Help choosing a fraternity
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Do the greek guys here realize that the "paying for friends" has nothing to do with a cost comparison between the dorms and the greek life.
I did now some decent frat guys while I was at ISU. But for every 1 decent guy I knew, I also knew 3 guys that were so socially inept outside of the frat life, they wouldn't have a tenth of the friends they did if it wasn't for the frat.
Now what I can't comment on was if they were like this before the frat, or became this because of the frat.
I did now some decent frat guys while I was at ISU. But for every 1 decent guy I knew, I also knew 3 guys that were so socially inept outside of the frat life, they wouldn't have a tenth of the friends they did if it wasn't for the frat.
Now what I can't comment on was if they were like this before the frat, or became this because of the frat.
I am in a fraternity here. I would like to say that I have lived in the res. halls my first year and loved every second of it. It was my first family far from home and to this day I am still best friends with them. I wanted more out of my college experience and decided to go greek. So far it has been one of the best decisions of my life.
Also, the paying for your friends thing is a joke. You pay to live on campus as a freshman where they put you in situations to make friends quick and easy.
Just make sure that if you are interested in joining a fraternity to look at the people who are in it rather than parties, etc...
Also, the paying for your friends thing is a joke. You pay to live on campus as a freshman where they put you in situations to make friends quick and easy.
Just make sure that if you are interested in joining a fraternity to look at the people who are in it rather than parties, etc...
I was a member of ATO at a different college and always heard the Iowa State ATO's were a different breed. In terms of Greek Life altogether, it has its ups and downs. My freshman and sophmore years living in a frat was a great to party when you couldn't (legally) go to the bars. I joined with a group of friends I had already made so to me it felt less like "buying my friends" and more like "buying a place where my friends and I could go party."
Towards the end of college I was getting kind of sick of the whole thing. I'd made my friends and we more often than not hit the bars rather than sticking around the house. The one thing that got really old to me is that because you bid a kid and he accepted that you had to act all friendly-- I hated that and honestly didn't really even buy into it. Also, you are going to have people who feel the fraternity is the place they've chosen to live and party and some people who buy into it as some sacred institution. These different perspectives can cause problems too.
Then there is life after college. I've had a handful of lucky breaks go my way just by listing ATO on my resume. I've had my resume fall into the hands of other ATO alums who gave me an interview and asked me about my ATO experience. It is a great networking tool, if nothing else
Towards the end of college I was getting kind of sick of the whole thing. I'd made my friends and we more often than not hit the bars rather than sticking around the house. The one thing that got really old to me is that because you bid a kid and he accepted that you had to act all friendly-- I hated that and honestly didn't really even buy into it. Also, you are going to have people who feel the fraternity is the place they've chosen to live and party and some people who buy into it as some sacred institution. These different perspectives can cause problems too.
Then there is life after college. I've had a handful of lucky breaks go my way just by listing ATO on my resume. I've had my resume fall into the hands of other ATO alums who gave me an interview and asked me about my ATO experience. It is a great networking tool, if nothing else
I lived in the dorms (larch) and was in a fraternity (delta sigma pi) at ISU. I can honestly say that I had WAY more fun and made WAY more lifelong friends in the dorms than anywhere else. Being in a frat carries a lot of negative connotations and most people think you're a total tool outside of the greek community (which is dying more and more every year). Larch was a blast because it brings you close with people from all different backgrounds that you may not have met otherwise. Plus there are GIRLS in dorms, not just forty dudes sharing a run down house. Also the food is pretty amazing. MWL or friley are the way to go dude.
Wow, really? Judge a guy on his name? Randy is a good guy (maybe a little bit funny looking haha) and doesn't really fit the typical frat stereotype at all. Dude puts a whole lot of effort into helping ISU athletics, too, the one thing we all here at CF can agree is a good thing.
Having a place to truly call HOME on campus is what I like most about my Greek Experience. Many people move 4-5 times in their time on campus, but being in a Greek house allows you to have one consistent home, or common place through your whole college experience. Not saying other options don't provide that, but the Greek system has provided me some consistency and stability in my college life that I don't think I would have gotten anywhere else.
the uninformed blatant stereotyping in this thread is great.
to the OP, if you just want to party and meet chicks, dont join a fraternity. it isnt just all getting hammered and having a great time 24/7. there are responsibilities and commitment that come with joining a house. it's people who go into it with the "i just want to get crazy and meet girls" attitude that end up not liking greek life.
to the OP, if you just want to party and meet chicks, dont join a fraternity. it isnt just all getting hammered and having a great time 24/7. there are responsibilities and commitment that come with joining a house. it's people who go into it with the "i just want to get crazy and meet girls" attitude that end up not liking greek life.
I am not a student at Iowa State, but I am a big fan of ISU athletics and have two brothers who have graduated from ISU. With that being said, I am a member of LXA at Simpson College. My experience thus far has been beyond words. I absolutely love the guys that I live in house with and can honestly say that the fraternity has made me a better man, but that isn't necessarily the case around the nation. I can say that I have heard different perspectives and have actually researched fraternities and their relationships with campus communities across the nation. One thing that seems pretty common is the vast difference between private college fraternities and university fraternities. This has to do with the kinds of people that attend each school and the kind of mindset that they enter rush with. If you are looking to get into Greek Life to simply get laid, drink beer, and have a good time, maybe you should reconsider because honestly, I don't want to associate with you being part of the same fraternal organization as I am. As far as Elitism goes, that is another part of Fraternities on Universities that I don't understand. If the chapters that have this mentality would pay attention to the teachings, rituals, and ideals of their Fraternity then they wouldn't have that sort of mentality. That can be said for any fraternity that uses women for sexual satisfaction, focuses on the lesser activities of the Fraternity such as drinking, or any other sort of dishonorable conduct. With all of that being said, I would recommend you really look into each house. Get to know the guys and seek quality men. I know I would not have joined LXA if I had not believed that I were making a good decision for my own personal growth, which should be your ultimate reasoning for joining any sort of social organization. Fraternity means something more than weekend parties. I wish you the best in your search, and pray you may find the most suitable place for you, whether it be in the dorms with many great people, or part of a brotherhood.
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Do anti-greeks have a bat signal to come bash the greek system that may at times not be in the best light, but overall a positive thing for many students? Goes both ways there buddy.
Are you implying that there is no such men in fraternities? I don't know the ISU Greek system. I can't be sure there are for sure good men in the fraternities. But something tells me that you live with the same predetermined mindset of all fraternities and their members that most people do.
I also stated above that I come from a private college whose atmosphere tends to be a bit different from that of a University. And also, where the Greek system is doing great things. I am completely ignorant to ISU's Greek system, and therefore tried to answer the OP's question to the best of my knowledge. If there is absolutely no good group of men in any of the fraternities, then don't join. If I misinterpreted your statement, I'm sorry.
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Also an AGR Alumni. I would say as well that the greek system isn't for everyone but if you are interested in joining a house make sure you chose one that you feel most comfortable with and not one that just looks like they have the most parties. Personally joining AGR was the best decision I made in college.
I think the most unique thing about fraternity life is the leadership and guidance of the junior and senior members of the fraternity. The upperclassman are great resources when it comes to class selection, internship advise, and suggesting which campus activities to be involved in. The guidance I received from those upperclassman as well as our house advisers helped me achieve what I feel was an extremely successful college career and I wouldn't change any of the experiences I had or the people within the University that I got to network with for anything.
