Go Greek: Top Five Reasons to Join a Fraternity or Sorority in College

College is about more than classes and tests, it’s about the experience of being on your own and learning who you are. Sororities and Fraternities have earned their fair share of negative press in the past. However, being involved in a fraternal organization during college can help build a strong character and a well-rounded person. So before you decide the answer to that all important question, “Are you going through recruitment?”, take a look at these top 5 reasons to Go Greek!

Scholarship

On most campuses the average Greek grades are higher than the average non-greek grades. As a new member, most organizations have required study hours to be completed and require a certain GPA to be initiated. In addition, members are required to maintain a certain GPA or they will be required to complete mandatory study hours as well. This is an incentive to keep your grades up, but the real benefit of being in a group is that whatever subject you are studying there is most likely a brother or sister who can help you study. As you plan your class schedule for each semester, you may be able to find another member (or 2 or 3 or 10!) who will be taking the class as well. There are many opportunities for help in the area of scholarship in a fraternity or sorority setting.

Brotherhood/Sisterhood

Some people call it paying for your friends, and while you will be paying dues to the organization, friends is not what you will be paying for. Dues are spent for social activities, philanthropy events and promoting the group. But the bond you will share with other members of your organization is much more than friendship. You will find true brothers or sisters who will share experiences with you and be dedicated to you for the rest of your life. When you go through a semester of being a pledge with someone, it is a bond that few people can explain. And living on a hall or in a house with people gives you so many chances for late night chats, spontaneous activities or trips, midnight study sessions or just having someone to talk to at any time. Non-greeks may have friends in college and make fun of the dues that are paid, but Greek members will have brothers or sisters for a lifetime.

Leadership

In a fraternal organization there are many opportunities for leadership. This can be everything from being in charge of t-shirts or planning a formal dinner to being fraternity president or training new members. Whatever role you play it will be an experience that will teach you responsibility, time management, organization and how to lead a group of your peers. Starting out in a fraternity or sorority leadership position can often lead to other campus leadership opportunities. Many campus leaders are elected because of their experience in Greek leadership. All of these positions are very impressive on a resume later in life.

Service

Fraternities and Sororities are not all fun and games. All Greek organizations support their own charities and philanthropic work. Most chapters will participate in fundraising events for a cause that is important to them, and many have the opportunity to participate in a hands-on event with their charity. Not only is it important for Greek organizations to give of their time and money, but it is the sense of accomplishment and giving that makes working for a philanthropy worth all of the effort. And volunteering for a well-known charity doesn’t hurt your resume either.

Future

When you’ve walked across the stage and received your diploma it will be time for that all-important task of finding a job. This search will be made easier with the word “Fraternity” on your resume. Not only will being involved in a Greek organization give you plenty of experience to talk about in job interviews, but the connections you will be able to make through your organization may just be what lands you that dream job. Greek Alumni can be found at most every business around the country and the world. You may find that someone you know from your chapter knows the guy in charge of hiring, or when you show up and hand in your application that person might tell you they are an alumni of your group. This connection is invaluable and may just put you ahead of other applicants. Even if you don’t find a connection in your particular organization, higher-ups in the business world know that it takes commitment to be involved in Greek life, and just having it on your resume and talking about that experience in a job interview can help a lot.

There are many reasons to join a fraternity or sorority, and even though there are plenty of negative ideas out there, it’s important to see for yourself if Greek life is for you. I know that I was very skeptical, but I gave it a shot and now I know that joining was the best decision I ever made. So check it out, go through the recruitment process, see what it’s all about and then decide for yourself. You will never know if you don’t try. Go Greek!