With colleges across the country opening their doors physically after a pandemic, many freshmen are figuring out how to navigate school life. If you are one of them, you might be asking, is joining a fraternity a good idea?
Apart from the rumors of pledges being drugged and enduring harsh rituals before being accepted, the advantages far outweigh the cons. For starters, loyalty to the fraternity fosters lifelong friendships. This often leads to a solid network that opens doors for job opportunities. Besides, joining a frat guarantees an active social life in college and access to former exams collected by previous generations of members and alumni of your fraternity.
How to Join a Frat
Are you asking how do fraternities work? Fraternities tend to have rush week (a period for recruiting new members) at the beginning of the school year. During the rush week, several fraternities will have displays/tables on campus with information regarding the type of fraternity they are, requirements for joining, and what they are looking for.
Use this opportunity to talk to the members and ask about specific rules and application processes. But don't stop there. Go a step further and do a thorough internet search to get more information about the frat and determine whether it's a good fit for you.
Know the Rituals Pledges Have to Pass to Get Accepted
There is usually a period between first applying to be a member and actually becoming a member. Every fraternity has different ways of doing this. Still, you as an applicant are called a pledge, and the members/leaders of the fraternity will put you through different activities and requirements.
Pledging can be anything from team-building exercises, to physical challenges, to forced binge drinking. You may have to do certain activities, recite rules on how to address fraternity members, memorize the fraternity's history, etc.
The pledge part of that process is often a well-guarded secret. However, try and ask questions from people who know the fraternity brothers and get a sense of what the process is like. It's worth getting as good a sense as possible of the requirements before deciding whether to join.
Prepare for the Interview
How do you get chosen for a fraternity? Pledges must go through a series of interviews, both formal and informal before they are chosen. To increase the odds of getting accepted, prepare for these interviews just the way you would for a job interview. Ensure you also meet all the fraternity requirements.
Think through the potential questions you might be asked and come up with a polished and appropriate answer. It's also recommended to have a few (2-3) questions ready for your brothers. This shows that you are taking the pledge process seriously and are thinking critically about your choices.
Maintain Good Grades
There is more to a fraternity than just partying all the time. They participate in many community service activities and sponsor scholarships. Fraternities maintain an academic standard for their members. So what GPA do you need for a fraternity?
Some have a minimum GPA that you must maintain to be considered for membership. For first-year freshmen pursuing membership, organizations may require a GPA from 2.25 to 3.5. Some frats require 3 to 12 units to join the organization as a first-year freshman.
Each university and each fraternity may set different minimums. However, the higher your GPA, the better your chances of getting into the fraternity of your choice.
Save Enough Money in Advance
Does it cost money to join a fraternity? Embracing fraternity life in college can also mean expensive chapter dues, ranging from social expenses to lifelong alumni fees. The cost of some fraternities is much higher than many newly initiated brothers realize.
From rushing registration fees and social fees to chapter dues and room and board charges, the cost typically ranges from $500 to $8,000 per semester, plus rush and alumni fees. Joining a fraternity isn't free, but you can afford it with careful budgeting and savings.
Practice Your Social Skills
Fraternities are inherently social organizations. Talking to everyone you meet during the rush process is a great strategy to learn how to make small talk and create a good impression. During rush week, meet as many people as possible, particularly the rush chairman and officers, as well as other members of the fraternity you wish to join.
The more you get involved in the process, the more you learn, and the more likely you end up with a bid offer you are happy with. Besides, it is important that you feel connected with the brothers of that particular fraternity.
A good way to do this is by sharing your experiences; talk about yourself, your background, your hobbies, and your goals. A good sports talk may be your ticket to getting in. Overall, be talkative, and you will do just fine.
Build Rapport
It is important to build rapport with one or more of the brothers. Often during rush, new recruits tend to stick together to feel comfortable and supported. However, your stand a better chance of getting accepted into a fraternity by spending time with people that have already been accepted. Connecting with the members outside class is another way to build rapport, though you don't want to appear too eager in your efforts.
Be Yourself
You must fit in with the fraternity that you pledge. Not only will being yourself help you to find the right fraternity for you, but it also improves your chances of being accepted. Besides, fraternities will respond to your sincerity, and if your personality is a good fit, you will be more likely to receive a bid.
Bottom Line
Based on the advantages one tends to gain, pledging a fraternity can be one of the most memorable and rewarding experiences of college life. The fraternity brothers will become your network of contacts after you graduate, opening doors to several career opportunities you might not have had otherwise. However, getting into top fraternities can be a bit of a challenge, but if you approach it the right way, you increase the odds of getting accepted.
So use the provided steps to get a better understanding of how to join a fraternity. But make sure the frat you want to get into is a great fit for you. If you find it hard to balance school work and social life, know that we have subject experts who can help you become a better student. We craft high-quality essays that help you better understand your major.
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