Are you looking for people who will always be in your life? So consistent, you might even call them brothers? Are you looking for an opportunity to serve the community around you as well as contribute to charity work? Do you want to be heavily involved on your school's campus? Do you think your parents want you to have a sure fire way of maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA? If you answered yes to any of these, you should consider pledging a fraternity.
First, let's make something incredibly clear. You should not pledge a frat just because your grandfather was part of that chapter back in the 60's. Chances are the chapter doesn't consist of the same guys it did back then. Nor should you pledge because you think it'll get you laid. If you are a repulsive sleaze bag to non-greeks, it is highly unlikely that a sorority girl (or frat boy, no discrimination here) will find you any more attractive because of your boat shoes and Rowdy Gentleman apparel.
The main reason you ought to join a specific chapter is if you find that you like being around them. Plain and simple.
Let me give you a quick flashback to who I was before I decided to rush, just so you know it's an institution made for more than just the guy you hated in high school.
It was my second semester of college and I had given up the idea of joining a fraternity. I thought I didn't drink enough. I thought I wasn't cool enough. I thought that not enough girls found me attractive. All of these contributed to the notion that I could not be a healthy contribution to any fraternity unless it was a Christian one. That was, until I was offered a free donut and a rush schedule from the men of Kappa Alpha Order.
After talking to a couple of the active members, I realized that they weren't all the same. They were Christians, Atheists, Republicans, Democrats, white, black, Hispanic, criminal justice majors, business majors, accounting majors, and mostly good people. The only word that could be used to describe all of them would be brothers. They had each other's backs on anything. Like a family they watched football together, played Mario Kart on a regular basis, and of course played the occasional game of beer pong (I'm like 65 percent sure I have the longest standing house record). Needless to say, I wanted in.
I was worried about my chances of receiving a bid. Only once did I have the opportunity to make it out to a rush event. I came in two hours after it had started. But, as fate would have it, I was offered membership into the order.
Over the course of two months I garnered a relationship with these new found friends. They taught me discipline in my schoolwork, time management in preparing for our weekly pledge class and loyalty when it came to the man sitting next to you. I was even given the opportunity to shake my rump every Saturday night!
Of course, there are more undeniable facts as to why it is beneficial to pledge a fraternity. Here's a brief infographic on the real world benefits of being a fraternity man.
As you can see, members of Greek life have a history of going on to be wonderful contributions to society.
Though, this shouldn't be enough to absolutely convince you that you ought to pledge. So go check out the chapters at your school during their rush week. Get in touch with the adviser at your school. Talk to people you know that are already involved and see what they think!
As a fraternity man, I encourage you to get out and see for yourself how you can contribute to a chapter and to the community around you.
