Should I Go Greek?

To rush, or not to rush - that is the question among so many new college freshmen as they enter what should be the best four years of their lives. They've heard horror stories about fraternity pranks gone wrong, they hated the social hierarchy in high school (unless they were on top), and they certainly don't see the logic in "paying for your friends." But despite all of these negative sentiments towards Greek life, it is hard to tune out the amazing social opportunities, networking possibilities, and, well, the fact that Greeks tend to run the business world.

There are plenty of pros/cons lists out there on the web, often written by non-Greek students who have never actually experienced fraternity or sorority life, or by adults who aren't in touch with the current youth generation. As a current Greek member at SDSU, I will provide my take on the most commonly made arguments about Greek life. *I am being honest. It doesn't matter to me if you go Greek or not, I'll probably never meet you*

• "I don't need to pay for my friends." I'll start with this complaint because it is the one I hear the most. Non-Greek students often cite this as the reason they never joined a fraternity or a sorority. First of all, joining a social organization is not "paying for your friends." Instead, it is paying to be put in a position to make friends. Obviously you can meet people without being affiliated, but by going Greek, the social life on campus suddenly becomes a tight-knit network of people just like you. Consider it an online-dating site for your friends, where (through the rush process), you are automatically matched with people that share your interests. Suddenly, you are poised in the position to quickly make life-long friends.
• "Should I rush?" Absolutely. Rush is a non-committal avenue for you to explore what Greek life on your campus might have to offer you. By going on house tours and attending rush events (which often include free food), you have a chance to chat with members about themselves and their organization. If at the end of the day you decide going Greek is not for you, at least you gave it a chance, got some free food, and probably made a friend or two in the process.
• "All frat guys do is party. I'm here to get an education." Yes, we do party. A lot. But there is so much more. Most fraternities on campus have minimum GPA requirements to be admitted and to remain an active member. This automatically prioritizes grades before everything else. In addition, pledge processes often incorporate mandatory study hours that emphasize that school is the reason we're all here. As an added bonus, many houses have "test banks," where members save their old tests from classes that their future brothers/sisters will have to take as well. Some people might cry foul-play, but their is nothing illegal about being organized and forward-thinking. At the end of the day, non-Greeks are studying their lecture notes while Greeks study last semester's exam.
• "Frats seem cool, but pledging just doesn't sound worth it." If there is one thing that ALL fraternity men from across the nation can agree on, it is the often recited, "pledging is the best time of your life that you'll never want to do again." While every pledge process is unique, they all have a similar purpose. Through the highest-of-highs and lowest-of-lows, pledging makes you grow up dramatically within just one semester. It challenges you both mentally and physically, and at times makes you question your reason of being there in the first place. But in the end, you have made friends that will be by your side at your wedding and giving speeches at your funeral. You have made memories that you couldn't even put into words. You are now adept at time-management, multi-tasking, and working in a team. You are more confident. All of this, and you still have the rest of your college years ahead of you.
• "Fraternities have a negative connotation. Why would I associate myself with that?" Fraternities will never shake their image of recklessness and debauchery. Nor should they. We secretly pride ourselves on throwing the biggest party. So why be a part of what seems to be viewed negatively? I'll answer this with an anonymous quote: "Goths call us conformists. Hipsters call us mainstream. PETA calls us cruel. Environmentalists call us close-minded. Feminists call us womanizers. Socialists call us greedy. Liberals call us ignorant. But despite all this, society calls us successful." Of the nation's 50 largest corporations, 43 are headed by fraternity men. 85% of the Fortune 500 executives belong to a fraternity. Every U.S. President and Vice President, except two in each office, born since the first social fraternity was founded in 1825 have been members of a fraternity. Over $7 million is raised each year by Greeks nationally through philanthropies. 850,000 hours are volunteered by greeks annually. The stats go on and on. (http://studentorgs.gwu.edu/greekspeak/extras/nationalstatistics/).

Ultimately, it comes down to you and what you want out of college. No one is the same. Fraternities and sororities definitely aren't for everybody, but hopefully I have offered some insight into the common misconceptions about Greek life. And remember, don't knock it 'til you try it.