前言:
这是Elite College Link发表的第一篇日志,希望大家能喜欢!因为我们是一群在美国土生土长的大学毕业生,我们极为了解美国大学文化并希望中国学生们能得到最正确的资料以供选择大学和融入美国生活。听到很多学生,朋友,及他们的父母过问兄弟会和姐妹会(Fraternities and Sororities)的事,并视之为一种神秘,甚至像秘密或犯罪组织一样的存在。这里,我们讲揭秘他们的真面目:他们是什么,怎么参加,怎么运作,最重要的是:你要不要参加?
如果有任何疑问不用迟疑,欢迎留言!我们会以最快时间回复你!
兄弟会&姐妹会
作为美国大学中重要的社交结构,兄弟会和姐妹会为众人所知。在这几个有名的电影比如《Old School》《Animal House》《The Social Network》《Legally Blonde》中,它们都是至关重要的角色。
但是,到底什么是兄弟会或者姐妹会呢,考虑到他们的公众性,在美国大学中它们到底有多么流行呢?
Fraternities and sororities are well known within the social structure of American universities. They are featured in well-known films such as Old School, Animal House, The Social Network, and Legally Blonde.
But what is a fraternity or sorority, and given their publicity, how prevalent are they across campuses in the US?
What are fraternities and sororities?
Fraternities are most commonly all male groups while co-ed groups are usually called co-ed fraternities and sororities are all female groups. All are social organizations commonly recognized by their two or three Greek letter names (such as Phi Delta Pi or Sigma Alpha Epsilon). Collectively, they are referred to as Greek organizations and you will often hear references to “Greek life” on campus.
Fraternities and sororities are usually organized around a common interest. While they are most often social clubs (some with a cultural or ethnic focus), they can also be organized for community service, professional advancement or academic achievement. Many fraternities and sororities have their own houses on or near the campus, although this depends on the school.
Students have the opportunity to learn more about Greek organizations and meet their members during the “Rush” process. Usually during this period, fraternities and sororities will sponsor events to draw in prospective members. At the conclusion of Rush, you may be offered the chance to “Pledge”, which means an additional process to obtain membership in that organization. After successfully “pledging”, you become initiated as a member.
So what are the pros and cons of joining a fraternity or sorority?
Pros
• Friendships/connections– given the amount of time you will spend with other members of your fraternity or sorority, you can expect to form very strong bonds. Oftentimes, the biggest selling point of joining such an organization is the opportunity to be a part of a close community and make lifelong friends in the process. Additionally, being a member gives you access to alumni that can be beneficial in looking for jobs.
• Leadership opportunities – within a Greek organization there are many available leadership roles from running the organization to planning community service events. These can be great resume builders as well.
• Community service – nearly all Greek organizations make service a focal point of their mission. This is a great thing to keep in mind if you want to get involved in helping the broader community.
• Housing (depends on the school) – at some schools, fraternities and sororities have their own houses, either on or off campus. Particularly at schools where finding upper-class housing can be an issue, this can be a big perk of membership.
Cons
• Partying culture–at many schools, the social life revolves around Greek organizations. They throw campus parties and members are expected to socialize several times a week. Often, the culture of the organization is one that promotes partying. Too much socializing and your studies may suffer. However, not all organizations have a party-focused culture.
• Pledge process –pledges are often subject to “hazing”, which requires you to complete challenges to prove your dedication to the organization. Some activities can be harmless, like dressing up in funny costumes, while others are more serious, such as being required to drink large quantities of alcohol. While many schools keep a very close eye on hazing, you should understand what this process entails before pledging.
• Exclusivity – many people are against Greek organizations because joining is a relatively exclusive process. In going through a pledge process and identifying yourself as a member of this small community, you set yourself apart from everyone else on campus.
• Membership fees – members must pay initiation and annual member fees that go towards the upkeep of the organization. While the amount (usually several hundred US dollars per year) may not be high compared to the cost of school, it is an additional expense to be mindful of.
Key Takeaways
With many pros and cons to consider, the decision to join a fraternity or sorority is not an easy one.
Ultimately, it is a personal choice and one that you should not make until you arrive on campus. If you are considering joining a Greek organization, take your time during the rush process to learn more about the Greek organizations and speak to active members.
Ask them and yourself the following questions:
1) How important a role does Greek life play in the social activities on campus and what percentage of students are members of a Greek organization?
2) What is the reputation of the Greek organizations on campus?
3) Will I be limiting myself either socially or academically by joining one of these organizations?
Understand that this is a personal decision that depends a great deal on the school that you attend. Even though it is a large part of the social fabric at many universities, certain schools don’t have Greek organizations while at others they have a limited influence.
Lastly, there is no right answer in making this decision. Even though it may feel as if there is a lot of pressure to join or not join, think about what is best for you and your experience over your four years in college.
For college applicants, questions 1 and 2 from above regarding the influence and reputation of Greek organizations on campus are relevant questions to consider when working on selecting which schools to apply to. The social lives of many universities, especially those in the South and large State Schools, tend to evolve around fraternities and sororities. However, smaller schools such as Brown or Liberal Arts Colleges tend to have few to none involvement in Greek life.