Addict101,
I was in a fraternity 40 years ago and I've never regretted it. Things may have changed a bit since then but as I recall, the first week of fall semester, all the fraternities had open houses. As Dr, Pepper suggested, talk to some of your friends, especially sorority girls, and get their opinion which are the best houses for you to look at. I presume there are too many for you to evaluate firsthand all by yourself. After you narrow down the choices a bit, go to those fraternities' open houses and tell them honestly that you are interested in pledging a fraternity, but that you intend to check out several different houses and won't pledge immediately. They may not like you either, but assuming they do, they will invite you to a social function(which in our day meant a booze guzzling party, but like I said things may have changed since I was in college). Remember, the word "rush" implies that they are going to try to pressure you into pledging...don't do it, take your time in making the decision. But don't take advantage of them either...one or two parties/social functions should be enough for you to make your decision. You can't make a wrong decision...just make the right decision for you....these are guys that you will very likely still be in touch with 50 years from now....I still am.
I was in a fraternity 40 years ago and I've never regretted it. Things may have changed a bit since then but as I recall, the first week of fall semester, all the fraternities had open houses. As Dr, Pepper suggested, talk to some of your friends, especially sorority girls, and get their opinion which are the best houses for you to look at. I presume there are too many for you to evaluate firsthand all by yourself. After you narrow down the choices a bit, go to those fraternities' open houses and tell them honestly that you are interested in pledging a fraternity, but that you intend to check out several different houses and won't pledge immediately. They may not like you either, but assuming they do, they will invite you to a social function(which in our day meant a booze guzzling party, but like I said things may have changed since I was in college). Remember, the word "rush" implies that they are going to try to pressure you into pledging...don't do it, take your time in making the decision. But don't take advantage of them either...one or two parties/social functions should be enough for you to make your decision. You can't make a wrong decision...just make the right decision for you....these are guys that you will very likely still be in touch with 50 years from now....I still am.
The more friends you have in general, the more connections you make and in turn may luck into a very good job. I have a friend who was a real gold-digging snob that was in a frat and always kissed rich kids asses in college. He was not that smart but he makes in the 170's now at a major corporation because of one of his friends daddy.
I love this banter involving the life long speculation that a social fraternity/sorority is just a way of "buying friends". In actuality, it's kinda pretty different seeing as though you have to be invited (receive a bid) before even being considered to join. We had rich kids coming over our house for rush too and told them to fuck off because they just didn't get along with the members.
The dues that you pay go to activities that the fraternity participates in (parties). If you don't enjoy partying (girls), then I'd suggest joining something along the lines of Sigma Tau Gamma (Super Tough Guys) or Delta Upsilon.
Really depends what kind of guys you want to hang out with (there will be a few houses that you like), and what kind of connections you want in life that will ultimately help you out in the real world.
Personally, I went with the fraternity that didn't have to listen to the governing body (IFC), had parties with hundreds of people on weekdays (Thirsty Thursday), and has had more United States presidents than the next two fraternities combined.
The dues that you pay go to activities that the fraternity participates in (parties). If you don't enjoy partying (girls), then I'd suggest joining something along the lines of Sigma Tau Gamma (Super Tough Guys) or Delta Upsilon.
Really depends what kind of guys you want to hang out with (there will be a few houses that you like), and what kind of connections you want in life that will ultimately help you out in the real world.
Personally, I went with the fraternity that didn't have to listen to the governing body (IFC), had parties with hundreds of people on weekdays (Thirsty Thursday), and has had more United States presidents than the next two fraternities combined.
