Fraternities and sororities are expensive, but they are also a key part of life on many college campuses. Are they worth it?
I was in a sorority. In hindsight, I’m not sure it was worth the money, but I am still friends with many of my sisters. If I bought my friends, I bought good ones. The Greek system was big at my undergraduate school, too, so it was nice to show up and have a way to fit in almost from the start.
Greek life can be shallow. That’s no stereotype; it’s reality. During rush, you’re choosing people you think you want to be friends with, and some people value looks and pedigree more than others – especially at age 19. It’s not like college students would become mature and enlightened if the Greek system disappeared tomorrow. There would be groups of rich kids, and pretty kids, and geeky kids, and earnest kids, same as there are now.
Unlike many campus organizations, there’s a sense of commitment and continuity in Greek life that ties people to their school and to their house. However, there are some campus organizations that seem to foster the same sense of commitment and continuity, and they are cheaper. If you are not interested in going Greek, for whatever reason, you should find ways to replicate the good parts elsewhere on campus.
The secret is to find organizations that also require commitment and continuity. Athletics, band, the newspaper, the radio station, the yearbook, and student government are often made up of a tight-knit group of people who work together for a common goal, train the new folks, and connect to the alumni. They have the friendships and networks of the Greek system, at a lower price and with less emotional baggage.
