds pretty dull to me, but then what does a stupid midwestern hick know about southern social continuance?

I agree. My chapter was not a top tier chapter. We were proud to identify ourselves as second tier because of what we saw as the dark side of being a top tier. Yes we were expensive and had a gigantic house, but we were far more open minded in our rush selections and unlike many chapters at my alma mater, we pretty much automatically welcomed brothers who transferred to our school from other chapters.

The vast majority of people from my high school went to one particular top tier chapter, but that does not mean all of us wanted to live the very boring existence you have pretty well summed up in all its dullness.

I was just explaining how it is in that environment. But luckily even though I did not fit in, I did manage to grow up and have a life. Amazing, no?

To SydneyK,

At many of the kinds of schools we are discussing, certainly at mine, the overwhelming majority of kids in the top tier fraternities and sororities had parents and grandparents who were also Greek. They know and appreciate the importance of the experience, and they do not skip out on their kids when it comes to paying the dues.

As a chapter advisor, my advice to any chapter is to contact parents of all new pledges to welcome their son to the fraternity. I have very rarely observed situations where a kid was going to pay for it on his own and have it work out that way. Even working full time in college, it is nearly impossible to keep up with dues and the related expenses of the lifestyle on your own.