Do adcoms look down upon being in a frat

[notdeadyet]

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We've also all seen the demographics for incoming medical school classes, and we know that the percentage of fraternity/sorority students accepted is representative of the populations their pulling from.

Source?

My experience has been that med school classes are much less "greek" than the general population of college campuses. The med school classes I'm familiar only have 10% or so fraternity/sorority backgrounds. Again, this may be a regional thing (these are all west coast).

Is it higher at other schools? I'd love to see some data.

For all the dubious stats folks have been throwing around about all presidents being fraternity brothers (bar two), I have yet to see a stat about the percentage of medical students who come out of fraternities. Personal experience: I'm not seeing it.

Not disbelieving you, Perrotfish, but I'd love to see some published data. If greeks were really well represented at medical schools, I would think that this fact would be trumpeted. You sure see it trumpeted about greek representation at business schools.

Why are fraternities so open with data about percentages of business school being greek, but so mum about it for medical schools? That fact, combined with personal experience of seeing way fewer greeks than I'd expect who are medical students, makes me wonder.

 

[notdeadyet]

Again, do not think me anti-fraternity/sorority. I very much take a live and let live approach.

I'm just hesitant to let people think that they will not encounter some negativity to their greek involvement in the admissions process. They might. Just as they might encounter some positivity as well.

I also don't want folks to think that I doubt the ability of folks from fraternities/sororities to get in to medical school. I just don't see them in medical school at nearly the same numbers as they exist on college campuses.

Greeks seem to be overrepresented at business schools, well represented at law schools, but underrepresented at medical schools. But again, it may be a regional thing. For all I know, University of Mississippi SOM could be 50% greek. I just haven't seen this anywhere.

 

[ScarletK1901]

i don't wanna be open-minded. frats suck and everyone knows it.

DO NOT PUT IT ON YOUR APPLICATION TO MEDICAL SCHOOL!!! when i read an mdapps and they list frat stuff, i immediately turn off. do you want to risk that
any member of an adcom will have that reaction???!

even if you believe that view is wrong and unfair, many/most people can't help having that reaction. you want to put in your PS, "please be open-minded about my fraternity experience."

good luck with that.

I am sorry, but if an adcom is going to look at my application and see my fraternity membership and then immediately dismiss me, that school and that person can go to (a four letter word that rhymes with *fell* ).

My membership in my fraternity and the roles that I took on as a result of that membership: chapter President, and then later Interfraternal Council President, Service Events Coordinator, etc...completely changed and molded me into the person I am currently. I am not conceited or arrogant when I say this, but I am the TOTAL package as a result of the experiences made possible through my Fraternity.

Now, I am not saying I wouldn't have turned out the same if I hadn't joined a Fraternity, but if a person is going to dismiss me because of my membership in a values-based organization, I would thank them for saving me from attending an institution where such practices are allowed.

If any of you here heard that a person's race or religious affiliation was looked down on by adcoms, you would all be disgusted. So how, then, can many of you sit there and think it is acceptable for a person's affiliation in Greek Life to be looked on negatively.

My opinion is: If an adcom comes across a frat boy's application, there will be many other alarms going off outside of the Greek Letters he listed (i.e. subpar grades, poor ECs, poor LORs, poor interview, etc). If an adcom comes across a Fraternity man's application, I am sure that his application will be on par with his peers, and his interview skills will be excellent.

If a person is not "made better for being a part of the Fraternity," he probably joined a Frat.

For those considering joining Greek Life, do your research into each particular organization and find out their reputation at your school...Its just like choosing a med school, a church, etc. It should be, after all, "a lifetime decision."

 

[VoiceofReason]

I am sorry, but if an adcom is going to look at my application and see my fraternity membership and then immediately dismiss me, that school and that person can go to (a four letter word that rhymes with *fell* ).

My membership in my fraternity and the roles that I took on as a result of that membership: chapter President, and then later Interfraternal Council President, Service Events Coordinator, etc...completely changed and molded me into the person I am currently. I am not conceited or arrogant when I say this, but I am the TOTAL package as a result of the experiences made possible through my Fraternity.

Now, I am not saying I wouldn't have turned out the same if I hadn't joined a Fraternity, but if a person is going to dismiss me because of my membership in a values-based organization, I would thank them for saving me from attending an institution where such practices are allowed.

If any of you here heard that a person's race or religious affiliation was looked down on by adcoms, you would all be disgusted. So how, then, can many of you sit there and think it is acceptable for a person's affiliation in Greek Life to be looked on negatively.

My opinion is: If an adcom comes across a frat boy's application, there will be many other alarms going off outside of the Greek Letters he listed (i.e. subpar grades, poor ECs, poor LORs, poor interview, etc). If an adcom comes across a Fraternity man's application, I am sure that his application will be on par with his peers, and his interview skills will be excellent.

If a person is not "made better for being a part of the Fraternity," he probably joined a Frat.

For those considering joining Greek Life, do your research into each particular organization and find out their reputation at your school...Its just like choosing a med school, a church, etc. It should be, after all, "a lifetime decision."

There are a few principles that are OK to sacrifice in order to just get into medical school. This is one of them. Be a proud frat boy after you get into school. Remember, its just the admissions committee. They just decide if you get into their school, they aren't usually intimately involved in all aspects of your education, and they aren't your classmates.

Unfortunately admissions is a game, and one that you want to win.

 

[lemon tree]

I am sorry, but if an adcom is going to look at my application and see my fraternity membership and then immediately dismiss me, that school and that person can go to (a four letter word that rhymes with *fell* ).

My membership in my fraternity and the roles that I took on as a result of that membership: chapter President, and then later Interfraternal Council President, Service Events Coordinator, etc...completely changed and molded me into the person I am currently. I am not conceited or arrogant when I say this, but I am the TOTAL package as a result of the experiences made possible through my Fraternity.

Now, I am not saying I wouldn't have turned out the same if I hadn't joined a Fraternity, but if a person is going to dismiss me because of my membership in a values-based organization, I would thank them for saving me from attending an institution where such practices are allowed.

If any of you here heard that a person's race or religious affiliation was looked down on by adcoms, you would all be disgusted. So how, then, can many of you sit there and think it is acceptable for a person's affiliation in Greek Life to be looked on negatively.

My opinion is: If an adcom comes across a frat boy's application, there will be many other alarms going off outside of the Greek Letters he listed (i.e. subpar grades, poor ECs, poor LORs, poor interview, etc). If an adcom comes across a Fraternity man's application, I am sure that his application will be on par with his peers, and his interview skills will be excellent.

If a person is not "made better for being a part of the Fraternity," he probably joined a Frat.

For those considering joining Greek Life, do your research into each particular organization and find out their reputation at your school...Its just like choosing a med school, a church, etc. It should be, after all, "a lifetime decision."

hahahahaha.


race, religion, gender, sexual orientation and frat membership.

read your Constitution!!!

 

[notdeadyet]

Now, I am not saying I wouldn't have turned out the same if I hadn't joined a Fraternity, but if a person is going to dismiss me because of my membership in a values-based organization, I would thank them for saving me from attending an institution where such practices are allowed.

Good attitude to have. Do keep in mind, though, that many adcoms will not know that your fraternity is a values-based organization (god knows they all aren't). To those unfamiliar with the Greek system, it's just three letters, all interchangeable. There needs to be some education done. That's started in the last 10 years or so but it's a long way from finished.

If any of you here heard that a person's race or religious affiliation was looked down on by adcoms, you would all be disgusted. So how, then, can many of you sit there and think it is acceptable for a person's affiliation in Greek Life to be looked on negatively.

No one asked me if I wanted to be white, straight or raised Catholic. If I wanted to join a fraternity, I'd have done it of free will as an adult male. the comparison doesn't reallly fit.

 

[ScarletK1901]

are you really trying to make the argument that it is OK to be judged based on affiliation with a fraternal organization?

We are not talking about the KKK, the communist party, or anything of the sort.

And yes, there are people who choose to be christian, jewish, etc. Not everyone is born into it.

I agree its all a game...but I will choose not to play it. To keep something that added so much to my collegiate experience off an application is ridiculous to me. If I am not accepted to certain schools because of that, then so be it; Their loss.

I will take the "be a proud frat boy" comment as just you not reading any of this thread vs. the alternative that you are trying to belittle being Greek.

 

[patekpremed]

.

 

[notdeadyet]

And yes, there are people who choose to be christian, jewish, etc. Not everyone is born into it.

If that's a reference to my comment, you'll note I said "raised Catholic" intentionally. You don't have a choice of the faith you're born into. I chose my words deliberately.

I'm assuming the rest was speaking to someone else's comments. If they were directed to me, i'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about.

 

[lemon tree]

 

[notdeadyet]

No offense, but you are a *****. I hope you are never my doctor.

Let's avoid name calling. Telling Scarlet you don't want him as your doctor is okay, but calling him a ***** isn't. It's a violation of SDN TOS. Moderators will start dinging folks for that.

 

[notdeadyet]

I love it. You've been getting a lot of mileage out of that one in Pre-Allo today, haven't you?

 

[lemon tree]

I love it. You've been getting a lot of mileage out of that one in Pre-Allo today, haven't you?

yeah, just sittin back watchin the show. usually i'm among those losing my cool, so it is nice to be on the sidelines for a change.

and i always laugh when people post the popcorn eater!!!! it never gets old.

 

[AlexMorph]

I'm gonna join lemon in this but will substitute pizza for popcorn. Can anyone find that emoticon?

 

[lemon tree]

I'm gonna join lemon in this but will substitute pizza for popcorn. Can anyone find that emoticon?

Big AM, where ya been all day, dude!!?? lots of hating goin on on SDN. good times

 

[AlexMorph]

Now, I'm sure the experience varies from region to region, but where I went to school frats and sororities were downright shameful organizations. One pledge died from alcohol consumption, another whole fraternity lost its charter for refusing to do any community service and sending people to the hospital almost regularly for alcohol and alcohol related injuries, yet another had their house condemned and taken away after refusing to fix dangerous defects in the flooring among other things (someone fell through the floor and into the basement). I know almost no frat brother that had any ambition other than to drink themselves to death before they turned 30. I remember a couple of them volunteered their sexual habits to me: like proclaiming their abstinence from condom use and propensity to "hit it raw" and "pull out and shoot it gangsta." They were surprised that I used condoms... pretty much nobody they knew ever did. The only one that I know of that did happen to "make something of himself" got accepted to Penn's dentistry program, and he constantly told me how great it was going to be because he would barely work, make scads of money, and could get away with a lot more negligence and illegality in dentistry than in medicine. He gave me a few examples of illegal things that went on undetected in his father's dentistry practice but I can't remember them any more.

I could go on, and these are just the frats. The sororities just seemed to me to be social clubs that relished being able to exclude people. I dated, or I guess I should say I was just "involved" with, a sorority sister so I know how little these organizations do anything meaningful and how often they just drink and screw. I met this girl freshman year, before she joined a sorority, and she was much more normal. Once she joined she literally became an alcoholic that could barely pass a general education requirement. I'm not sure if she was always insane and just hid it better, but the sorority brought it out of her in full bloom.

I'll say it again: I know that this probably isn't the same at every school. But I have a hard time believing it's a lot better anywhere else. I never joined a frat, I just befriended people from my classes that I liked talking to and hanging out with.

The stereotype is spot on where I went to school.

Nice post. This is what I've been exposed to anyways. Just wanted to add that at my university, one of the sororities made the following sentence their motto for one year.

"It's not easy being easy."

I'll let you guys ponder that one.

 

[AlexMorph]

Big AM, where ya been all day, dude!!?? lots of hating goin on on SDN. good times

Watching the football!!! What else?

 

[lemon tree]

Nice post. This is what I've been exposed to anyways. Just wanted to add that at my university, one of the sororities made the following sentence their motto for one year.

"It's not easy being easy."

I'll let you guys ponder that one.

awesome!!!!! i've been looking for a new motto. (btw, you know pickles outed me as a girl on the thread with girls talking about what kind of shirt to wear under their suits to interviews.)

you should check that thread out: LOTS of talk about big breasts popping out of shirts and cleavage and stuff. right up your alley. and cheeto's.

 

[AlexMorph]

exactly.

given all that, which cannot be disputed, WHY risk putting it on the AMCAS if there is ANY risk it will be a turnoff?

unfortunately, what we are dealing with here are people who already have applied and are now upset that they wish they had not put this on their application. i'm sorry, guys, but the truth is the truth: some/many people look down on frat/sorority membership. ergo, bad to highlight on an application to ANYTHING, otherr than another exclusive club!!!

i am sure the local country club will find it appealing!!!!

While I agree with what lemontree says here, I think the school plays a big part on the nature of the Greek society. Large, public universities are almost always like what VoiceofReason wonderfully spelled out in his post. Now, the smaller, private universities may not be like this. I can't speak of the latter, but I can definitely speak of the former. I've seen Greek life first-hand at 5 Big Ten universities. The image is not a particularly favorable one.

 

[VoiceofReason]

are you really trying to make the argument that it is OK to be judged based on affiliation with a fraternal organization?

We are not talking about the KKK, the communist party, or anything of the sort.

And yes, there are people who choose to be christian, jewish, etc. Not everyone is born into it.

I agree its all a game...but I will choose not to play it. To keep something that added so much to my collegiate experience off an application is ridiculous to me. If I am not accepted to certain schools because of that, then so be it; Their loss.

I will take the "be a proud frat boy" comment as just you not reading any of this thread vs. the alternative that you are trying to belittle being Greek.

I don't think you really understood what I was trying to say. I might really think being a gigolo afforded me unique and amazing perspectives, but I won't put that on my application because it can be misconstrued, misinterpreted, or what have you. Once you get into the school, the admissions committee is a non-factor. They're just the gatekeepers -- the faculty and students that you will be training under and with might be amazing people that you would have really enjoyed working with, and so your principles here might be keeping you from a really great medical school experience. I would urge you to play the game in this case.

And I'm not sure I understand what you mean there in the second set of bold text. Rereading what I wrote though, I'm thinking you might mean that the term "frat boy" is derogatory. What should I call you then instead? Some variation of the word "bro"? Is that what you guys call each other? Broseidon, lord of the brocean? Broseph Stalin? Bromaldehyde?

 

[Thewrongstuff]

From what I've read here, people advocating for putting it on the app view it as something positive and benificial assuming you are a good well rounded applicant. People against it highlight possible negative predispositions an adcom member may have against frats.

You can't play down a student for volunteering, but you can play down a student for being in a frat if you have a negative connection associated with one...which is not right at all but people will be people and nobody is perfect and unbiased in this world.

 

[Breazy]

I don't quite get why an adcom would look disfavorably on greek organizations based on some "Animal House" prejudice. Even if the "frat boy" and "sorority slut" profile is close to as widespread as people here make it seem, which is probably exaggerated anyways, why would it have such a negative bearing on application to med-school? Think about it. If you can pull a nasty GPA, rock the MCAT, and have mega EC's, while still being able to hang out and party (or "frat hard"), then the more power to you. To me, any rational adcom would see fraternity/sorority membership, at the very least, as evidence of being able to socialize, interact with others, and not locking yourself in the room all day studying. Afterall, isn't patient interaction and communication with others vital to being a doctor? Granted that partying isn't exactly a quality to look for in a doctor, I'm sure that some of the people skills will certainly translate from "fratting out" to practicing medicine. To answer the previous question of why there probably aren't as many greek members in medical school as business school: I think it's because too few people can put up the numbers (MCAT and GPA) and EC's while being part of a fraternity or sorority as compared with business school. Greek membership is or at least should be, imo, just one more EC that adds dimension and personality to an applicant. Maybe I'm missing something completely?

 

[AlexMorph]

I don't quite get why an adcom would look disfavorably on greek organizations based on some "Animal House" prejudice. Even if the "frat boy" and "sorority slut" profile is close to as widespread as people here make it seem, which is probably exaggerated anyways, why would it have such a negative bearing on application to med-school? Think about it. If you can pull a nasty GPA, rock the MCAT, and have mega EC's, while still being able to hang out and party (or "frat hard"), then the more power to you. To me, any rational adcom would see fraternity/sorority membership, at the very least, as evidence of being able to socialize, interact with others, and not locking yourself in the room all day studying. Afterall, isn't patient interaction and communication with others vital to being a doctor? Granted that partying isn't exactly a quality to look for in a doctor, I'm sure that some of the people skills will certainly translate from "fratting out" to practicing medicine. To answer the previous question of why there probably aren't as many greek members in medical school as business school: I think it's because too few people can put up the numbers (MCAT and GPA) and EC's while being part of a fraternity or sorority as compared with business school. Greek membership is or at least should be, imo, just one more EC that adds dimension and personality to an applicant. Maybe I'm missing something completely?

That's the key to your post right there. I know that to be the case with an n=4 in my experience.

 

[Davjc2009]

hey, the OP used the word "frat." sorry if i offended you fraternity boys. no personal bad experiences, just heard of a bunch of pretty awful stories. agree that the community service is great at some/most fraternities.

did you watch the MTV shows "Sorority Life" and "Fraternity Life??" And you wonder why there are negative stereotypes out there? cmon, be serious.

i am just echoing the word on the street about fraternities by people who are not in them. take it for what it is worth. i strongly doubt that it would be considered a "plus" on a ned school app.

Did you ever watch The Real World on MTV? I mean there's a reason why people think of young people the way they do. All they do is drink and have sex and don't do anything with their life?

If you see if on TV, it must be true!

 

[notdeadyet]

I don't quite get why an adcom would look disfavorably on greek organizations based on some "Animal House" prejudice.

I think that for most people who have a negative impression of fraternitities, it came from experiences a bit closer to home than "Animal House". And again, most adcoms are basing their impressions on what fraternities were like in the 70's and 80's. This whole push to position fraternities as largely service organizations is a relatively recent move.

A knee jerk reaction for recent college graduates upon hearing the word "fraternity" might very well be service, charity, and altruism. But poll folks who graduated in the 80's and they may think more along the lines of binge drinking, date rape, and rich white kids. Fair or not, realize that folks interactions with faternities 20 years ago were very different than what folks may be having today.

To answer the previous question of why there probably aren't as many greek members in medical school as business school: I think it's because too few people can put up the numbers (MCAT and GPA) and EC's while being part of a fraternity or sorority as compared with business school. Greek membership is or at least should be, imo, just one more EC that adds dimension and personality to an applicant. Maybe I'm missing something completely?

No, I think you're right.

 

[lord_jeebus]

We interview our candidates to make determinations about their character.

I don't even recall which applicants were in a fraternity or sorority because I really don't care.

 

[Jolie South]

I To me, any rational adcom would see fraternity/sorority membership, at the very least, as evidence of being able to socialize, interact with others, and not locking yourself in the room all day studying. Afterall, isn't patient interaction and communication with others vital to being a doctor?

Not exactly, isn't their type of socialization highly exclusionary? (meaning that if you're not in, they won't socialize with you) I hardly think the uppity us vs. them mentality is what adcoms are looking for. Again, I apologize if this isn't the case for some of you folks, but this is what I experienced where I went to school.

Also, if I had a nickel for every time I went to a restroom in a bar and saw 2 wasted sorority chicks sharing a bathroom stall (seriously who does this?) and then come out and look at ME like I was CRAZY, I'd be rich right now.

 

[Davjc2009]

Not exactly, isn't their type of socialization highly exclusionary? (meaning that if you're not in, they won't socialize with you) I hardly think the uppity us vs. them mentality is what adcoms are looking for. Again, I apologize if this isn't the case for some of you folks, but this what I experienced where I went to school.

Also, if I had a nickel for every time I went to a restroom in a bar and saw 2 wasted sorority chicks sharing a bathroom stall (seriously who does this?) and then come out and look at ME like I was CRAZY, I'd be rich right now.

Nothing that girls in groups do ever make sense.
j/k

 

[Thewrongstuff]

Girls at parties in general are weird. They throw mini parties in the bathroom in groups of five for like half an hour. All the sorority girls I have known are complete jerks also, some are smart academically but are dumb as rocks when it comes to knowing what is going on around them and acting professionally or nice to other people.

Ot:
My previous roomate (who was pledging) was dating a sorority girl and started cheating on her with one of my semi-friends. That ended up with a fight that gave me a bloody forehead and him nearly chocking on a pizza.

Was worth it too...I hate jerks regardless of who they are.

My current roomate is a frat guy with a .6 gpa. Lazy idiot he is.

 

[jad2121]

Fraternity, not frat, fraternity.

Would you call you country a ****?

you seem like a person who was not picked to be in a frat

 

[njbmd]

Hey im just wondering if anybody has anything to say about this. I am thinking about joining a frat and I have this thing stuck in my head that adcoms will look down upon it due to the party life style associated w/being in a greek frat. I study a plenty, participate in sports, volunteer, hang out, but I also want to have some more fun in college...

This is a non-issue for admission to medical school if your AMCAS application is competitive within the context of the rest of the applicant pool to the schools that you applied. In short, if you can belong to a fraternity, manage and excel in your academics, do some volunteer/community work (can be done within the context of a fraternity), shadow a physician (graduated fraternity brothers may be source for this) and have some fun, then your participation in a fraternity may be an enhancement for medical school.

On the other hand, if you can't control your social life, wind up with problems associated with substance abuse (alcohol or others), poor academics and other negative lifestyle issues, as a result of joining a fraternity, then it's going to be a negative.

Bottom line: If you are the type of person to do things that show poor judgment and immaturity, then avoid those things. If not, joining a fraternity isn't going to help or hurt you unless you allow it.

 

[SilkyDelicious]

I'm sure many of you have plenty of reasons for despising fraternities and sororities, but try to be mature...seriously. There are thousands of colleges and universities all over the country, and I'm sure each is a little different. It just isn't necessary to claim someone you have never met and probably never will should not join an organization or claim membership in one because you personally have had bad experiences with a similar group. Even better, I'm sure some of you have never even had any association with anyone in a fraternity yet you're making ridiculous assumptions based on what you think you know.

For the OP, listen to what njbmd said. For me, being in a fraternity was great. Yeah, I drank and partied a lot and hung out with lots of girls, but so what? I also sat on student panels and gave speeches in front of hundreds of alumni donors, and had 2 jobs, and volunteered in the hospital, and volunteered in south america, and published in research journals. No I'm not some ridiculous over achiever. I just know how to have balance in my life and know what's best for me. I didn't have any huge leadership role or anything in my fraternity, I just enjoyed meeting new people and sharing good times with some of my friends. Just because I was in a fraternity it didn't define who I was, which I know is the case for a lot of people. So just be sure you're joining for the right reasons, and can maintain the qualities that you find most important in yourself.

People on this forum always stress how balance is so important in your application, yet they can turn right around and bash someone for being social. Some of you need to lighten up a little. Go out and get drunk or laid or something.

 

[bcat85]

I can say from my own personal experience that fraternity life has been a major contributor to my personal development, especially with regards to leadership. That being said, I am in a small chapter (~16) and we have had, in the past two years, 4 students move on to medical or optometry school. I have talked about it a great deal in my interviews and it has always been well received (from what I perceived). I believe that, like anything else, it is what you make of it. If you choose to get involved with the partying side of greek life, then sure... it can certainly hamper you. However, if you choose to get involved with some of the good things that the greek community participates in and moderate yourself as far as partying goes, it can be one of the best application builders imaginable.

 

[gujuDoc]

Fraternity, not frat, fraternity.

Would you call you country a ****?

wow what side of the bed did you wake up on this morning??

No offense but Frat is an accepted abbreviation just as med is for medical and adcom is for admissions committee. I don't know what your problem is.

As per the OP,

Its like one poster said, if you dont want to put it on there you don't have to. If you want to you can. If you want to do it go for it but make sure to show that you are doing well in school. There are plenty of people who've been in such organizations and have done fine getting into dental, law, med, pharmacy school, etc. at my school.

Just make sure to do your work and get the grades and MCAT and also do community service and stuff. A lot of organizations also support volunteer service through the frat or sorority so do that and show the positive sides that it hasn't been just partying.

 

[UFGatorMed]

I don't quite get why an adcom would look disfavorably on greek organizations based on some "Animal House" prejudice. Even if the "frat boy" and "sorority slut" profile is close to as widespread as people here make it seem, which is probably exaggerated anyways, why would it have such a negative bearing on application to med-school? Think about it. If you can pull a nasty GPA, rock the MCAT, and have mega EC's, while still being able to hang out and party (or "frat hard"), then the more power to you. To me, any rational adcom would see fraternity/sorority membership, at the very least, as evidence of being able to socialize, interact with others, and not locking yourself in the room all day studying. Afterall, isn't patient interaction and communication with others vital to being a doctor? Granted that partying isn't exactly a quality to look for in a doctor, I'm sure that some of the people skills will certainly translate from "fratting out" to practicing medicine. To answer the previous question of why there probably aren't as many greek members in medical school as business school: I think it's because too few people can put up the numbers (MCAT and GPA) and EC's while being part of a fraternity or sorority as compared with business school. Greek membership is or at least should be, imo, just one more EC that adds dimension and personality to an applicant. Maybe I'm missing something completely?

Yes. This is all true. 👍

 

[gujuDoc]

Yes. This is all true. 👍

Agreed. I know all sorts of people who were in frats and sororities and in professional programs now including med school.

 

[clab1707]

Obviously we have a lot of people who dislike Greeks due to dumb stereotypes. My involvement in my fraternity really helped me figure out who I was as a person, leader, and member of a community. Due to my fraternity I feel like I've been exposed to so many more opportunities and responsibilities that just kept on coming because the lifestyle demanded so much of you. Not all fraternity members embrace the experience the same way, but you have the choice to make it a valuable experience and if you do, it can only HELP YOU to put it on your application.

bottom line: frat on the app knocks 4 points off the MCAT!!!

...Guess I would have been the only person in the country with a 44 this year. Don't be ignorant lemon tree.

 

[pinkblue]

To the OP-

If you decide not to join a frat, but want something kind of similar (living together, bonding, activities), you could look into joining a residential college if your school has one. At my school, it's a co-ed group, we live in one dorm, have tons of activities, group trips (small trips on short breaks and international trips on spring break), etc. Usually, faculty members are involved, so it's a great way to get faculty mentors & LORs. Its usually more academic-oriented than greek groups. I've lived in my residential college for three years & really love it. It gives me the social & volunteer activities I'd want from a sorrority, but with the academic-focus and a smaller time commitment.

 

[xFr3nLixPhYr3x]

I believe perrotfish was quoting from a college humor book. Its like the threads of "why do you want to be a doctor？“ and everybody responds "Chicks, money, power, and chicks".

wow what side of the bed did you wake up on this morning??

No offense but Frat is an accepted abbreviation just as med is for medical and adcom is for admissions committee. I don't know what your problem is.

As per the OP,

Its like one poster said, if you dont want to put it on there you don't have to. If you want to you can. If you want to do it go for it but make sure to show that you are doing well in school. There are plenty of people who've been in such organizations and have done fine getting into dental, law, med, pharmacy school, etc. at my school.

Just make sure to do your work and get the grades and MCAT and also do community service and stuff. A lot of organizations also support volunteer service through the frat or sorority so do that and show the positive sides that it hasn't been just partying.

 

[ModernAlchemist]

So, I've read just about everything you all have written. I think that whoever said that joining a fraternity is just another thing to add dimensions to an applicant is right.

In repsonse to: Why risk it by putting it?
I got many opportunities through my fraternity. I'm on the exec board as the Vice President of Communications. Also, I am working on a greekwide philanthropy where we pair up with sororities and put on smaller scale broadway musicals for around 5000 people that come. At 20 dollars a person, we can donate up 100,000 dollars to cancer research, disadvantaged people in 3rd world countries, or whatever the philanthropy is that year.

Why would I leave that out of my application?

This is something that helps people and shapes me as a person.

 

[eight sat up]

Just list it if it has relevant leadership/volunteer/community service experience. Anyway, onto more important things: does anyone find it funny that lemon tree has uses "!!!" in almost every post? As if everything posted is yelled?....!!!

 

[littlealex]

Fraternity, not frat, fraternity.

Would you call you country a ****?

I was taught this exact same thing when pledging. Fraternity, not frat.

You don't refer to your country as a cxnt, don't call The Fraternity a frat.

And sure, we drink, we party, and we love girls. But at the end of the day, the all Greek GPA is typically higher than the all student GPA average.
Fraternities provide a social outlet, organized volunteering, emotional and social support, etc. We are just simply awesome.

To OP: Adcoms don't look unfavorably upon fraternity members. In fact, at a particular school the adcoms gave me a student interviewer who was in the same fraternity (different chapter). I got in.

 

[thebeatblitz]

Not exactly, isn't their type of socialization highly exclusionary? (meaning that if you're not in, they won't socialize with you) I hardly think the uppity us vs. them mentality is what adcoms are looking for. Again, I apologize if this isn't the case for some of you folks, but this is what I experienced where I went to school.

Also, if I had a nickel for every time I went to a restroom in a bar and saw 2 wasted sorority chicks sharing a bathroom stall (seriously who does this?) and then come out and look at ME like I was CRAZY, I'd be rich right now.

Where did you go to school? I went to Duke, which is stereotypical, rich fratboy city, and I was in one of the larger fraternities on campus. You're going to find dbags everywhere, and sure, I didn't particularly like some of my brothers, but the stereotyping is what really contributes to the schism between greek vs. non-greek.

Generally, fraternity/sorority people are much more extroverted, which can intimidate some of the quieter folks. But I guarantee you that 90% of my fraternity would have been more than receptive to cool independents because we go through that during the rush process. Some people just elect to stay independent despite receiving bids, and we don't fault them for it (to a point ). Most still come out to all the events anyways, they just don't want to pay dues, want to stay with other roommate friends, have parental pressure, etc.

If you go to school wherever with the fratboy and sorority slut notion in mind, you're doing yourself a huge disservice; you're effectively excluding meeting that entire portion of your undergraduate class. Sure, there are tons of those ******s running around like the chicks doing blow in the stall, I mean it is college and everyone does crazy/dumb stuff, but there are great people around too.

Fraternity life is great for some, not so great for others. Do what you feel comfortable with. It's nice having a network early on to socialize with, but dues are a bitch and you've got a good deal of commitments on top of your pre-med crap.

TL;DR: It doesn't matter. Enjoy undergrad the way you want.

 

[Jolie South]

Where did you go to school? I went to Duke, which is stereotypical, rich fratboy city, and I was in one of the larger fraternities on campus. You're going to find dbags everywhere, and sure, I didn't particularly like some of my brothers, but the stereotyping is what really contributes to the schism between greek vs. non-greek.

Generally, fraternity/sorority people are much more extroverted, which can intimidate some of the quieter folks. But I guarantee you that 90% of my fraternity would have been more than receptive to cool independents because we go through that during the rush process. Some people just elect to stay independent despite receiving bids, and we don't fault them for it (to a point ). Most still come out to all the events anyways, they just don't want to pay dues, want to stay with other roommate friends, have parental pressure, etc.

If you go to school wherever with the fratboy and sorority slut notion in mind, you're doing yourself a huge disservice; you're effectively excluding meeting that entire portion of your undergraduate class. Sure, there are tons of those ******s running around like the chicks doing blow in the stall, I mean it is college and everyone does crazy/dumb stuff, but there are great people around too.

Fraternity life is great for some, not so great for others. Do what you feel comfortable with. It's nice having a network early on to socialize with, but dues are a bitch and you've got a good deal of commitments on top of your pre-med crap.

TL;DR: It doesn't matter. Enjoy undergrad the way you want.

I went to a large Southern public school. The Greek system was huge, not the majority of the school by any means but definitely there. Huge houses, massive party "construction projects", foam parties, the whole bit.

I'm sure there are great people in there, but for the most part what I saw was the negative.

 

[Monarch Kong]

Some frats have dedicated volunteering or something else "helpful" like that. You could spin your experience that way. I had a friend who was actively involved in a frat and got into a great school (top 20). But he did also have ridiculous stats.

 

[gujuDoc]

I was taught this exact same thing when pledging. Fraternity, not frat.
You don't refer to your country as a cxnt, don't call The Fraternity a frat.

And sure, we drink, we party, and we love girls. But at the end of the day, the all Greek GPA is typically higher than the all student GPA average.
Fraternities provide a social outlet, organized volunteering, emotional and social support, etc. We are just simply awesome.

To OP: Adcoms don't look unfavorably upon fraternity members. In fact, at a particular school the adcoms gave me a student interviewer who was in the same fraternity (different chapter). I got in.

The bolded = ******ed. i think there are better things to make issues of then that.

Oh and on the issue of frats and sororities, the idea is that in the olden days this really provided a way to create a brotherhood or sisterhood that would also allow for connections and networking to those in higher positions in the fields that you wanted to be in as well as a way for socially gathering, getting to be involved in philanthropies (volunteerism, etc.), leadership, and other principles.

These days they have a lot of fraternities and sororities that are subdivided as 3 categories: Those that are social ones which do have philanthropies but not necessarily highly involved in them and those which are professional co-ed ones which may have all the other aspects of other greek life but are people of similar career interests and also used for career networking.

Older fraternities and sororities may allow a lot but newer ones which are emerging like ethnic frats and sororities are not necessarily as powerful in getting those things that are useful like networking and what not i.e. DPO one of the indian sororities. On the other hand an organization with a lot more history might.

If anyone out there is going to join greek life for the purpose of networking be careful in choosing wisely.

If you are doing it for socializing just be sure that if you are going to list it you can put a positive leadership, philanthropical, or other perspective on it then the cliche perspective.

 

[hum3a]

haha i thought the thread title read: "do adcoms look down upon you for being FAT" im guessing they would, right? isn't it statistically proven that taller better looking people get hired more?