Regretting pledging a fraternity a little bit.

[skparagon]

I think the fraternity I pledged on campus (theta chi) is easily the best fraternity. Great guys, great service work, great parties, high gpa, etc. The problem is that I've found majority of theta chi chapters at other universities are a normally a bunch of "losers". They either have no social life in the greek community and are basically a community service club or just a bunch of nerds.

This really turns me off of being initiated at theta chi. The other fraternities that matter on campus and have a presence nationally (are top fraternities at other schools) are sigma phi epsilon and sigma chi.

It really bothers me and makes me want to de-pledge. But i'm 4 weeks into pledging and really got to know the brothers/pledge brothers. I really like them too, they're all great.

Has anyone else felt the same?

[Senusret I]

How do you know that a "majority of theta chi chapters at other universities are a normally a bunch of 'losers?'"

Have you been to conferences and conventions already?

[ForeverRoses]

Originally Posted by skparagon

I think the fraternity I pledged on campus (theta chi) is easily the best fraternity. Great guys, great service work, great parties, high gpa, etc. The problem is that I've found majority of theta chi chapters at other universities are a normally a bunch of "losers". They either have no social life in the greek community and are basically a community service club or just a bunch of nerds.

This really turns me off of being initiated at theta chi. The other fraternities that matter on campus and have a presence nationally (are top fraternities at other schools) are sigma phi epsilon and sigma chi.

It really bothers me and makes me want to de-pledge. But i'm 4 weeks into pledging and really got to know the brothers/pledge brothers. I really like them too, they're all great.

Has anyone else felt the same?

How often are you going to hang out with/party with/see the guys at other chapters? If it really matters that much to you, then you should de-pledge.

But you are pledging YOUR chapter. If you like the brothers/pledge brothers at your school why do you even care what they are like somewhere else? Would you pledge a differently named group if they had these same guys as members? Or is status your ownly concern?

[skparagon]

Originally Posted by ForeverRoses

How often are you going to hang out with/party with/see the guys at other chapters? If it really matters that much to you, then you should de-pledge.

But you are pledging YOUR chapter. If you like the brothers/pledge brothers at your school why do you even care what they are like somewhere else? Would you pledge a differently named group if they had these same guys as members? Or is status your ownly concern?

shouldn't national status be a concern? this is going to follow me for the rest of my life, no?

[skparagon]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

How do you know that a "majority of theta chi chapters at other universities are a normally a bunch of 'losers?'"

Have you been to conferences and conventions already?

word of mouth, scanning other chapters, visiting nearby ones, etc.
all hasn't been very positive except a select few like the UCF chapter.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by skparagon

shouldn't national status be a concern? this is going to follow me for the rest of my life, no?

This is like being concerned about being the most popular guy in high school. At the time, it seems important. As you grow older, you'll realize it's not that serious.

You should be most concerned about the guys at your chapter and your national goals/values.

[thetygerlily]

Originally Posted by skparagon

I think the fraternity I pledged on campus (theta chi) is easily the best fraternity. Great guys, great service work, great parties, high gpa, etc. The problem is that I've found majority of theta chi chapters at other universities are a normally a bunch of "losers". They either have no social life in the greek community and are basically a community service club or just a bunch of nerds.

I'm going to try to get past the loser comment here. Consider that every chapter at every campus is different, often because of campus dynamics. Every single GLO is likely to have a "top house" on one campus and be "bottom tier" on another. Does it matter? No, it evens out. And maybe that's what that campus likes- more mellow, don't want to throw crazy parties, or are very dedicated to community service. Let's be honest here, after you graduate college MOST people grow up and do not party like they did in college. Some don't and it works for them, but most move on. Sounds like you have a good chapter to spend four years with.

Originally Posted by skparagon

This really turns me off of being initiated at theta chi. The other fraternities that matter on campus and have a presence nationally (are top fraternities at other schools) are sigma phi epsilon and sigma chi.

So since you've established you like the chapter on your campus, what are you looking for in regards to national presence? Networking opportunities, the number of people who recognize your fraternity, etc? Other than other chapters being "losers", are there any concrete reasons you can't get what you're seeking?

I was thinking maybe you were concerned because they are a smaller org nationally, but the first line on Theta Chi's "About" page rules that out:
Theta Chi Fraternity is one of the oldest and largest men's fraternities in North America today.

ETA: Thanks TSteven, fixed... That's what I get for trying to post on my way into a meeting!

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by skparagon

shouldn't national status be a concern? this is going to follow me for the rest of my life, no?

Only if you decide it's a problem and let it bother you.

You're taking your experience, which based on your description is pretty limited and not even all first-hand, and generalizing those limited interactions and impressions with other chapters (which just might be very inaccurate) to all of Theta Chi's 130+ chapters and alumni.

[GTAlphaPhi]

1) If national collegiate* status is so important to you, you should have looked into the fraternity chapters on your campus before pledging.

2) Depledge. Theta Chi and NIC will be better off.

* Reputations and tiers of any given national GLO will vary from major geographical region, to individual chapter, to period in time (e.g. The "top" house at XYZ University in the 1990's may not be top anymore due to an incident, recruiting issues, new houses came to campus, other houses closed, etc. so the "competition" can change.).

[Woof]

Hey, it happens a lot actually. Top houses on some campuses, have not so great reputations at other colleges (losers, nerds, etc). There are a few chapters that your chapter probably does get a long with, and it won't be a problem. Fact is, if what you say is true, and your house is top house on your campus, why would you wanna be anywhere else? Your next 4 years will be spent at your college., and you don't want to be part of the 'loser' house for your next 4 years, do you? Stick it out, it'll be worth it, you'll have fun for the next four years, and then on the bright side, when you graduate, those who matter (employers) may especially think you are a good quality man, because of your national reputation.

[AOII Angel]

Might I also point out that those "losers" or "nerds" you are condeming at other Theta Chi chapters may turn out to be high power doctors, attorneys, businessmen, etc. The popular guys in high school and college frequently peak there and don't end up being much later. Judging what your alumnus experience will be like because of these markers is rather ridiculous. Personally, I think you should probably try to meet some Theta Chi alumni and see what caliber men stay active in the organization if you truly want to know what kind of impact it will make in your life after college.

[pshsx1]

You shouldn't be worried about the stereotypes at other schools. You're not pledging Theta Chi at any other schools.

I have met SigEps from across the entire nation and we're all different. I've met probably every college stereotype you can think of within other chapters, but that has not once pushed me away.

In any case, every one that I've met has been a great guy deep down and a great Brother. That's all I'm concerned about. If the California Beta Beta chapter is known at the World of Warcraft chapter on campus, power to them. I'm sure when I'm 40 and I meet someone from that school, they're going to be mature enough to not assume I fit into a silly college stereotype.

And just as a note on your fraternity, I have yet to meet a Theta Chi that hasn't been an awesome person. I'm sure your perspective is distorted somehow.

[Leslie Anne]

Originally Posted by skparagon

This really turns me off of being initiated at theta chi. The other fraternities that matter on campus and have a presence nationally (are top fraternities at other schools) are sigma phi epsilon and sigma chi.

On my campus Theta Chi was a strong house. Sig Ep was 15 guys who didn't have a house and Sigma Chi ended up losing their charter. The point is that every fraternity and sorority has strong chapters and weaker ones. Furthermore, chapters constantly change with each new pledge class.

If you want to belong to a group without a single nerd then Greek Life just isn't for you.

[dreamseeker]

Originally Posted by Leslie Anne

On my campus Theta Chi was a strong house. Sig Ep was 15 guys who didn't have a house and Sigma Chi ended up losing their charter. The point is that every fraternity and sorority has strong chapters and weaker ones. Furthermore, chapters constantly change with each new pledge class.

If you want to belong to a group without a single nerd then life just isn't for you.

fixed that for you

[Leslie Anne]

Originally Posted by dreamseeker

fixed that for you

Thanks! So true!