Joining a fraternity?

[ugapharm]

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Hey, I have completed my first year of pharmacy pre reqs. I go to the University of Georgia currently and hope that I can get into the pharmacy school here and stay. I have received a bid to join a fraternity and it is something I am interested in. I have a 3.8 GPA and am taking the PCAT later this month. I have a lot of courses out of the way(I had 25 hours coming in) and only have O-chem, statistics, and a PE class left. The rest of my schedule are just classes that I find interesting. The weak spot will probably be my interview, as I really wasn't too involved last year(I had a great social life, I just mainly hung out with people I met in classes or the dorms, didn't join any organization other than this one honor society where I went to the first meeting.)

The most important question is, would I be able to remain active in the fraternity if I stayed at UGA for pharmacy school? If I could, would I even have enough time to be a part of it or is pharmacy school too time consuming? I only party on the weekends now and would not be required to live at the house while in pharmacy school.

Second, would it look good in a interview? Not only would I be a part of that, but the fraternites all have philanthopy organizations they participate. It's a great way to be involved in several organizations. Or would they somehow look down upon an applicant as a frat boy not serious about his academics?

The main concerns are for the years I would be in pharamcy school. Organic is the only daunting class I have coming up this semester and the pledgeship for this particular fraternity isn't rough at all. School is my number one priority, and if I ever felt like it was endangering my grades, I would drop the whoe thing. Once pledgeship is over, it is pretty much putting in the time you want to.

So thanks and good luck to all the prospective pharmacy students here. 😀

 

[ShadowRX]

Most likely not. You'll barely have time to do the more important things besides the class schedule and studying. A frat outside of pharmacy-related ones will be harder to deal with than one that is related (you'd have to get into pharmacy school, however, to join those.) Pharm frats will be more understanding of their own members' scheduling than Undergrad frats with all sorts of people with different majors and different schedules.

I don't know if anyone around these forums is in a situation you're describing. Maybe there is, but it will be a chance of extremely slim to none.

 

[WhiteSnows]

Don't, it is a waste of time.

 

[cmspharm]

I wouldn't join unless it were a pharmacy fraternity. I'm in Kappa Psi, which allows pre-pharmacy students. It has truly been one of the best decisions of my undergraduate career. However, I believe a regular non-pharmacy Fraternity would be more distracting and would have more disadvantages than advantages. Most that I know of have non-science majors who slack off and are alcoholics because they have nothing better to do with their spare time. Get into pharmacy school, and then join a fraternity. KAPPA PSI!!!

 

[rxlea]

If you are applying this cycle, I wouldn't join the undergrad frat. You will be far too busy in pharm school to be doing all the things an undergrad frat demands. If you are waiting to apply NEXT year, then I would say go for it. You can get in some really great EC's via fraternity involvement.

 

[ugapharm]

Thanks for the replies so far.

Yes, I plan on applying this cycle, so I can see how it is time consuming. Seems like I could handle it this year but then I'd probably have to go inactive when I start pharmacy school. It'll be a tough decision, I want to experience fraternity life and regret not rushing last year, but then I'm probably in the situation I am now(being on track to be accepted) because I didn't join last year. But I don't think it would be worth going through pledgeship and paying dues to only be a contributing member of the fraternity for my sophomore year.

And thanks for informing me of Kappa Psi. They have a chapter at UGA and after looking at their webpage it is definitely something I would be interested in joining. If I choose not to join one this year, I'll look into that. I just need to get more involved in other areas this year to make me stand out a little more.

Getting into UGA pharmacy school is my top priority as I love it in Athens and have a great group of friends and would hate leaving after starting out here. Plus, the HOPE scholarship would pay for the first 3 years of pharmacy school(plus the two years it is paying now) and that is awesome when compared to a private school in Georgia or an out of state school.

Again, thanks for the replies!

 

[UCSF13]

If you have time, join one..

But in my opinion, many students join fraternities just to get drunk and wasted, which is pathetic. It's like people do not know how to socialize without being drunk anymore.

 

[ExpressMaiL]

If you have time, join one..

But in my opinion, many students join fraternities just to get drunk and wasted, which is pathetic. It's like people do not know how to socialize without being drunk anymore.

What a troll.

 

[rxlea]

If you have time, join one..

But in my opinion, many students join fraternities just to get drunk and wasted, which is pathetic. It's like people do not know how to socialize without being drunk anymore.

What a troll.

How is this poster a troll? She/he has a valid point. Pretty much every American activity involves drinking. TV is littered with commercials for beer/wine/vodka/wtv. Most of them have sexy girls or have jokes made for idiots. And people think it's "cool". Have you been to a party or event where alcohol wasn't involved (unless it was forbidden)?

 

[lauradiddle]

What a troll.

How so? I know a lot of fraternity guys that drank every single night. I know some who had to drop out or go on academic probation because of it, too.

To the OP, the problem with pledging a fraternity at the same time of applying is that the frat wants you to make them your priority, and you need to be focusing on applying. If you were already in the fraternity, it'd be easier to say "sorry guys, I have an exam tomorrow", but pledges have to pretty much do what the older guys want them to. I'd do like others said and wait until pharmacy school and join a pharmacy-related fraternity.

 

[sRX]

It is manageable. It all depends on how much you want it. Yes, it will be a challenge to have both pharmacy and a fraternity on your plate, but the reward is invaluable.

I'm a little biased since I was in a sorority in undergrad, but I needed something more substantial than just books in my life. It really enriched my experience in undergrad and helped me grow as a person.

I wore my sorority pin in all my interviews. I made sure to get involved in my chapter as well, so I had practical experiences and leadership roles to lend to my interview. It may not be a pharmacy fraternity, but don't be afraid to do something outside of pharmacy. It helps you look not as one dimensional. You're allowed to have other interests.

Also, once you get into the pharmacy program, you are no longer considered undergrad for the fraternity. Alumni status is completely different, much less demanding, and not to mention, less fees to pay!

 

[UCSF13]

What a troll.

Me a troll? Far from it. I am speaking the truth and you know it. People drink alcohol like it's water, and they don't think of the consequences down the road. I'm not trying to be a hypocrite because I drink too, but not on every outing. "duuuude we just finished our test, let's go get hammered." OR "duude no quiz tomorrow, let's go get drunk." That's the theme, people look for any excuse to get drunk and I have watched people make a fool of themselves. All I am saying is there is more to life than getting drunk. I know people in their late 20's and even 30's that still party and get wasted, when are people going to grow up?

 

[ugapharm]

It is manageable. It all depends on how much you want it. Yes, it will be a challenge to have both pharmacy and a fraternity on your plate, but the reward is invaluable.

I'm a little biased since I was in a sorority in undergrad, but I needed something more substantial than just books in my life. It really enriched my experience in undergrad and helped me grow as a person.

I wore my sorority pin in all my interviews. I made sure to get involved in my chapter as well, so I had practical experiences and leadership roles to lend to my interview. It may not be a pharmacy fraternity, but don't be afraid to do something outside of pharmacy. It helps you look not as one dimensional. You're allowed to have other interests.

Also, once you get into the pharmacy program, you are no longer considered undergrad for the fraternity. Alumni status is completely different, much less demanding, and not to mention, less fees to pay!

This last paragraph seems to be the main thing I'm asking. What exactly is the difference? Would a pharmacy student who pledged as an undergrad still be able to participate in the formals and trips and stuff like that? I realize I'd probably be welcome around the house anytime until I left Athens, but if I wasn't an active brother, would I not really be a part of everything?

 

[sRX]

This last paragraph seems to be the main thing I'm asking. What exactly is the difference? Would a pharmacy student who pledged as an undergrad still be able to participate in the formals and trips and stuff like that? I realize I'd probably be welcome around the house anytime until I left Athens, but if I wasn't an active brother, would I not really be a part of everything?

Every sorority and fraternity varies. However, I know with a lot of the fraternities on my campus, the alum still go to every formal since they are usually a big deal. Personally, my alum chapter is a separate entity and we put on our own events. However, we're always invited to events my undergrad chapter puts on.

You would really need to talk to a member directly about it. They could refer you to some alum as well.

 

[nicolemsm]

Have any of you seen Greek on ABC Family?

 

[edbPharm]

I am in a Fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha, I love it and I have the time of my life, have met my best friends, a lot of whom are also pre-professional health. People who compare Greek Life to "TV Shows" or what they "assume" are the ones to be laughed at here. These organizations donate tens of thousands of dollars to organizations as well as do thousands of hours of community service per school year. We do this while still enjoying and making the most out of college.

The only valid point people are making is the time commitment. Pledging requires a lot of time, but if you have an exam, you will be excused and allowed to go study. You will need to decide for yourself if you find a semester of A TON of work worth it. I did.

It is a great opportunity to prove your leadership skills as well as give you a foot in the door to other on campus activities/clubs. I pledged as a first semester freshman, and being a senior now, I am the Vice President of the Fraternity. I feel that joining a fraternity has been a huge benefit to my maturation into an adult. 👍

 

[sRX]

I am in a Fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha, I love it and I have the time of my life, have met my best friends, a lot of whom are also pre-professional health. People who compare Greek Life to "TV Shows" or what they "assume" are the ones to be laughed at here. These organizations donate tens of thousands of dollars to organizations as well as do thousands of hours of community service per school year. We do this while still enjoying and making the most out of college.

The only valid point people are making is the time commitment. Pledging requires a lot of time, but if you have an exam, you will be excused and allowed to go study. You will need to decide for yourself if you find a semester of A TON of work worth it. I did.

It is a great opportunity to prove your leadership skills as well as give you a foot in the door to other on campus activities/clubs. I pledged as a first semester freshman, and being a senior now, I am the Vice President of the Fraternity. I feel that joining a fraternity has been a huge benefit to my maturation into an adult. 👍

👍 Thaaaank you!

 

[ExpressMaiL]

How is this poster a troll? She/he has a valid point. Pretty much every American activity involves drinking. TV is littered with commercials for beer/wine/vodka/wtv. Most of them have sexy girls or have jokes made for idiots. And people think it's "cool". Have you been to a party or event where alcohol wasn't involved (unless it was forbidden)?

I really doubt “pretty much every American activity involves drinking.” Aside from whatever an “American activity” exactly is, sure- you could twist the notion of most activities and relate it back to drinking in a convoluted way (but that goes for other things as well). TV is littered with advertisements for all kinds of things; I don’t know what you’re trying to convey with that. Can you tell me which TV commercial doesn’t have a sexy girl or joke(s) made for an idiot?

To answer your question, yes, I have been to parties and events where alcohol wasn’t involved. Clearly, those type of events are rarer but an event with alcohol is not automatically a collection of idiots and drunks.

How so? I know a lot of fraternity guys that drank every single night. I know some who had to drop out or go on academic probation because of it, too.

Ok. So you know “a lot of fraternity guys that drank every single night.” Well, I knew a lot of non-fraternity guys that drank every single night, too. Sure, you could associate fraternities with drinking, but if a person drops out or goes on academic probation, that’s a problem with self-control (of course, not entirely and there are ALWAYS exceptions or special situations) and not necessarily due to the fraternity. Did the fraternity contribute? Yeah, it probably did contribute to the process. However, people don’t take responsibility for their actions and need something to blame. To feel better about themselves. To shy away from reality.

On a side note, their course into academic probation/dropping out was more likely due to the physical and mental demands of the fraternity, especially if pledging in a social fraternity. Not from the alcohol.

Me a troll? Far from it. I am speaking the truth and you know it. People drink alcohol like it's water, and they don't think of the consequences down the road. I'm not trying to be a hypocrite because I drink too, but not on every outing. "duuuude we just finished our test, let's go get hammered." OR "duude no quiz tomorrow, let's go get drunk." That's the theme, people look for any excuse to get drunk and I have watched people make a fool of themselves. All I am saying is there is more to life than getting drunk. I know people in their late 20's and even 30's that still party and get wasted, when are people going to grow up?

You’re speaking the truth and I know it? Eye of the beholder. What you said- “don’t think of the consequences down the road.” I agree with that.

Have you ever stopped and thought about how the people you hang/hung out with drink alcohol like water? Did you see something in a movie? Hear stories from a friend? Were you surrounded by drunks? You talk about drinking in relation to tests and quizzes, which are both academically related yet say people look for any “excuse” to get drunk. I think the majority of your exposure, if not all, to people getting drunk was during college. From that exposure, you have a negative view of fraternities and frown upon “excused” drinking, because you think EVERYONE who drinks has to justify their own drinking.

People can make a fool of themselves without drinking. In my perspective, I’d say that’s a lot worse than doing so drunk. Talking about growing up- so people who are over the age of 30, partying and getting drunk are immature (as in, haven’t grown up yet)?

If you're referring to monetary success, maybe you haven't seen how many business folk spend their time. Are you implying some type of correlation with success or responsibility and not getting “wasted?” Of course, this isn't anything conclusive, but your whole question of "when are people going to grow up?" doesn't make sense.

 

[rxlea]

Lmfao

 

[lauradiddle]

On a side note, their course into academic probation/dropping out was more likely due to the physical and mental demands of the fraternity, especially if pledging in a social fraternity. Not from the alcohol.

If by "physical and mental demands" you meant beer pong, then yes, that's pretty much why their grades suffered.

 

[SarahLorraine]

I was in a sorority during undergrad. I am a "nontraditional" student now (only 28 but I graduated and came back) but I LOVED being in my sorority. I held some leadership positions that I do feel will benefit my application. I went to Kennesaw so I know our Greek life is pretty different and more low key than UGA's but one thing I do know is that I can't go back and do it now. I sort of regret not going away to school. (I love Kennesaw. But I'm just saying....) I am hoping to get into UGA pharm school, for *one* reason (for many reasons! Here is ONE of them🙂, because I'd like to have the opportunity to go away to college. BUT I'm not 21 anymore. It's not going to be the experience I passed up in undergrad. You know what I'm saying?? Basically what I'm saying is if you want to do that - this is your only chance! Be responsible. Don't lose sight of your priorities. But don't miss out on something you might regret NOT doing because you MIGHT not be able to work it out. Worst case scenario: it's too much and the fraternity has to go. You didn't really lose, you just had to change your mind. My very best friends are my two little sisters. And my closest girlfriends are my sisters too. They really are the friends I will have for life. And I got WAY more leadership practice and friendship out of my sorority experience than drunken parties - by far. A lot of it is what YOU make of it.

 

[Carboxide]

This last paragraph seems to be the main thing I'm asking. What exactly is the difference? Would a pharmacy student who pledged as an undergrad still be able to participate in the formals and trips and stuff like that? I realize I'd probably be welcome around the house anytime until I left Athens, but if I wasn't an active brother, would I not really be a part of everything?

Here is how this works.

1). You should join. It will be a great experience. UGA has a great fraternity system as well.

2). You MAY or MAY NOT be allowed to remain active. It would depend on two things... a). how the SOP classifies you (grad or undergrad...a lot of SOPs classify non-BS students as undergrad for the first 1 or 2 years) and b). how your specific fraternity would deal with that. Each one has different rules; same for sororities.

3). Join regardless. You'll regret it if you don't.

4). You can still go to formals even once you become alum in the fraternity.

 

[thephoenician88]

If you join now while you still have time it's OKKKK BUT make sure your priorities are straight first!! I understand UGA's frat scene and it's a lot fun-but demanding. Make sure your grades are where you want them and the frat won't take over-because it will at some point. You won't want it to, but things get in the way etc etc, so ultimately it's up to you, but if you do it, make sure your priorities are 100% set and straight.