What are some of the pros and cons of joining the fraternity? Can I quit if I don't like it?

This is a great question and one i had as i entered college. i ended up joining a greek organization and have some experiences i would like to share.

Pros - I met two of my best friends by joining a fraternity. The group itself was very welcoming and helped with broadening my social circle. It was a great experience and it really helped me as i grew. I was able to take on a few positions in my greek organization and learn some skills that i use today. It made sure i always had a group of people to do something with.

Cons - time. A lot of greek organizations ask a lot of your time, especially in the beginning. It can be very difficult to juggle in your first year. If you are working as well as going to school, it can be too much. Studying with rushing a fraternity can sometimes get in the way of each other and you can feel being pulled in too many directions.

My suggestion would be to wait til your second year of college to rush a fraternity or to make sure you are putting the right priorities when you are deciding where your time should go. joining a fraternity was the best thing i never want to do again :)

Xin,

Fraternities and sororities can definitely broaden your social circle. There are different types. Traditional ones have have a selection process called rush and focus on social and often, some community service and leadership activities. This is often called Greek life because most use Greek letters in their names by tradition. Other fraternities have a special interest focus, such as hobbies, majors, or community service as their central mission. Parties with alcohol involved, initiations, and hazing have become a problem and safety issue for some fraternities and sororities. It is important to do your research by meeting current members at your school and finding out what their groups are like . Also, there are sometimes membership fees that vary a lot, from being free to a thousand dollars per semester or more. This is because some maintain a house where members live and also pay to their overseeing national organization that supports their leadership and programming.

I was never part of a sorority, but my two daughters are and they enjoy it. It is important to realize you can find a social group in other ways, like through sports or clubs, if you don’t think joining a traditional fraternity is for you. And, yes, you can drop out whenever you want.

Joining a fraternity you are interested in is a great idea. There are several co-ed professional fraternities that will help you network and develop.

Xin,

Joining a fraternity can be a great experience in college but is definitely not necessary. Some of the pros are meeting people with similar interests that you will enjoy hanging out with. I met some of my best friends in my fraternity and they will be my best friends for life. It also offers great leadership opportunities and chances to take part in charity work and philanthropic activities. In my experience you can definitely quit if you do not like it, in that respect it is similar to other clubs.

Some cons might be that it takes up a lot of your time. I think it is important to find a fraternity that will let you balance your time the way you want to. Also as mentioned above hazing can be an outcome. Although there are always fraternities that will not take part in this it can be a possibility. But if you spend time getting to know the people before you decide to join it can be a very rewarding experience.