I will second you on the friendship thing. You are friends with the majority of your fraternity brothers, a few of them are merely acquaintences, one or two of them you probably wouldn't pull out of a lake, and a handful of them will be your best friends for life. There are about 10 guys from my fraternity that I would drive to Arizona and give them a ride back to Kentucky without a second thought, if they called.

 

I've developed those types or relationships with several people without being in a fraternity. Again like I said, I'm not knocking fraternities, I just don't think they are as beneficial as everyone says. Do they provide some advantages, sure, but none that you can't earn through other ways. The group of friends that I have already developed will be the ones at my wedding along with my family(which I am also very close to). I understand college is supposed to be a social thing, but I am there to get the degree, not to make new friends because of the fact that I already have enough close friends that I would do anything for. I can give you plenty of examples from my hometown of people that went to high school together that still remain close friends to this day some 40 or 50 years later.

For those who are trashing the "frat" label, from the outside looking in, you'll NEVER understand.

For those who are trashing the "frat" label, from the outside looking in, you'll NEVER understand.

 

That's probably the best way to describe it. Its so much more than partying that I don't even know how to properly explain it.

I've developed those types or relationships with several people without being in a fraternity. Again like I said, I'm not knocking fraternities, I just don't think they are as beneficial as everyone says. Do they provide some advantages, sure, but none that you can't earn through other ways. The group of friends that I have already developed will be the ones at my wedding along with my family(which I am also very close to). I understand college is supposed to be a social thing, but I am there to get the degree, not to make new friends because of the fact that I already have enough close friends that I would do anything for. I can give you plenty of examples from my hometown of people that went to high school together that still remain close friends to this day some 40 or 50 years later.

 

So when you go in for a job interview with a man you've never met and he looks at your resume and see's that like him, you weren't involved in Greek life in college, will that make him more likely to hire you? NO!

 

I know several guys that made connections and were given sweet internships/jobs because they had that unique bond of those Greek letters, I can't tell you how many times I've been in an airport or in a different state where someone has recoginized my letters on my luggage and have come up to me and sparked up a conversation and you feel like you actually know these people and you make contacts that way as well. Lets hear an Independent tell you that!

So when you go in for a job interview with a man you've never met and he looks at your resume and see's that like him, you weren't involved in Greek life in college, will that make him more likely to hire you? NO!

 

I know several guys that made connections and were given sweet internships/jobs because they had that unique bond of those Greek letters, I can't tell you how many times I've been in an airport or in a different state where someone has recoginized my letters on my luggage and have come up to me and sparked up a conversation and you feel like you actually know these people and you make contacts that way as well. Lets hear an Independent tell you that!

 

I obtained my first job right out of college because my fraternity brothers already worked there and recommended me for the job :ylsuper:

So when you go in for a job interview with a man you've never met and he looks at your resume and see's that like him, you weren't involved in Greek life in college, will that make him more likely to hire you? NO!

 

I know several guys that made connections and were given sweet internships/jobs because they had that unique bond of those Greek letters, I can't tell you how many times I've been in an airport or in a different state where someone has recoginized my letters on my luggage and have come up to me and sparked up a conversation and you feel like you actually know these people and you make contacts that way as well. Lets hear an Independent tell you that!

 

No I doubt the lack of being in a fraternity would get me a job. But like I said when going up against somebody who was in a frat, with a little hard work and character you can trump the Greek life similarity between the two. It might stand out but in no way would a good businessman hire somebody less qualified for the mere fact that they were also a Greek. The airport story is kind of neat I guess but then again I don't see how that is beneficial. Like I said I don't have anything against them, just that they aren't for me and I feel like I can experience pretty much anything that somebody who does join a fraternity can.

I obtained my first job right out of college because my fraternity brothers already worked there and recommended me for the job :ylsuper:

 

Which could happen with somebody not from a fraternity. I know that I have good recommendations right out of college from people who aren't my fraternity brothers.

 

I know several guys that made connections and were given sweet internships/jobs because they had that unique bond of those Greek letters, I can't tell you how many times I've been in an airport or in a different state where someone has recoginized my letters on my luggage and have come up to me and sparked up a conversation and you feel like you actually know these people and you make contacts that way as well. Lets hear an Independent tell you that!

 

Never happened to me. Fortunately, I hate talking to strangers. :lol:

 

This thread is pretty pitiful. It's way too stereotypical.

 

First we have the non-frat guys, saying "all fraternity guys are partying jerks"

 

Then the fraternity guys says "You would NEVER understand. NEVER!!!!!"

Yes there is.

 

:confused:Then quite possibly something has changed because when I attended in the late 60s and early 70s there were no frats and it remained that way when my niece went in the late 80s early 90s.

For those who are trashing the "frat" label, from the outside looking in, you'll NEVER understand.

 

Im pretty sure that cliche goes for anyone within any organization who are trying to defend it. I remember saying the same thing to those in my high school days who questioned why in the world would we want to play football. So try not to preach something as if nobody knows where you're coming from.

 

But comparing a football team to a fraternity isn't very wise IMO, because first impressions are lasting; the first time I saw a group of frat guys "enjoying" themselves, it included being loud, self centered and trying to recrute anyone who asked them where the bathroom was.

 

So yeah, a fraternity may be a great way to meet new people and establish special friendships...but thats not the message they send to others when seen out in public.

Im pretty sure that cliche goes for anyone within any organization who are trying to defend it. I remember saying the same thing to those in my high school days who questioned why in the world would we want to play football. So try not to preach something as if nobody knows where you're coming from.

 

But comparing a football team to a fraternity isn't very wise IMO, because first impressions are lasting; the first time I saw a group of frat guys "enjoying" themselves, it included being loud, self centered and trying to recrute anyone who asked them where the bathroom was.

 

So yeah, a fraternity may be a great way to meet new people and establish special friendships...but thats not the message they send to others when seen out in public.

 

I wouldn't trade my memories, friendships, and experiences from my high school sports days for anything.:thumb:

 

I'll agree with the ending but at the same time also disagree. Like I said earlier that a lot of times those are the guys that I have seen, but I'm sure that there are many more frat members that don't act outlandish but because of this we don't see them and realize they are in a fraternity. The arrogant guys give the whole group a bad image, just like every other organization, team, etc... has its share of bad apples.

Im pretty sure that cliche goes for anyone within any organization who are trying to defend it. I remember saying the same thing to those in my high school days who questioned why in the world would we want to play football. So try not to preach something as if nobody knows where you're coming from.

 

But comparing a football team to a fraternity isn't very wise IMO, because first impressions are lasting; the first time I saw a group of frat guys "enjoying" themselves, it included being loud, self centered and trying to recrute anyone who asked them where the bathroom was.

 

So yeah, a fraternity may be a great way to meet new people and establish special friendships...but thats not the message they send to others when seen out in public.

 

You're right, its the same as FBLA or the Foreign Language club:lol:

Who needs it when you guys got full contact intramural football? I couldn't be more jealous about that part of Notre Dame.

 

As for a frat for me. No. God no. I'd rather not pay to have friends.

 

I've always wondered if it was with pads or not at ND.

As a teacher for many years than I want to count, anything that is a positive influence will greatly enhance any education that includes sports, fraternities, astronomy clubs, FCCLA, Band,etc. I myself am not a lover of football but both of my sons have played and this will be my youngest sons senior year, my husband does not like fraternities but our oldest son has pledged SigEp at MSU but I will tell you joining a group is much better than doing nothing but sitting and complain about everyone else. A lot of students need a group to belong to because we all have a need to belong be it group or sports, and if they don't belong to something good they may join something they might regret later on. IMO only. Everyone has the right to agree or disagree, we all have opinions.:thumb:

I am fairly indifferent on this issue. I have MANY friends who are in Frat's and are always inviting me to come their parties and what not. On the other hand, I do get the "What is he doing here" look from many of the guys that I don't know. Several people that I considered close a couple years ago joined and I rarely see them anymore. I have seen really cool guys who are in them and the other extreme as well. What really drives me crazy is the girls who won't go for a guy unless he is wearing letters. Overall, I decided not to join one and am happy with that choice.