Which sororities have the most members?

CaliforniaGirl7 · #1 09-21-2006, 04:01 PM

Hi everyone!

Since I am going through Recruitment next week (my story is on here) at huge greek school there have been many rumors flying around about which sororities have the most initiated members. Does anyone have a list in order? It's not that important to me as far as choosing a chapter, but now I'm kind of curious about who really is the biggest, second, third, etc.

I've heard that 1 in 4 sorority women are in Chi Omega? This seems impossible to me. I've also heard that Kappa, KD, DZ and Zeta are 2nd. I'm so confused!

Thanks for your help,

Caligirl

#2 09-21-2006, 04:04 PM

Who's the biggest should not be a concern for you at this point. Your focus should be on the houses at your campus, not national numbers.

If numbers really mean that much to you, I'm sure each sorority HQ website will have that information for you...but there's no actual way to tell, as numbers change often due to recruitment.

AlphaFrog · #3 09-21-2006, 04:05 PM

Do a search. This has been discussed over and over.

CaliforniaGirl7 · #4 09-21-2006, 04:10 PM

I did do a search. I mean that was the obvious first step. Pretty much every post in the GL forum came up. So that wasn't very helpful. I also did multiple searches on google. If it were so readily available I wouldn't bother everyone by asking. I don't want the exact numbers, just an idea. And yes, it is a concern for me. If every sorority on campus is claiming to be the biggest then they obviously think its something the PNMs will be interested in as well. If anyone has a real answer or at least an explanation of why there is so much confusion, please let me know. Thanks.

33girl · #5 09-21-2006, 04:11 PM

All four of the NPHC sororities have more chapters than any of the NPC groups.

As far as largest, the numbers can be so manipulated it's not worth looking at. It can be number of members, number of chapters (collegiate and alum), number of collegiate chapters, number of chapters chartered etc etc...

Not to mention that the number of members fluctuates on a daily basis.

I can, however, state that the "1 in 4 sorority women is a Chi Omega" is absolutely untrue. It's just not possible (if you take into account NPHC, local groups etc).

What you are hearing is the usual rush hyperbole. Take it with a grain of salt.

kddani · #6 09-21-2006, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliforniaGirl7

I did do a search. I mean that was the obvious first step. Pretty much every post in the GL forum came up. So that wasn't very helpful. I also did multiple searches on google. If it were so readily available I wouldn't bother everyone by asking. I don't want the exact numbers, just an idea. And yes, it is a concern for me. If every sorority on campus is claiming to be the biggest then they obviously think its something the PNMs will be interested in as well. If anyone has a real answer or at least an explanation of why there is so much confusion, please let me know. Thanks.

Why is it important to you? Really, why does it matter? If one group has 5000 more initiated members than another, really, how is that going to change your experience????

KD has approx. 190,000 initiated members (as of this summer). We are pretty much in the middle. We have the largest number of chartered alumnae associations- almost 500.

What is considered "biggest" can also mean a number of things- initiated members, living members, number of active chapters, number of chapters inactive and active, number of alumnae associations, etc.

It really doesn't mean squat.

Kevin · #7 09-21-2006, 04:19 PM

Look at your local chapters, join the best one you can get into.

Other than that, I wouldn't buy into much of what you hear during rush.

CaliforniaGirl7 · #8 09-21-2006, 04:23 PM

It actually didn't matter at all to me. My mom and sister were both in midsize sororities and I know how pleased they were with their choices. National size didn't even cross my mind until all the sorority girls on campus started telling me about how they are the biggest or second biggest or whatnot. It would be like if all your friends said they won homecoming queen. Wouldn't you be the least bit curious who actually won? No, I'm not going to base my choice on who has the largest national numbers. But I am curious enough to try and find the answers.

#9 09-21-2006, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliforniaGirl7

It actually didn't matter at all to me. My mom and sister were both in midsize sororities and I know how pleased they were with their choices. National size didn't even cross my mind until all the sorority girls on campus started telling me about how they are the biggest or second biggest or whatnot. It would be like if all your friends said they won homecoming queen. Wouldn't you be the least bit curious who actually won? No, I'm not going to base my choice on who has the largest national numbers. But I am curious enough to try and find the answers.

You've received great answers from sorority alumnae members and just go on that.

Leave the issue alone.

SRSLY.

CaliforniaGirl7 · #10 09-21-2006, 04:29 PM

I haven't received any answers. Why bother saying "why do you care?" The point is, I'm just curious that's all. All the chapters on my campus are awesome, so I'll be happy with any of them. I'm just interested in which ones have the most members. I don't need exact numbers or even an exact order, just the top couple or whatnot. I don't see anything wrong with asking that.
I'm not sure why everyone is up in arms?

CaliforniaGirl7 · #11 09-21-2006, 04:30 PM

Thanks 33girl for clearing up that info about Chi Omega. I knew that couldn't be correct.

kddani · #12 09-21-2006, 04:32 PM

Why don't you check the websites of the sororities that you're interested in knowing about?

GDIfly · #13 09-21-2006, 04:35 PM

I posted this yesterday in response to some posts in another thread. I used both Wikipedia and official websites except where noted:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hootie

How are you supposed to know that? That seems like an odd question (no offense)! I had to reread that one too ZTAngel! But to compare to your chart I know Chi Omega and Zeta Tau Alpha are definately two of the three. Not sure of the third, but your guess is as good as mine!

According to Wikipedia (which, yes, has accuracy problems, but this is corroborated by the KKG website) KKG has over 200,000 initiated members. That puts it in second place behind ChiO (over 300,000) and ahead of ZTA ( over 187,000). However, Kappa Delta's website claims over 190,000 initiated members, which would push ZTA out of the top three-especially since I couldn't find any information at their website.

CaliforniaGirl7 · #14 09-21-2006, 04:35 PM

Good suggestion kddani, but I already have. Some of them say initiated members, some say collegiate, some don't mention any sort of numbers. Like everyone said, it's not an easy list to find. This is why I asked on GC. I figured if anyone knew, it was someone on here.

PinkandGreenJ · #15 09-21-2006, 04:37 PM

Tri Delta is up there, as is Pi Phi. I believe the former is at 220 and latter is at 222, approximately. I think this is from ariesrising's old site.
\
\The Chi O numbers seem a bit high. I always thought they were in the 240s.