If you are thinking about pledging for a sorority or fraternity, then you want to know that Greek life is something that will really improve your college experience. While it is a time honored tradition in American collegiate history, it’s definitely not for everybody. There are definitely a lot of pros and cons just like everything, but in the end it really just comes down to your personality and whether or not you will enjoy it. Here are some questions you should answer for yourself if you’re considering Greek life in college.
Are You an Extrovert?
An extrovert is somebody who is very outgoing and enjoys socializing with large groups of people. Greek life is all about connecting, having fun, and working with a family of friends. These people aren’t your real family, but you will call them your brothers or sisters, and you will definitely be expected to devote yourself to these people as though they were your real family. It’s all a part of the bonding process that makes it possible to put so many people in one house and maintain a certain sense of order.
Do You Like Communal Living?
If you’ve never lived with a bunch of people at once, then you may not know what it’s like. It’s important to know that you will be sharing a bathroom with several other people, so you can’t always take a shower whenever you feel like it. You will also be sharing a lot of communal space, like the kitchen and living room, so you will have to be considerate of others by adhering to rules of cleanliness and a certain code of conduct. Failing to cooperate fully with all these demands could result in you being forced to de-pledge.
Are You Looking for a Way to get Involved?
Greek life is great for those who want to get involved with their school and the surrounding community. One of the reasons why it is such a great resume booster is because you will be engaged in all kinds of projects that will promote the health and well being of your college. The longer you are involved the more responsibilities you will be asked to take on and your rank within the house will definitely make a difference when you are applying for certain jobs.
Can You Afford it?
One of the most important questions – if not the most important question – to ask yourself is whether or not you can actually afford to be in a fraternity or sorority. It is not cheap, and if you fail to fulfill all the duties that are expected of you, then you will be forced to pay fines on top of all your other college expenses. Then again, if you really don’t have much money for college, you shouldn’t be going to a standard college with a strong Greek life presence. You should earn your degree online at a school like Case Western Online and get your studies done independently.