What makes Greek life "hot" in the south?

[ree-Xi]

I think that part of the issue is that in the northeast, we aren't necessarily "bred" to go to the same school as our parents, whereas in the South, several generations of families are affilated with a particular school.

Second, kids around here tend to want to "go away" to school, and end up somewhere brand new, and don't have the Greek connections that many in the south do. For example, I have read that sororities at some southern schools have girls picked out from certain high schools that they want to pledge. Without those connections, students may be less likely to have any insider knowledge into the system, let alone certain chapters or members.

Stories about girls dropping out because they didn't get the right bid are beyond my comprehension. Many kids who go away to school end up living around the area they went to school. Most of my friends never came back after college. Therefore, the roots just aren't planted as deeply as they are in the south.

Third, at many schools (like mine), the curriculum is "college prep" - meaning that they prepare you for college. Ninety-eight percent of my graduating class went to college immediately after graduating. We were encouraged to go to apply to schools with higher academic reputations above anything else; anything else was secondary. Very few people went to state schools; if they did, it was for financial reasons. (I am not saying that state schools lack academically; many private schools usually have a higher percentage of rejections than public universities).

From what I can remember, not too many kids from my HS went Greek. Out of my group of friends, only one other person did, and I remember some people looking down on that.

[exlurker]

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

I think that part of the issue is that in the northeast, we aren't necessarily "bred" to go to the same school as our parents, whereas in the South, several generations of families are affilated with a particular school.

Second, kids around here tend to want to "go away" to school, and end up somewhere brand new, and don't have the Greek connections that many in the south do. For example, I have read that sororities at some southern schools have girls picked out from certain high schools that they want to pledge. Without those connections, students may be less likely to have any insider knowledge into the system, let alone certain chapters or members.

Stories about girls dropping out because they didn't get the right bid are beyond my comprehension. Many kids who go away to school end up living around the area they went to school. Most of my friends never came back after college. Therefore, the roots just aren't planted as deeply as they are in the south.

Third, at many schools (like mine), the curriculum is "college prep" - meaning that they prepare you for college. Ninety-eight percent of my graduating class went to college immediately after graduating. We were encouraged to go to apply to schools with higher academic reputations above anything else; anything else was secondary. Very few people went to state schools; if they did, it was for financial reasons. (I am not saying that state schools lack academically; many private schools usually have a higher percentage of rejections than public universities).

From what I can remember, not too many kids from my HS went Greek. Out of my group of friends, only one other person did, and I remember some people looking down on that.

ree-Xi: Well said, and, I think, very true. About the only thing I'd modify is "Many kids who go away to school end up living around the area they went to school. Most of my friends never came back after college." Instead, I'd say kids "end up living around the area where career opportunities are strong." That may mean the vicinity of their alma mater, but it can just as easily mean a couple of thousand miles away, or more.

[bowsandtoes]

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

Third, at many schools (like mine), the curriculum is "college prep" - meaning that they prepare you for college. Ninety-eight percent of my graduating class went to college immediately after graduating. We were encouraged to go to apply to schools with higher academic reputations above anything else; anything else was secondary. Very few people went to state schools; if they did, it was for financial reasons. (I am not saying that state schools lack academically; many private schools usually have a higher percentage of rejections than public universities).

I'm not sure I agree with this. I also went to a rigorous private school in Texas and aside from the Ivys, there was just as much 'prestige' in going to Texas as there was for many of the NESCAC schools or other small school throughout the South. Given, most of the people who do go to Texas from there are in the honors program, but it is still looked favorably upon.

In a state where the state university does not have a very good reputation, I could see that happening. But there are several good state schools throughout the South that have very solid academics as well (UVA, Chapel Hill, Texas, just to name a few) as well as smaller liberal arts schools.

[ree-Xi]

Of course there are "prestigious" schools everywhere. In your case, the schools where you may have been encouraged to go to, happen to have stronger Greek systems. The schools that many kids in my area/school/system were encouraged (pushed) to go to happen to have weaker Greek systems.

There is also the difference in the sizes of the campuses. In the northeast, the on-campus populations are much smaller compared to some of the "regional" schools in the midwest and south.

Regarding Greek culture - Things like holding rush before school even begins (where girls might leave school before classes start because she didn't get her choice chapter), being a legacy and being groomed to a join particular GLO and/or GLO at a particular campus, having Greeks dominate high-profile student leadership positions ...these things are largely unheard of up here. The focus is mostly on "how strong" your major program is.

There are cultural differences between a school that is known for its academics vs. a school known for being a big Greek school. When students are applying to schools, more importance is put on the strength of their academic program than the strength of the Greek system. In some cases, it may be both, but as generalizations go, the difference is pretty evident, at least at first glance.

Originally Posted by bowsandtoes

I'm not sure I agree with this. I also went to a rigorous private school in Texas and aside from the Ivys, there was just as much 'prestige' in going to Texas as there was for many of the NESCAC schools or other small school throughout the South. Given, most of the people who do go to Texas from there are in the honors program, but it is still looked favorably upon.

In a state where the state university does not have a very good reputation, I could see that happening. But there are several good state schools throughout the South that have very solid academics as well (UVA, Chapel Hill, Texas, just to name a few) as well as smaller liberal arts schools.