Help choosing a fraternity

[longtimeclone]

I went to several recruiting events with several friends that ended up joining. Best decision of my life was not joining. A couple that joined regretted it. They made good friends but you can make same good friends in dorms and your classes. Don't need to pay to get friends and spend time at meetings.

I actually did not join a frat after going to recruiting events either, but I don't think people should be knocking a guy who wants more information about the frats. If he ends up not joining one that is his decision.

I was more putting on shame on the guys that called out the greek system and didn't back it up with anything. You added a personal experience so I would not throw you into that bucket.

 

[CloneSolo]

I would highly look into joining a fraternity. The adage that you are paying for friends is a joke, we are all paying to go to ISU and have to pay for living somewhere, so it might as well be where you feel most comfortable. Granted, fraternities aren't for everyone. I had friends outside the greek system, and they were great guys, and I think thoroughly enjoyed their college experience -- they just had a little different experience which is fine. I was an AGR at ISU about 10 years ago, and it was one of the best decisions that I ever made. I met a ton of great guys both in the house and throughout the greek system. Don't get me wrong there were d-bags in the greek system, but there are these types of individuals in every walk of life. Being apart of AGR and the greek system, allowed me to have some of the most memorable experiences of my life. I actually met my wife through the greek system, and for that reason alone would never tell someone not to at least look into it. Just make sure that the one you ultimately choose is the right fit for you.

Word to the YEZ :yes:

 

[CyDude16]

How dare there be differing opinions on a message board

Theres a difference in presenting in a respectable way or just being a ********* about it for no apparent reason.

 

[CyDude16]

I went to several recruiting events with several friends that ended up joining. Best decision of my life was not joining. A couple that joined regretted it. They made good friends but you can make same good friends in dorms and your classes. Don't need to pay to get friends and spend time at meetings.

I always enjoy the "buy your friends" thing. Do you not realize you pay for a similar environment in the dorms? Many people become good friends with people they meet freshman year in the dorms.... how is that any different?

There are many things that go into being involved in a fraternity, some people don't want to be apart of that, and thats okay. But to bash something you hardly know anything about besides just a few recruiting events, is rather sad.

 

[Tredici]

I am a Delt alumni and I have to say it was the best decision I made in college. Not only did I meet great friends, but I got involved in campus activities. It is funny how people can bash on the greek system when they haven't been a part of it. Greeks do a lot of good for the community and university from volunteer work, to veishea & homecoming committees, to student body. I am not going to bash one house or the other, but one thing I will say is take some time to meet people outside of the house you join too. I had friends in mechanical, chemical, electrical engineering and I spent a year in the dorms and got to meet a wide variety of people. Best thing you can do is let the office of greek affairs know your interested, visit the fraternities on campus, and interact with the rush chairs to get the right feel. Hope all goes well!

 

[clones_jer]

if you are a top, tke. if you are a bottom, beta. adelante, if you have a pretend girl friend. if you like to go hoggin, farm house.

gayness like this is why people bash the greek system.

 

[Cyclone711]

I went to several recruiting events with several friends that ended up joining. Best decision of my life was not joining. A couple that joined regretted it. They made good friends but you can make same good friends in dorms and your classes. Don't need to pay to get friends and spend time at meetings.

You pay to live in the dorms don't you? Oh, looks like you paid for your friends too..........

Also, most fraternities are cheaper than the dorms. Looks like your friends got a better bargain haha.

 

[clones_jer]

You pay to live in the dorms don't you? Oh, looks like you paid for your friends too..........

Also, most fraternities are cheaper than the dorms. Looks like your friends got a better bargain haha.

I think you'd be hardpressed to back that statement up.

and "buy your friends" refers more to the phenomena of those that join a frat becoming lost to the outside world as they only hang out with their frat "brothers". Admittedly, its a bit overplayed.

 

[gocubs2118]

Most fraternities are cheaper than dorms.

 

[Cyched]

I think you'd be hardpressed to back that statement up.

and "buy your friends" refers more to the phenomena of those that join a frat becoming lost to the outside world as they only hang out with their frat "brothers". Admittedly, its a bit overplayed.

Not really. In a fraternity, your meals are included with your dues. Not to mention the free laundry, parking and anything else they might include. So yes, it does end up being a bargain not having to pay for a meal plan.

 

[Goothrey]

I never joined a frat, but my roommate first semester was in one as were a few others on our floor.

Can't hurt to look into it.

 

[Al_4_State]

Where do the power bottoms fit into this dichotomy?

 

[RayShimley]

Where do the power bottoms fit into this dichotomy?

You mean a bottom that's capable of accepting an enormous amount of power??

 

[peteypie]

Cheaper than dorms, maybe, but not cheaper than renting your own apartment or house.

I personally don't like the greek system, but had a few friends in it. To all their own.

Funny story though, I was walking home from a party when this girl stopped me. We started chatting, and she asked me which house I lived in. I said, "I don't live in a house, I live in an apartment right up here." She said, "oh, well you were cute." What a dumb *****.

Not all of them are like that though. I then dated a real nice girl from a sorority for about a year after that. So I would say there are good and bad people everywhere.

IMO, I just would rather not get stuck with the same people if I didn't have to. I met a lot of cool people at work, in class, and in the dorms. I then left the dorms to live with people that I had known for a whole year rather than making a snap judgement on whether I would like to live with someone or not.

 

[Al_4_State]

You mean a bottom that's capable of accepting an enormous amount of power??

Or generating it. Remember, speed is the name of the game.

 

[Racer68]

You can't blame a guy for asking...it's a message board, you hear all sides! My roommate and I looked into the greek system and had a bad experience at a party one night...a crush party if I remember the name correctly...they attempted to get us to sign on while we were very intoxicated and happy. Thankfully I still had my wits about me and we held off doing so. That really soured us against the whole greek system while at ISU, and I wish we would have given it another chance.

For what's it worth...had friends in Phi Kappa Theta and they loved it, and also had friends in Beta Theta Pi, and hung out there during freshman orientation and they seemed very nice and professional.

Good kuck!

 

[Cyclone711]

I think you'd be hardpressed to back that statement up.

and "buy your friends" refers more to the phenomena of those that join a frat becoming lost to the outside world as they only hang out with their frat "brothers". Admittedly, its a bit overplayed.

False. Almost all are cheaper then a dorm/meal contract. I ended up in one of the most expensive fraternities and still saved a couple hundred bucks a year. If you really want to do the research you can go to the housing departments website and compare their numbers with those off of the ISU greek website.

Also, your second point doesn't make much sense.

 

[CyFan61]

I would just say, keep your mind open when deciding. Some people always have their mind set on a fraternity and never consider living elsewhere, then end up not liking it. Some people never consider going Greek and then later wish they had.

So just keep your mind open before you decide what's right for you. For me Greek life wasn't it, but I wouldn't fault someone who thought otherwise. Greek people are very, uh, "protective" of their lifestyle so asking their opinions is not likely to get you the whole story. Then again, neither is asking people who were never in a fraternity. So take everything with a grain of salt, and make up your own mind.

 

[ty4cy90]

As the VP of Scholarship for the Interfraternity Council, Greeks also average a higher grade point and offer many other academic benefits such as free tutoring, study files, access to upperclassmen in your major etc. Personally, I'm an SAE (some here might give us a bad rap) and it's been a great experience! I've also made and kept friendships with others not in the Greek system.PM me if you have any questions.

 

[new2011]

Thank you to everyone who is giving quality responses, I would love some name dropping on the frats and there reps not just an opinion on Greek life . I know already I want to join just don't know which one. also I don't want a dry house. I think I have it somewhat narrowed down but with 28 frats that's hard to do... So far I'm thinking sig ep, delts, pikes, sae any input on those or names of some other good ones would be great!