I knew nothing about Greek houses before I left for school in the fall of last year. I knew that my brother had gone through it and loved it and that my parents had been in houses too while they were in school. I had a couple of friends from high school in houses at their respective schools but none that I could really go to for advice on rush. My brother was staying the summer at school, so in preparing for rush I basically had... my parents.

I kept telling them that things had probably changed a lot from when they were in school, and I was going to a completely different school -- yada, yada, yada. Who would’ve thought that my dad would be the one giving me the greatest advice I could get in preparing for rush, joining a brotherhood or sisterhood and being a part of it your entire life? 

How do you know you chose the right house?

“Through informal rush, which preceded formal rush, and then through the three-step formal rush process, houses and candidates would get a feel for one another. Just like today, going into and coming out of formal rush, most people had a pretty good idea of which house or houses would be a good fit. During and shortly after making the final decision, I think the vast majority of men knew pretty quickly that they had made the correct decision. As I got closer to and spent more time with my pledge and fraternity brothers, each passing day solidified my decision.”

What do you do to channel your inner frat star now-a-days? (What do you do now to keep connected to your brotherhood now?)

“Some of my pledge and active brothers still live nearby, so we have the opportunity to connect regularly. Others, who have moved away, attend annual alumni events organized by the house. Social networking has also created an opportunity to stay in touch and keep up with brothers in different parts of the country and around the world.”

As an alum, what do you like to see about your chapter when you return to your alma mater?

“It’s always exciting to see changes and improvements to the fraternity house and to hear about what the pledges and active members are doing on campus and in the community. It is interesting to see which traditions have continued and what new traditions are being created.” 

If you could give those people rushing one last word of advice, what would it be?

“Of course, get to know as many people as possible in different houses during informal and formal rush, so you can make the right decision and pick the right house for you. Once you decide on and join a house, make the most of it -- get involved and make a difference. You won’t know it at the time, but by studying, living, working and socializing so closely with this group of brothers, you’ll be forming some very meaningful and long-lasting relationships.”

Photo courtesy of Amazon.com.