Is Joining a Frat a good idea

[SRK85]

Another question im sure most of you have lived the college life. I just got a bid from Phi Kappa Sigma here at my college. My question is, Is joining a frat worth all the stupid pledging things they make you go through. I have till 9pm tommorow to accept my bid. Since you guys are older and wiser I want some input. The problem I have is with the intensive pledge process that may require me to get little or no sleep. I suck terribly at everything with less then 6hrs of sleep. Plus my grades are not as high as I want them. So is Joining a frat going to help me academically or help with any thing after college?

So yes join the frat its worth it
No its not worth joining a frat.

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[AggieJohn]

I didn't join a frat and I would do the same if I had to go through it again.

However, since I was not in one, I can't speak to their strengths and weaknesses.

 

[AggieJohn]

I didn't join a frat and I would do the same if I had to go through it again.

However, since I was not in one, I can't speak to their strengths and weaknesses.

So basically, I have nothing valuable to add!

 

[TPROrgoTutor]

As long as you vow never to pop your collar...even once...you can join.

 

[SRK85]

As long as you vow never to pop your collar...even once...you can join.

I dont but when I was partying last week all the frat brothers were like pop your collar so they popped my collar. I immediatiely put my collar back down. Im not a dbag so I dont pop my collar.

 

[Rafa]

Ever seen The Butterfly Effect?

You'll end up killing the love of your life's deviant brother and...well, I won't spoil it for you.

 

[Depakote]

I didn't join a frat and I would do the same if I had to go through it again.

However, since I was not in one, I can't speak to their strengths and weaknesses.

I did join a fraternity and I would do the same if I had to go through it again... intense pledge process and all. (built a lot of character)

The whole experience really changed me for the better. I have a lot of friends that I'm still close to 6 years later.

There were plenty of service and team building opportunities. I held a leadership position and I found myself taking advantage of a lot more opportunities than I would have otherwise.

Joining is a personal decision, it isn't for everybody, but it was definintely the right one for me.

EDIT: POST 1800!

 

[stealthopts17]

From my own personal experience, I was a pledge for a fraternity for two days before deciding that I needed to get out. During those two days, I was running on very little sleep, was using all of my time for the fraternity and in turn had to ditch my classes. I got a lot of crap from the fraternity, especially my friends who were already in, because apparently they really wanted me to stay. I just couldn't justify staying because of how things were unfolding. If I stayed, I was certain that I was going to end my freshman year on Academic Probation and having to spend another quarter retaking classes and fixing my already crappy GPA at the time. If I left, my grades wouldn't take a severe hit.

And so, I depledged. If I was given the chance to do it again, personally, I would walk away from it.

 

[SRK85]

WTF this frat even has special credit cards with low interest. Thats cool but I dont want a credit card.

 

[SRK85]

From my own personal experience, I was a pledge for a fraternity for two days before deciding that I needed to get out. During those two days, I was running on very little sleep, was using all of my time for the fraternity and in turn had to ditch my classes. I got a lot of crap from the fraternity, especially my friends who were already in, because apparently they really wanted me to stay. I just couldn't justify staying because of how things were unfolding. If I stayed, I was certain that I was going to end my freshman year on Academic Probation and having to spend another quarter retaking classes and fixing my already crappy GPA at the time. If I left, my grades wouldn't take a severe hit.

And so, I depledged. If I was given the chance to do it again, personally, I would walk away from it.

Really thats what concerns me. My grades are not that good and right now I want to focus on my grades and not have to worry about anything else. Thats why im leaning towards not pledging. My schoolwork comes 1st.

 

[clusterfunk]

This thread brings up a related question--what medical schools are known for having "fratty" student bodies, that is a significant number of students who were involved in undergraduate Greek life?

I would venture to say that any medical school with a Phi Chi (or other) Medical Fraternity would be conducive for such an atmosphere... any thoughts on this? Also, I'd bet state medical schools have similar types within their student bodies.

Grr, there really needs to be a Princeton Review "Best Of" rankings list for stuff like this...

EDIT: corrected the name of med school frat

 

[txfisher]

.

 

[tch001]

I live with 2 Phi Kapps and I love them to death, so if frats are the same from school to school I say yes! But really, if you get along with the guys and you think you are mentally and physically able to survive the pledging process, I say go for it. It's nice to have the built in network of friends and support that comes with greek (or in my case, pseudogreek, i'm in a service sorority) life. good

 

[FutureNeuroStud]

From my own personal experience, I was a pledge for a fraternity for two days before deciding that I needed to get out. During those two days, I was running on very little sleep, was using all of my time for the fraternity and in turn had to ditch my classes. I got a lot of crap from the fraternity, especially my friends who were already in, because apparently they really wanted me to stay. I just couldn't justify staying because of how things were unfolding. If I stayed, I was certain that I was going to end my freshman year on Academic Probation and having to spend another quarter retaking classes and fixing my already crappy GPA at the time. If I left, my grades wouldn't take a severe hit.

And so, I depledged. If I was given the chance to do it again, personally, I would walk away from it.

You can manage being in a frat without dropping your grades too much, you just have to budget your time.

This thread brings up a related question--what medical schools are known for having "fratty" student bodies, that is a significant number of students who were involved in undergraduate Greek life?

I would venture to say that any medical school with a Phi Chi (or other) Medical Fraternity would be conducive for such an atmosphere... any thoughts on this? Also, I'd bet state medical schools have similar types within their student bodies.

Grr, there really needs to be a Princeton Review "Best Of" rankings list for stuff like this...

EDIT: corrected the name of med school frat

I just visited Columbia for an interview and it seemed like everyone I spoke with was in a frat or some equivalent in college.

Do it. Pledge, you won't regret it. Have fun in college.

I agree with this guy. I did it. It really improved my social confidence, set me up with lifetime friends that I have some rather interesting bonding experiences with, and gave me the opportunity to invest myself in something worthwhile. I took on leadership positions, helped with community service, and kinda mentored some younger premed guys, too. Given the chance to do it again, I would absolutely do it, no questions asked. Even pledging...best semester of college. However, frats aren't for everyone and not every frat is going to be a good thing. If the guys in the one you're looking seem to have a high level of brotherhood, it could be a great thing. If they're all about drinking and nothing else, it could still be fun, but not as fulfilling.

Take all of this with a grain of salt, as I don't know you or the frat you're looking at...

 

[str8flexed]

Don't pledge THAT fraternity.

 

[Ross434]

Hell yeah it is! party til you die

 

[ExKitty Doctor]

Frats are what you make of them. If you are sure you can take the social pressure and put school first, then sure its possible. But if you arent fully resolute and have a strong sense of independence..then Id say dont. I was in a sorority for a while and I was basically a loner because I studied all the time. Besides, dont you want to be around people with the same values about school that you have? Its just healthier. IMHO - Dont do it. But hey, its some fun times no doubt.

 

[Chuckwalla]

If you will have fun doing it then do it. You will find a way to balance school work. You only live once, have as much fun as you possibly can.

 

[riceman04]

It is all about the AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA Phiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!

Ice Cold Brotha Reppin' Alpha Phi Alpha

 

[Vvandenn]

Cults are bad m'kay.

 

[jbrice1639]

Cults are bad m'kay.

yep, so join a frat instead. 👍

 

[StritchMD2011]

I joined a fraternity and have enjoyed it over the course of my college career. My school has a really laid-back Greek system, nothing at all like the stereotypes you might find at a larger state school. We had really strict no-hazing policies, as well as pretty stringent drinking rules.

I found it helped me to manage my time, especially while pledging, and it also allowed me to get more involved on campus. I took a few leadership roles within my chapter, doing things I enjoy. Overall, it was a good experience.

That said, if you're so worried about whether joining one would "look good," you've fallen into the typical pre-med syndrome. Do something because you want to, dont live your life based on what you think an ad-comm would want. Furthermore, if someone automatically labels you because you're in a "frat," do you really want to associate with them anyways?

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

Yes, it's true, you can actually have friends without paying for them (and without having to beef a donkey.) So I vote that you don't join a frat.

 

[jbrice1639]

Yes, it's true, you can actually have friends without paying for them (and without having to beef a donkey.) So I vote that you don't join a frat.

seeing as living in a frat is much cheaper than living in a dorm or paying rent on an apartment, it's true, you don't have to pay for friends. in fact, having friends gives you the cheaper living option. so join a frat.

 

[Dane07MD]

I was in a frat. Granted, all the frats at my school had mean GPAs between 3.2 and 3.4, it was a great experience. People say you "pay" for friends, but in all reality, you do the pledging with most of the friends you've made before being exposed to the frat scene (at least in my case). I pledged to my house with 4 friends I had made from my dorm, and had the opportunity to meet other people I would not have otherwise. There were definitely guys in my house I did not like or get along with, as would be the case in a dorm.

However, I did not mention anywhere on my AMCAS or secondaries I was in a frat. As much of a positive experience that it was, there is a general negative stereotype associated with fraternities when viewed from an academic standpoint. Only faculty who were in fraternities can speak of their benefits, most others just shun the whole system.

A few cents for you all.

 

[EBI831]

yes sir. med school will be hell and studying nonstop. as a greek myself, i say seize the opportunity. i know i love getting done with like freaking awful biochem tests etc and knowing there's a party waiting for me. not only does the pledging process build character but the not sleeping thing i guess could help with staying up on call and the getting hazed thing could help when you are pimped by residents...hahha quite a stretch i know but i'm all for it.

 

[spicedmanna]

If you think it'll benefit you in a variety of areas, and not just as a way to get booze, then go for it. Otherwise, it's just a fun activity that if you don't exercise self-control with, probably won't serve you too much; you'll probably just wake up with a few more hangovers than usual. But if you take on leadership roles, that could be another story.

I pledged when I was in college, but to an honor's fraternity. Nice bonus. We had fellowship, did service events, supported each other in scholarship, and rarely, if ever, used our events for booze and hooking up.

 

[rpost3]

Dude I pledged and it was a mistake. My grades hit the basement and I only grew to like a few of the guys besides my friends who pledged the semester before me.

 

[EazyE]

I did join a fraternity and I would do the same if I had to go through it again... intense pledge process and all. (built a lot of character)

The whole experience really changed me for the better. I have a lot of friends that I'm still close to 6 years later.

There were plenty of service and team building opportunities. I held a leadership position and I found myself taking advantage of a lot more opportunities than I would have otherwise.

Joining is a personal decision, it isn't for everybody, but it was definintely the right one for me.

EDIT: POST 1800!

I feel the same way. It isnt easy but it is worth it. If you can get through pledging with a 4.0 you can get through anything and do anything

 

[SRK85]

Don't pledge THAT fraternity.

Why? Are the Phi Kaps that bad??

 

[SRK85]

I joined a fraternity and have enjoyed it over the course of my college career. My school has a really laid-back Greek system, nothing at all like the stereotypes you might find at a larger state school. We had really strict no-hazing policies, as well as pretty stringent drinking rules.

I found it helped me to manage my time, especially while pledging, and it also allowed me to get more involved on campus. I took a few leadership roles within my chapter, doing things I enjoy. Overall, it was a good experience.

That said, if you're so worried about whether joining one would "look good," you've fallen into the typical pre-med syndrome. Do something because you want to, dont live your life based on what you think an ad-comm would want. Furthermore, if someone automatically labels you because you're in a "frat," do you really want to associate with them anyways?

Im joining to look good. I meant are there any benefeits of joining a frat? I know the pledging process seems scary I just want to go to class on 4hrs of sleep.