Beyond deciding factors like affordability, potential major choices and location – the social atmosphere and culture of a college can deeply impact high school students' perceptions of a campus. Some students look to get involved in Greek life while others prefer schools where there are no Greek organizations. Deciding on your preference? Get to know the pros and cons of Greek life and learn more about the social scenes at campuses where the culture is not built around these clubs.
History and Definition
Greek organizations, known as fraternities and sororities, can provide a structured social environment at academic institutions and can have a significant influence on a college’s culture. Originally named after Greek letters, these clubs grew out of literary societies at the first American colleges. Greek organizations today still offer students a unique blend of philanthropy, leadership opportunities, academic support and social activities through membership.
Although they have internal leadership, local student affairs professionals oversee these groups along with national governance through one of the Greek system governing bodies: the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC), National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) and National Multicultural Greek Council (NMGC).
Pros and Cons
Social Network and Support
In theory, one of the greatest benefits of joining a fraternity or a sorority is the opportunity to gain a robust social network. Initiated with a smaller group of people in the same academic year, freshmen can quickly connect with a tight-knit group. They are also frequently paired with an older student in the same organization to help guide them during college as well as active alumni who are invested in the success of their members.
Greek organizations support students in many facets of college life. They offer students leadership and volunteer opportunities, places to study and resources to help with academics as well as fun social events to attend. In a recent Gallup Survey of over 10,000 college alumni, fraternity and sorority membership was tied to successful college experiences, strong development of career skills and higher post-graduate well-being than the average graduate.
Lifestyle Factors
In practice, however, higher education research points out not all Greek experiences are positive. For example, a research study of 1,595 college students (265 Greek members and 1,330 non-Greek members) found that Greek members were more likely to engage in higher alcohol consumption, smoke cigarettes and engage in risky sexual activities compared to non-Greek members.
Today, whether accurate or not, these stereotypes are compounded by negative representations of Greek life in Hollywood and the media. These portrayals frequently criticize Greek members for practicing risky behaviors, racial discrimination and dangerous hazing rituals.
Based on these concerns, the U.S. Department of Education recently wrote a report addressed to student affairs professionals across the country. They urged universities to help Greek members develop a stronger sense of social responsibility if they wanted to ensure long-term sustainability on college campuses.
A Major Investment
Beyond the positive and negative aspects associated with Greek life publicly, there are important investments worth considering privately before joining. First, Greek organizations typically require a significant financial commitment. Before making Greek life a deciding factor in your college choice, find out as much as you can about registration fees, membership fees, social expenses, room and board requirements, etc. Keep in mind that none of these fees can be covered through college financial aid. Then decide whether this type of organization is a financial priority for you during your college years.
Greek organizations are also a major time commitment. In the beginning, many organizations require a time-intensive initiation or pledgeship. Once this initial commitment phase is over, students are required to maintain a minimum GPA and attend weekly meetings and events for all four years of college to maintain membership. When considering whether Greek life is right for you, think through where you plan to spend most of your time in college.
How many hours of coursework do you expect to take per semester based on your graduation goals? What other involvement or work opportunities are you hoping to have during college? Does it all fit in your schedule? Many schools require Greek organizations to list both time and financial requirements on their websites, so if this experience is something you’re considering, do some research to figure out what the monetary and time investment might really look like at your intended school.
Campuses Without Greek Life
Many schools of all sizes offer vibrant social atmospheres without Greek organizations. From smaller student bodies like Berry College to larger student populations like Boston College, having a great experience is not dependent upon the availability of a Greek system. In fact, many of the Greek life advantages are embedded in the culture of academic institutions like Berry College.
Living and Learning Together
With more than 85% of students living on campus, Berry is known for its residential environment and the camaraderie that it creates among students. In live-in communities like this one, students frequently find opportunities to thrive and connect – working, studying, collaborating, playing and serving in a caring, supportive community. With connection at the heart of residential living, it is common that colleges like Berry facilitate a robust social network similar to that found in fraternities or sororities. However, rather than being “chosen” or sorted by peers, residential living allows students to foster friendships outside of designated social circles and meet people they might not have gotten to know otherwise.
Mentoring Practices and Alumni
For many schools without Greek life, intentional mentoring is already part of the college culture. Therefore, paying for mentoring through an organization is less important. For example, at Berry College, 100% of first-year students are assigned peer and faculty mentors. Most graduates report leaving Berry with three or more mentors from different Berry experiences.
Don’t fall into the trap of believing you need Greek alumni connections to make your way in the world. The numbers at schools like Berry work in students' favor. Berry has 2,100+ undergraduate students and employs 607 faculty, staff and coaches. Moreover, numerous alumni engage with students through programs like the Berry Center for Integrity in Leadership. Students at colleges like Berry are known, seen and valued. Their accomplishments are celebrated and their challenges supported without the support of a Greek club.
Outside the Classroom
Some students also have the misconception that campuses without the planning and hefty budgets of Greek organizations are not as fun or exciting. However, colleges like Berry make a concerted effort to create opportunities for students to have a great time on campus. Many of these events are planned, chosen and coordinated completely by and for students. The greatest difference is the events are open to everyone on campus whether hosted by a certain residence hall or other campus organizations. Similarly, there are no required tryouts or rushing to join a campus group. If you love to kayak, knit or perform stand-up comedy in your spare time, there’s likely an organization out there for you even if it’s not Greek affiliated.
As you evaluate your college options, keep in mind that you are joining a microculture of traditions, values and behavioral norms reflected in the student body's personality and the college's commitments. When deciding whether a college is right for you, get to know a school’s historical culture and reflect on whether the community will help you thrive, grow and feel like you belong.
Make Your Choice
Ultimately, choosing the right college is a personal decision that hinges on individual values, interests and long-term goals. Greek life can offer a strong sense of community and opportunities, but it also comes with commitments and challenges that aren't suited for everyone. If you're trying to decide how important this experience is to you, consider both the positive and negative aspects and reflect on what aligns with your college goals, expectations and aspirations.
Whether you're drawn to the culture of Greek life or prefer the flexibility and inclusivity of non-Greek social experiences, the most important factor is finding a college community where you feel supported, valued and motivated to grow.
