Fraternities are organizations aiming to foster brotherhood between members. If you are an incoming freshman, and are deciding to join a fraternity at rush, here are few ways on how to select the best.
Start scouting during summer
As incoming freshman, you are probably thinking that scouting a fraternity starts during the first weeks of school, or that fraternities recruit only during those weeks. This is a misnomer. Fraternity rush actually starts in summer.
This is because fraternities organize a lot of activities during summer that usually becomes an opportunity to recruit new members. Start scouting on summers.
Get in touch with friends or acquaintances that are members of a fraternity. Ask them questions so you can get an overview of what their fraternity is about, their beliefs and principles as well as their activities.
You can also ask if their fraternity has an open activity that an outsider can attend. This is a good chance to acquaint yourself with them.
Ask around and compare responses
Asking just one person per fraternity is not an ideal. For all you know, what he said is only his opinion. It would be best if you could ask a couple of people in the fraternity, and then compare their responses in major points to those you have asked from the other fraternities. This will help you decide which of the fraternities you will join.
Know the major points, those that have to be considered when deciding
Do not just go out there asking irrelevant stuff. Consider the following things when inquiring into the fraternity: first of course, is their beliefs, their principles and what separates them from the rest of the fraternities.
Second is their academic standing. That is, how good the fraternity is in terms of grades. You may want to inquire on the members’ academic achievements like winning academic contests or GPA’s, as well as the support group they provide for their brothers, like if they have study partners or whatever. Third is the extra-curricular.
Know if any of the fraternity brothers holds a position in the student council or government, or if they have secured a good place in the past intramurals.
Lastly, consider the reach of their alumni brothers and the possible career opportunity they can provide you once you are already a graduate.
Know the internal relationship of the members
Once you get a chance to spend moment inside the fraternity as in an open-house activity, observe how they treat other members, what they say about the other fraternities and to their own brothers.
You would not surely want to be the next victim of their backstabbing habit. It may just get you into trouble once you are already one of them.
Be critical but friendly when you meet other fraternity members
Consider the fraternities as applicant for a job opening. They will always put their best foot forward at all times until they get what they want.
Be wary of the dudes you think are “cool” and can be your great friends. Look closely at the minority and see how they are treated. Be sure not to be overwhelmed by the attention you get and the things they boast.
Be critical in deciding which fraternity to join. The fraternity you are in will definitely affect and could make a difference to your entire school life.