Going Greek: Is Joining a Sorority or Fraternity the Right Choice for Your Teen?

Drawbacks: Isolation, Temptation, and High Costs

Although Greek life can be great, it also has some drawbacks. Here are the negatives your teen will need to consider:

• Some fraternities and sororities require members to live in their housing, which can limit your ability to make friends outside of your Greek house.
• Greek life, whether or not you live in the frat house, can take up your entire social life and isolate you from other students.
• Although Greek life provides a ready-made social life, you’re not assured of getting along with your sorority sisters or fraternity brothers.
• While some Greek houses have required study hours and boast high GPAs for their members, others have a very social atmosphere which may tempt you to ignore your studies.
• The costs of belonging can be high. Dues can reach up to $800 per semester -- a steep $1,600 a year!  Some dues cover social events and expenses but others don’t, so it’s a good idea to check out what’s included in the dues before committing. And if your teen is planning to study abroad for a semester or a year, he may still have to pay the dues.

An Alternative: Non-Greek Houses

Some campuses offer non-Greek houses, societies, or membership clubs in addition to -- or instead of -- the Greek system. Joining a club or society can give you a sense of belonging to a social group without all the trappings of Greek life.

Play the Waiting Game: Rushing or Waiting a Semester

Your college freshman may want to consider going through rushing, just to get a feel for Greek life and decide if it’s right for her. Or she might consider waiting until second semester -- or even until sophomore year-- to rush, if that’s an option. Waiting will allow your college freshman to get used to campus life, meet friends outside the Greek system, and adjust to the academic demands of college.

The important thing is that your teen carefully weighs the pros and cons, and then decides what’s right for her. That way she’ll be confident she’s made the right choice and she’ll be on her way to making the most of college life.

Related Articles

Preparing Your Child for the Social Aspects of College

The Real College Guide: Going Greek

Fraternities and Sororities: Deciding Whether the Greek Life is for You