Frat boys: the stereotypical tall, beautiful, buff guys who wear snapbacks, Polos, Patagonia jackets, colorful shorts and Sperry’s. The ones who are thought to be dumb jocks who peaked in high school, carry Jack Daniels in their backpacks and only care about getting girls, partying and barely getting a degree. If you’re new to college, you’ll probably find yourself exploring the world of frat boys and frat parties, and here’s what you should keep in mind.
1. Yes, they’re hot.
Frat boys seem to have a way of knowing what they look great in. Whether they’re all dressed up for a meeting, sporting their letters on a t-shirt, at the gym, ready for a party or going to class, they look good and they know they look good. Believe me, one time I was walking on campus and almost tripped over a rock due to the frat boy football game that I couldn’t stop staring at. No matter what they are wearing or how they look, you’ll know a frat boy when you see one. They seem to have this strong presence that just radiates “frat boy,” and there’s something oddly intriguing about it. Be thankful for the frat boys that grace your campus each and every day.
2. The love they have for their brothers is SO CUTE.
Seriously. These guys create bonds with their brothers that just can’t be broken and it is ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE. They’re always looking out for one another and have each other’s backs. 24/7, they’re ready for whatever one of their brothers might need, whether it’s a ride home or a buddy to grab burgers with. The loyalty they prove to their fraternities is admirable and a trait that any girl can find attractive. There are few things more heart-warming than seeing brotherly love that frat boys constantly show.
3. They don’t hate girls who are not in sororities!
Whoever said frat boys only like sorority girls was completely incorrect. To each his own, yes. I’m sure this varies from guy to guy and yes, there are things in Greek Life that are exclusive specifically to Greeks, but just because you’re not in a sorority does not mean every frat guy is going to judge you for it. There are countless frat brothers who have no issues with non-sorority girls, and you can still appreciate frat boys, be friends with them, experience the party scene and everything else they have to offer.
4. “Frat guy names” are a thing.
If you meet a college guy named Nick, Josh, Ben, Mike, Jared, Brandon, Tony, Trent, Trey, Cody, Brody, Chad, Brad or anything that rhymes with “dad,” chances are, he’s in a frat. It’s also highly likely that two brothers in the same frat have the same name, or four of them. No, really. One night, I met four brothers in one house named Alex, and that made for a very confusing situation.
5. They plan safe parties.
Most of the time, house parties are registered and have permission to be held. Frat boys respect the law enforcement and regulate their houses to make sure nothing gets too crazy or out of hand. They also care about the safety of who is in their house, have “sober teams” who control their parties, and are likely to call Ubers to take guests home so no one has to walk. They’re all about having fun, but they understand that putting their brotherhood on the line isn’t worth risking.
6. They’re smart.
Most fraternities have a GPA requirement that holds the brothers to an academic promise. The frat boys I know are extremely intelligent, goal-oriented and driven. One night, I had a conversation with a highly intoxicated frat brother who was talking about his determination to succeed in school and become a famous doctor. Inspirational.
7. If you’re going to go to a frat party, it is EXPECTED that you know every word to "Jordan Belfort," "All Night Longer," and "I Love College."
Every Thursday. Every Saturday. Just take my word for it and learn the songs.
8. Frat boys are involved in the community.
Each fraternity has their own philanthropy/charity they raise money for. They hold several events each year and participate in different awareness weeks to spread positivity to their communities and bring attention to various organizations while fundraising and showing support by wearing T-shirts, decorating their houses and educating students around campus for the benefit of a great cause.
9. They’ll make you wish you could be a frat boy.
I’m genuinely heartbroken that I’ll never get the chance to experience brotherhood. I just really, really, really want to be a bro. Especially on Superbowl Sunday.
10. They’re just normal dudes who want to be well-rounded and have a good time.
While there is a certain type of love for frat boys, at the end of the day they’re just normal dudes in college. They aren’t untouchable, unapproachable, or incredibly special just because they’re in a frat. All they want is to make the most of their college experience, be a part of something bigger than themselves, and make memories to share with their life long brothers.
So, the next time you walk into a dark house with pounding music, pong tables, no toilet paper, low-ceiling-basements, party lights, and the hard to miss smells of beer and sweat, remember that this is what these guys live for, and you’re getting to be a part of it. Frat boys are a fantastic part of life in college, so keep an open mind, don’t listen to negative stereotypes, experience it for yourself, keep calm and frat on.
