How to choose a fraternity

**keepngoal** · 07-14-2008, 04:41 PM

Originally Posted by gocubs2118

I like my house since we are "damp". Thats means no alcohol on the weekdays. That allows you to focus on your studies during the week but then have a good time on the weekends. It gives you an incentive to get through the week.

good rule. What was the punishment for not following it?

and could you go to a bar to drink?

-keep

**CloneIce** · 07-14-2008, 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by gocubs2118

I like my house since we are "damp". Thats means no alcohol on the weekdays. That allows you to focus on your studies during the week but then have a good time on the weekends. It gives you an incentive to get through the week.

You have more willpower than I did in college. I always had class during the day, which was my incentive to make it through the day without drinking, which I could generally do on Monday and Tuesday at most.

Of course I am a long ways from normal... It took me til about my 2nd sr. year until I realized Iowa State actually help classes on Fridays.

**Rogue52** · 07-14-2008, 05:09 PM

I thought about joining a frat. I met with a couple houses and decided it wasn't for me. I probably would have made more friends, but that was not really a big deal to me.

I don't have anything against the Greek System, alot of people sware by it, but I always thought it was convenient how homecoming was turned into their own personal event -- on top of Greek Week.

**mg4cy** · 07-14-2008, 05:54 PM

Its not a bad idea to live in the dorms for 1 year, then get to know the fraternities through informal rush activities, then take as much time as you want before a decision. Also, maybe the dorms will be less distracting? with fewer activities....depends where you live, so you can get your academics lined up the first year.

Its best to meet as many of the guys as you can during several functions.

Formal rush, 1 week, seemed too fast to make a good decision. Summer or semester rush would be better.

In the end, if you are elected into the leadership of the fraternity, the experience is like running a small business - budget, maintenance, finance/funding, planning, meetings, committees, public relations, etc....good career building, resume experience.

**jlej731** · 07-14-2008, 06:24 PM

I would ask each Fraternity you are checking out about their values, leadership opportunities and other ways to get involved (service, competitions, etc). Guys can be cool in many different houses - look for things that set them apart from the pack and look for a good fit for you.

**ajk4st8** · 07-14-2008, 06:29 PM

Just remember too... in college it is really easy to get involve with good service/volunteer work on your own without a frat.

**scottie33** · 07-14-2008, 06:34 PM

It's simple...don't

**ISUboi12** · 07-14-2008, 06:46 PM

Seriously guys, there is nothing wrong with the Greek system.

In certain circumstances it takes a few years out of high school for some to realize how to prepare food, know when to make their bed, brush their teeth, not to rape girls, etc...

I didn't figure some of these things out until I was 16. I certainly see how the Greek system could be adventageous and downright necessary.

:)

**sunset** · 07-14-2008, 06:49 PM

My goodness are you guys/gals really so insecure about yourselves and the decisions you made in college that you have to try to tear down a significant portion of the rest of the university.

Quick, which is superior blue or red?

**Cyclone62** · 07-14-2008, 06:50 PM

Originally Posted by CloneIce

Yeah, that is completely ridiculous to me.

I lived in 4-7 bedroom houses in West Ames through college. My advice is to buy the crappiest, cheapest house you can find, party like crazy, and don't ever expect a deposit back. Buy a house where you can clean the floor with a shop-size push broom. Expect to have many "nuisance party violations" written in your name.

Ahh.... I did that for a year. Man, there are some very bad stories that involve that house. Broken windows, throwing kegs, getting $100 deposit back for a $1500 deposit, holes in walls, someone ripping out a washer while it was still attached to the water pipe, flooding the basement.

I'm sure I"m missing some things too.

**ISUboi12** · 07-14-2008, 06:55 PM

Originally Posted by sunset

My goodness are you guys/gals really so insecure about yourselves and the decisions you made in college that you have to try to tear down a significant portion of the rest of the university.

Quick, which is superior blue or red?

Did you really just try to make a point by asking that question on CYCLONEfanatic? You must be a conservative...

**CloneFan03** · 07-14-2008, 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by mjones34

I never was in a frat, so I can't comment either way, but my friend always used to say "Joining a frat is basically buying friends and doing chores."

I don't understand how it is buying your friends at all. If you rented an apartment and then became friends with other people in your building, wouldn't it be basically the same thing?

**CloneFan03** · 07-14-2008, 07:12 PM

Originally Posted by bostinelosd

Joining a frat is fine, just dont do anything stereotypical of a fratter and youll be ok. =)

...and you'll have people on here years after they graduate complaining about the couple stereotypical things they saw and place those stereotypes on the entire group...

**aeroclone** · 07-14-2008, 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by sunset

My goodness are you guys/gals really so insecure about yourselves and the decisions you made in college that you have to try to tear down a significant portion of the rest of the university.

Quick, which is superior blue or red?

Red..... no Blue..... err Red.... ahh too much pressure, I can't decide!! ..... I guess I will just join a frat so they can decide for me!

**cyclonenum1** · 07-14-2008, 07:28 PM

I could only stand to skim these posts. However, it appears that the bashing is really coming from only one side...a non-greek bashing the greek system...I really didn't see any greeks bashing the residence halls or living off campus.

As with most things, this ends up being a personal preference. I enjoyed being a part of a house...something that was bigger than just me. I met a group of guys became great friends that I keep in contact with to this day.

I found during my time at ISU that people in the greek system were far more active in becoming involved in running various campus activites like Homecoming, Veishea, the MDA Dance-a-thon, etc. Not that you cannot get involved with these things if you are in a residence hall or off campus...you can...I just found the greek mentality one that encouraged being involved.

I served as a Rush Chair for my fraternity and I concur with some of the comments others have made...you need to have a good comfort level with the guys in the house...especially the younger ones and the other pledges. You want to seek out one that has its "stuff" together...academic programs, physical plant, tradition of campus involvement, good reputation, etc.