Curious about Fraternities at UF.

[Alumiyum]

Honestly, reading individual testimonies on the internet is not really going to be helpful when it comes to really getting to know a fraternity. Instead focus on meeting the guys now, and make even more of an effort in the spring. They ARE the fraternity you'll possibly be joining. You need to meet the actual members of these different fraternities in person.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by agzg

No, honey. "Apart" means separate from. I believe the words you're looking for are "a part of" or "a member of," implying that you actually want to be near them.

Actually, if you read what he said, he was using apart of intentionally and with an understanding of what it meant:

Originally Posted by rcwest

As, for the group of guys, it is something that I want to be "apart" of as I stated. Yes, this does seem counterintuitive, but I am essentially saying that I want to have a group that I can relate to, learn from, and enjoy. Ultimately though, I realize I am an individual and that no one will make my decisions for me and make me who I am. I will decide all of that for myself, which is the simply individualism. I want to find a happy medium between the group and the individual.

Maybe not the clearest way to make the point, but this doesn't seem to be the frequently-seen case of someone who doesn't know the difference between apart from and a part of.

rcwest, we understand the desire to educate yourself. But the answer to the question can only be found by actually meeting the guys in each chapter and deciding for yourself where you would fit best, while they also decide if you would fit with them.

[agzg]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Actually, if you read what he said, he was using apart of intentionally and with an understanding of what it meant: Maybe not the clearest way to make the point, but this doesn't seem to be the frequently-seen case of someone who doesn't know the difference between apart from and a part of.

It's still incorrect. Apart from implies that you don't want to be part of the whole. If one is to learn from, socialize with, gain benefit from, one still needs to be a part of the whole. He may pretend he knows the difference, but he does not.

Also, OP, the only reason I'm correcting your grammar is because A. You've already recieved the answer we could give and B. You should have known the answer already because you read any of the many threads on the topic.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by agzg

It's still incorrect. Apart from implies that you don't want to be part of the whole. If one is to learn from, socialize with, gain benefit from, one still needs to be a part of the whole. He may pretend he knows the difference, but he does not.

I didn't say it was a correct usage. I said, relying on what he said, it was an intentional usage -- an attempt at a clever pun, if you will, that really wasn't all that clever and didn't work. Maybe with some backtracking thrown in.

Look, I can correct a newbie's grammar with the best of them, and have done so when I though the occasion called for it. But sometimes, I just don't think the occasion calls for it.

Originally Posted by rcwest

I know meeting the brothers will be the ultimate determinant, but I would still like information on the Greek system itself and why it can be so beneficial of a lifestyle. I have several questions, so here we go. What advantages academically does a Fraternity provide? What advantages would my fraternal background have when entering my career? Basically, I understand the "brotherhood" aspect of a fraternity by this point. I realize that is most important, but there are external benefits as well. I want to know more about those too. I want to be sold the system completely.

None of these questions are what you asked in your first post. In that post, you said:

Originally Posted by rcwest

I came to GreekChat hoping that I could get some information on what Fraternities may be best for me based on my background, personality, and interests.

. . . My concerns include comfort and image. I want to be around a group of guys who I can identify with as far as background, upbringing, values, and interests. I also would like to be apart of a fraternity that has a respectable image, one that I would be proud to associate myself with.

. . . I would appreciate any help I can get even if it's just a little bit. Essentially, I'm a genuine guy, a genuine southerner, and just want to be surrounded by others of the same qualities.

We answered the question you asked the best we could. Don't complain that we didn't answer questions you didn't ask.

As for the questions you're asking now, try here. And skim the threads on GC.