Joining a fraternity or sorority is a dream many high school seniors have. Movies and shows have shown how wild the recruiting process can be, especially when it requires you to do outlandish things to make the cut. The reality is that not all recruiting is bogus – for instance, fraternity rush is a quicker process, so the recruitment is normally more relaxed. However, the school you go to will determine whether there is a formal rush or not. Either way, you should keep the following factors in mind when considering entering a fraternity rush.
- Going to Summer Rush Events
Some schools have summer rush events that you can go to. If yours does, definitely consider going. This will give you a chance to meet other students before class starts. You’ll see some frat members and possibly make acquaintances with some of them. There are a lot of fun activities normally planned for these events, such as lakehouse parties, canoe trips and house parties. The idea is to fraternize with the frat leaders. After school begins, keep track of the upcoming fall events.
- Being Proactive About Meeting the Right People
Frat leaders aren’t going to come knocking on your door to ask if you’re interested in joining their group. You’re going to have to go to their houses on campus and introduce yourself. If you live on campus, there’s no excuse not to. If you happen to walk pass someone wearing Greek letters from the campus fraternity, stop and talk to them. Take advantage of any chance you get to connect with the right people.
- Not Making Quick Decisions
Explore your options thoroughly before making a decision about which fraternity to join. You don’t want to take too long or you may miss out on your opportunity. However, you don’t want to feel too rushed either. Get to know the fraternity and what they represent. You are going to be a part of it, so make sure you like what they’re about.
- Getting to Know Other Freshmen
There will be other freshman at the fraternity rush events you attend, so go out of your way to find out who they are. These are potential frat brothers and sisters, so learn what you can about them. This shouldn’t be the basis of your decision, but it should definitely come into consideration as you’re choosing a fraternity.
- The Costs of Joining
Joining a fraternity isn’t necessarily free. You’re going to have to pay for different expenses, like house fees, recruitment fees, house dues, a wardrobe and social functions. Some expenses are optional, of course, but you’re more than likely going to want to spend money to enjoy the full experience fraternity life can offer. Some end up spending as much as $3,258 in the first year. It’s a good idea to check to see if your loan or financial aid will cover some of the costs.
Every student wants to have a sense of belonging while attending college and this is one way of establishing that. Joining a fraternity is like growing your family – you’ll have frat brothers and sisters that will likely become lifelong buddies. If you’re attending USF’s mpa online, then you won’t have to worry about fraternities or sororities.