Greek Life: Disadvantages
Fraternity and sorority issues to consider before you rush or pledge
Oct 16, 2006
Is Greek life right for you? Here are some of the disadvantages you should think about before you join a fraternity or sorority.
Thinking about joining a fraternity or a sorority? There are advantages to Greek life, but also some disadvantages that students ought to consider realistically.
- Time commitment. Rushing and pledging are time consuming, and many students’ grades suffer a bit during this time. Once you’re a member, you’ll be expected to participate in social events, philanthropic activities, meetings, and other time consuming commitments. In some ways, being a Greek is more like a lifestyle choice than a leisure time activity. Be honest with yourself about how much time you are able and willing to commit.
- Money. Along with initiation fees, dues, and room and board (which sometimes can be as cheap or cheaper than campus housing), there can be an awful lot of incidental expenses for things like social events and formal attire. Expenses do vary quite a bit at different schools and in different chapters, so if you’re concerned about money, investigate how much this will actually cost you.
- Image. Unfortunately, negative stereotypes about Greek life are abundant, and you’re likely to come across fellow students who judge you harshly because of your Greek affiliation. Attitudes about sororities can be especially unnerving. When I told a friend that I was thinking about rushing, he advised me not to because “everyone knows that girls join sororities because they want to have a lot of sex.” In addition, some of your professors have negative perceptions of what it means to be a Greek.
- Need for willpower and balance. All college students are faced with temptations such as alcohol, sex, and partying. If you join a fraternity or sorority, it’s likely that these temptations will be present all the more. Do you have the willpower to have fun in moderation and to not let it get in the way of other priorities, like your education? If you’re not sure if you can balance these things, perhaps you should think twice about joining.
- Insularity. Greek organizations are a great place to make friends, but sometimes these friendship groups become isolated from the rest of campus life. Meeting lots of different kinds of people can be a rewarding part of the college experience, and sometimes (though not always), Greek life can deter that.
- Academic concerns. Some Greek organizations pride themselves on their members’ high GPAs and scholarly achievements. And some Greek organizations, well, don’t. When considering a fraternity or sorority, ask them serious questions about their attitudes about studying, and find out what their reputation is around campus.
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The copyright of the article Greek Life: Disadvantages in Campus Activities is owned by Naomi Rockler-Gladen. Permission to republish Greek Life: Disadvantages in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
