Questions about Greek Life (from an outsider [UK])

[geryon]

Its not so much the word, but the accusation against me which has no grounding in fact or indeed in my behaviour on your forum.

Re: meat. I love seafood too, probably more then meat. I'll typically eat meat 3-4 days a week and seafood the other days. Once a fortnight, I'll have something veggie, but I like real man food.

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by geryon

Its not so much the word, but the accusation against me which has no grounding in fact or indeed in my behaviour on your forum.

While I think you are doing just fine here, GC has its share of very angry people posting aspersions and distortions about GLO's (greek lettered organizations). So, there is this unspoken guard and apprehension.

I think you are really quick to catch on and have no problem adapting to the academics on a US campus.

Where will you be studying? And please, if it will make you more comfortable, you can just note the region, i.e. "middle of the country" or "west coast" or "east coast", north, or south. The US does have regional differences and that can also be seen with in GLO's, in generally speaking. No amount of Googling will help you with that, you just have to experience it yourself...

ETA: Just figure out the NCAA (American) Football Rankings, and you will be well on your way... LOL...

[knight_shadow]

To the OP:

Age differences aside, you'll need to focus your energy on your Ph.D. program. Greek life can be (and has been, for many of us) a great asset to our lives, but with the course load you'll have, Greek life should be the last thing on your mind. There are plenty of opportunities for you to stay involved without Greek life (ie. Graduate Senate, etc). If Greek life is something you're REALLY wanting to do, go for it. Just realize you may not have the same experience as others (with your age + your schooling).

[Elephant Walk]

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

ETA: Just figure out the NCAA (American) Football Rankings, and you will be well on your way... LOL...

The only important thing.

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

The only important thing.

LOL... It crosses so many boundaries in so many ways... Of course depends on the conference division you support or oppose...

go canes!

[geryon]

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

While I think you are doing just fine here, GC has its share of very angry people posting aspersions and distortions about GLO's (greek lettered organizations). So, there is this unspoken guard and apprehension.

I think you are really quick to catch on and have no problem adapting to the academics on a US campus.

Where will you be studying? And please, if it will make you more comfortable, you can just note the region, i.e. "middle of the country" or "west coast" or "east coast", north, or south. The US does have regional differences and that can also be seen with in GLO's, in generally speaking. No amount of Googling will help you with that, you just have to experience it yourself...

ETA: Just figure out the NCAA (American) Football Rankings, and you will be well on your way... LOL...

My intention is to study in California. Sea and sun and all that. UCLA, Berkeley and Stanford are the institutions I am pursuing.

AS for American Football. I have seen a bit of it on TV, mainly the superbowl which gets shown even here. It seems ok, like Rugby with padding. My sport is cricket, and a spot of tennis.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

ETA: Just figure out the NCAA (American) Football Rankings, and you will be well on your way... LOL...

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

The only important thing.

Not if you live somewhere where the established state religion is basketball.

An aside: My daughter has been playing basketball in the YMCA league. All of the teams in the league are named for SEC teams -- my daughter is a Volunteer (which we have made sure she knows is a good name to have in women's basketball). At first, all of the parents were trying to figure out what was up with the SEC names. Of course, we all figured out quickly that using ACC names would lead to too way much trouble, what with the "No way is my kid playing for the Blue Devils/Wolfpack/Deacons . . . . Might as well ask us to play for Satan." The SEC was safe, we figured, 'cause not that many people around here care about 'em enough to get worked up about it.

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Not if you live somewhere where the established state religion is basketball.

An aside: My daughter has been playing basketball in the YMCA league. All of the teams in the league are named for SEC teams -- my daughter is a Volunteer (which we have made sure she knows is a good name to have in women's basketball). At first, all of the parents were trying to figure out what was up with the SEC names. Of course, we all figured out quickly that using ACC names would lead to too way much trouble, what with the "No way is my kid playing for the Blue Devils/Wolfpack/Deacons . . . . Might as well ask us to play for Satan." The SEC was safe, we figured, 'cause not that many people around here care about 'em enough to get worked up about it.

As if.

[AOIIalum]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

"No way is my kid playing for the Blue Devils/Wolfpack/Deacons . . . . Might as well ask us to play for Satan."

You sir, have just won the internets with this post. Although, you forgot to mention the tarheels in your list of satanic names.

Originally Posted by MysticCat

The SEC was safe, we figured, 'cause not that many people around here care about 'em enough to get worked up about it.

EXCUSE ME???? Ahem!

geryon, if you end up at the Cardinal or UCLA, you better be quite familiar with College Basketball. If you need any suggestions on teams to watch or reading material I'm sure TSteven or I could help.

Yes, we take our college athletics very seriously here in the States.

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by AOIIalum

You sir, have just won the internets with this post. Although, you forgot to mention the tarheels in your list of satanic names.

So true!

[PhoenixAzul]

Hiya,
I did the opposite of you. I shipped off to Scotland for my MA and I'm going back soon to work full time.

Differences:
- Student unions are not as powerful as they are in British Unis. Some schools don't even have them. There may be a senate/representative council (on which you as a postgraduate will likely have a representative) and they are essentially the student voice.

- As a whole, lecturers are called "professor" by default, regardless of their degree (ex. a MA/MFA is a terminal degree in most art fields, so they would never have the honor of being "Doctor" so "Professor" shows respect for their achievement/knowledge. However a BA/BFA is sometimes enough experience to teach in a certain field, so "Professor" shows respect for their teaching position). Except in the case of a lecturer holding a doctorate, then they may prefer Doctor, or go by Professor as well. Professor is generally seen as more respectful than Mr/Ms in an academic context. However, I've had lecturers who have preferred to be called Fred, Jane, etc. It just depends on their preference. Most will state their preference if they have one. If one isn't stated, opt for "professor" until you know otherwise.

- Sports are a big thing. And not just "anyone" can play/sign up as a general rule. The equivalent to clubs is intermurals, where it is more for fun, rather than representing the university.

- Greek Life doesn't really have any equivalent in British culture. I had TONS of questions about it when I lived abroad, but I can guarantee you that it is absolutely nothing like what you get fed on SkyTV. It is a lot of work, time commitment, and self investment. If you can handle that and work on your PhD, you're a better time management person than I, mate.

- Depending on what you're doing as a PhD, you may be a teaching assistant. Meaning you'd likely be leading a tutoring session or lecturing yourself. This means that you are officially in a position of authority, and therefore responsible as an employee of the university. This might preclude you from involvement in a fraternity/sorority, as it could present an appearance of impropriety...(ex. girl is failing your lecture class, girl is seen flirting with you @ fraternity event, girl works hard and brings her grades up but someone could say that you raised them for her b/c of her/your perceived advances at the party).

My advice would be to see if there are openings as a house master/house supervisor/house adviser or house assistant. It would mean that you'd get the general idea of what fraternity life is like, have some peripheral involvement in activities, provide a role model/confidence for the guys in the house, and you'd have a lot more time to study and focus on your degree, without having to pledge or do pledge activities and you'd earn a stipend (if not a stipend, just room and board which is WORTH IT). This is a pretty standard gig for graduate students in the US...but bear in mind you're responsible for making sure they don't burn the place down or kill each other.

Another thing: this is terrible to say, but PhD spots, especially paid/paying ones, are tremendously rare and competitive things. Some professors do not have a high opinion of Greek life, and openly advertising your desire to join a fraternity as a PhD might be translated into "i'm not serious about this research" and could perhaps influence your placement in the lab. Not saying this is the case, it certainly isn't at all places, but it is something to be considered.

[geryon]

I know the competition for scholarships is fierce, that said I have been told my admissions that I have a favourable chance having hit my MA out of the park.

Thanks for the comparative insight. I know at this level 'social' aspects of college should be far from my mind, but I am keen to experience all that I can which can help me develop into a well rounded person.

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by geryon

My intention is to study in California. Sea and sun and all that. UCLA, Berkeley and Stanford are the institutions I am pursuing.

AS for American Football. I have seen a bit of it on TV, mainly the superbowl which gets shown even here. It seems ok, like Rugby with padding. My sport is cricket, and a spot of tennis.

Dunno about greek life at Berkeley or Stanford, but UCLA does have a heavy duty Greek Life...

The American Football that you are watching is "professional"--like "Manchester United" and are commercialized... The stuff we are talking about is the "National Collegiate Athletic Association" and there are rankings that are rather far-fetched. If you attend UCLA, you'd need to know these things... Berkeley was better a couple of years ago, but now they suck. And Stanford was okay. But in the Pac-10, which is a region that sucks overall, the best team is USC Trojans--basically, UCLA's nemesis...

And for those who worship in Bracketology, welp, it only interesting during March Madness past the Final Four...

That still means, go canes!!! But I doubt it... Who's on top these days? Hayle, March Madness shifts everything...

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by AOIIalum

You sir, have just won the internets with this post. Although, you forgot to mention the tarheels in your list of satanic names.

It was not forgetfulness that kept the Tar Heels from being in that list. After all, like the old saying asks, "If God is not a Tar Heel, why is the sky Carolina blue?" (And it's Tar Heels, not Tarheels.)

EXCUSE ME???? Ahem!

Like I said:

[Elephant Walk]

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

But in the Pac-10, which is a region that sucks overall,

QFT
the entire region sucks.