Housing, to go Greek or not?

isucyfan · 03-10-2008, 06:50 PM

I had two awesome RA's in my two dorm years, so that definitely helped.

mojo · 03-10-2008, 06:50 PM

Originally Posted by isucyfan

Completely biased, but I think dorm life offers more freedom, which was the draw for me. I didn't like the idea that the frat would tell me when to eat, when to study, when to clean my room, etc. Maybe they are not all like that, but that's what I remember what turned me off.

I just have to say that my experience was nothing like that, Im not sure which house you were a part of but I've never heard of that before where your told when to eat, clean, study.

isucyfan · 03-10-2008, 06:52 PM

Originally Posted by mojo

I just have to say that my experience was nothing like that, Im not sure which house you were a part of but I've never heard of that before where your told when to eat, clean study.

I wasn't in one, but a friend who was talked about certain times the freshman had to study, that they had to keep rooms clean, etc.

Maybe exaggerated, but that's what turned me off initially. It seemed that there were a lot of scheduled things. I could be wrong.

rhillary · 03-10-2008, 06:53 PM

Originally Posted by isucyfan

I had two awesome RA's in my two dorm years, so that definitely helped.

My RA totally rocked too. He literally caught us with booze in our rooms (me and roommate were 18-19) and just told us to "make sure no other RA got called so he didn't get in trouble". If you get a strict RA, the dorm experience would be much worse.

mojo · 03-10-2008, 06:56 PM

Originally Posted by isucyfan

I wasn't in one, but a friend who was talked about certain times the freshman had to study, that they had to keep rooms clean, etc.

Maybe exaggerated, but that's what turned me off initially. It seemed that there were a lot of scheduled things. I could be wrong.

I would agree there a lot of scheduled things but it was more like there are all these things going on and you can choose to do this or that if you want to, you're time was your own and you chose how much you wanted to be involved in things, but i will say this time management is something you need to be aware of i think whether in a fraternity or not, its easy to not study or do this or that instead of what you "should" be doing.

gocubs2118 · 03-10-2008, 06:56 PM

Originally Posted by isucyfan

I wasn't in one, but a friend who was talked about certain times the freshman had to study, that they had to keep rooms clean, etc.

Maybe exaggerated, but that's what turned me off initially. It seemed that there were a lot of scheduled things. I could be wrong.

Of course when your a freshman their will be some scheduled events. Nothing like when to clean your room or when to brush your teeth or anything like that. There are a certain amount of study hours for freshman in many houses but you can do those at anytime.

rhillary · 03-10-2008, 06:57 PM

Originally Posted by isucyfan

I wasn't in one, but a friend who was talked about certain times the freshman had to study, that they had to keep rooms clean, etc.

Maybe exaggerated, but that's what turned me off initially. It seemed that there were a lot of scheduled things. I could be wrong.

People blow this out of proportion. A lot (not all) frats do have study hours for freshman or people not getting about a certain GPA (usually 3.0). This is to help a new student get use to studieing and managing their time. It is usually only like 1 hour a night mon-thursday so it isn't that big a deal. My frat allow you to "opt out" once you had a semester under your belt with a 3.0. This showed that you can do it by yourself so you don't need study hours.

As for being told when to eat, it is no different than the dorms there. There is a time slot where food is out and you can come get some if you want, if you don't, that is fine. It operates just like dining services (mine did atleast).

BvK1126 · 03-10-2008, 06:58 PM

I lived in the dorms my freshman year, and a fraternity thereafter. I did not have a good experience on my dorm floor. Almost everyone there kept to themselves. I made few friends on my floor, despite my efforts to do so, and felt pretty isolated.

The fraternity situation was just the opposite. I wound up making a number of great friends in the fraternity, many of whom remain among my best friends some 15 or more years later. I also, interestingly enough, got much better grades in the fraternity. We had some good study resources available for those who wanted to take advantage of them (though, not surprisingly, not all did). I also wound up being involved in a number of campus organizations that I likely would not have even been aware of had I not been in the fraternity. Overall, the fraternity was a great fit for me, and it definitely enhanced my experience at Iowa State.

All that said, it really depends on the individual, and also to the dorm or fraternity. Some of my friends were on great floors in the dorms and loved it there. No question, you can have a great college experience in the residence halls if you wind up in the right place. Conversely, while my fraternity was a great fit for me, there were other fraternities that would not have been the right fit. If you decide to think seriously about joining a fraternity, make sure you look at a good handful and do your homework before you choose.

IcSyU · 03-10-2008, 06:58 PM

Originally Posted by rhillary

My RA totally rocked too. He literally caught us with booze in our rooms (me and roommate were 18-19) and just told us to "make sure no other RA got called so he didn't get in trouble". If you get a strict RA, the dorm experience would be much worse.

That can depend on what building you're in. As long as you don't do something to **** off the CAs as they are now called (Community Advisors), you won't get written up in M-W-L (only one I can speak for). Martin and Eaton on the other hand...Nazis!

4VR4CY · 03-10-2008, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by mojo

I just have to say that my experience was nothing like that, Im not sure which house you were a part of but I've never heard of that before where your told when to eat, clean study.

Agreed. Check out Farmhouse. When I was in school, they had a lot of engineering students and they were academically oriented as well as fun.

I lived in dorms for 1.5 years, sorority for 2 years and apartment for my last semester. I enjoyed them all. Take a few visits to the frats and get to know some of the guys. If you like them and feel comfortable, join. If you don't feel comfortable, then don't join.

rhillary · 03-10-2008, 07:05 PM

If I had to do it over again, I would do the dorms for one semester and rush fraternities while I was living in the dorms. Like a lot of people said, frats and/or dorms depend on the person. I will say this: if your a social person and like to hang out with buddies (i.e. not a shut in), I 100% gaurantee there is a frat out there somewhere that you would like. I was friends with everyone in my frat so it would be like someone taking their closest 20-25 friends and calling themselfs a frat.

isucyfan · 03-10-2008, 07:11 PM

Originally Posted by rhillary

My RA totally rocked too. He literally caught us with booze in our rooms (me and roommate were 18-19) and just told us to "make sure no other RA got called so he didn't get in trouble". If you get a strict RA, the dorm experience would be much worse.

We put on a mini-golf house party where strokes under par equalled shots served the golfer. (Rules were liberal...people got shots for trying hard.) My RA said, "I don't know about this, and I will be out of town."

Aldude505 · 03-10-2008, 07:13 PM

Based on my freshman year and being in the computer engineering program myself I chose the Eaton dorm. This was based on a number of things, one was this was a newer dorm and it is in very nice condition. Secondly it has study rooms and high speed internet in every room. I know it is a substance free dorm, but there are plently of places to party around campus. If your grades are of real importance I would seriously consider the dorms.

Aldude505 · 03-10-2008, 07:17 PM

I also have to put in here that we have had some serious parties in Eaton and Martin...as long as it doesn't get really out of hand (drunks in the hall, or answering the door with a beer in your hand) the CA's are usually pretty good about just tellin you to keep it down. I know that you can get away with more in Helser, Friley, and MWL but come on Eaton has carpet...and you only have to share a shower and bathroom with 4 ppl!!!

BCforISU · 03-10-2008, 07:18 PM

It realy comes down to the house you join and how you are able to deal with weekly meetings, school, and if you want to make friends outside of the house. My brother had a great experience with his fraternity, it allowed him learn how to be a leader, he was also able to use the experiences of older members to decide on what direction he would go towards while at ISU. I also lived in the house for a semester, I enjoyed the experience but moved out because it wasn't a good fit for me.
Some great benefit are as follows:
1. food is always available and you don't need to have extra money to buy it. (included in your semester bill)
2. always have help with studies
3. immediate network of friends

I would suggest either rushing during your 1st semester if you want the dorm experience, or getting intouch with fraternities soon so you can see what summer rush is all about.
Summer rush is pretty cool, you can hang out with the members prior to deciding, that way you can see if you like the guys or not.

Negatives from my experience:
1. Most houses are dry, I was 21 when I joined so it was a little frustrating not being able to drink in my own place.
2. You always had meetings every week.

If I were to start college again at 19 I would join a fraternity. You get great assistance starting out from Alum and current members from day 1.
Good luck and welcome to ISU!!