You summed it up pretty well actually. They are so pathetic too. They basically poor beer down girls throats' just so they can get laid.
How is it a poor man's excuse? You pay to hang out with people and belong to a group. If you dont pay, then you are excluded.
Please elaborate, maybe I'm offbase here.
if you make a decision on a frat from this message board you are a fool.
the whole point in "rush" is to pick and choose.
one fraternity at one school is a far cry from the same one at a different school.
you go to try them out first - meet the guys, figure your shit out.
please don't think you will be any better off if some guy had a great experience with such and such fraternity at such and such school in random town, USA and that will translate into the same for you.
if you make decision about who to pledge to from random people you will eventually find yourself fucked during week 3 when all those great things aren't coming true. if you want legit advice get it from someone who graduated - to be super honest...get it from a girl already in a house AT THE SCHOOL YOU ARE ATTENDING.
first off she will immediately analyze you and the first matching house she thinks of probably would be a good choice. if you act like a mute and mumble to her she will refer you to a particular house of similar guys -- if you actually have social skills and are well received you will probably get a similar suggestion.
your best bet is to rely on yourself and friends, people you live with.
good luck. its not a decision to take lightly if you plan on doing it for the long haul.