Thinking about rushing this fall

[JoeFahey]

I attend RPI in Troy, NY.

Here is a list of its frats:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epsilon_Iota#Fraternities

Which frats should I take a look at, and which ones should I avoid?

 

[ja1484]

You better make up your mind while you're still naive enough to think this is a good idea.

 

[minendo]

any advice on frats?

Invest in lube and liquor companies.

 

[BigJ]

The only advice I can give you is go in with an open mind, don't come off too strong, and talk to everyone. Also, don't call them frats. Some of the fraternity brothers may find it disrespectful.

As for which fraternities, it varies greatly from campus to campus. Universally, some fraternities are known as jock/sports fraternities, some are Jewish, and some are just plain douchebags. Beyond that, each chapter can vary greatly and you really will know if you want to pledge only after meeting as many as the brothers as you can.

One more piece of advice:

Ask around the campus. There will be rumors or speculation on which fraternities do what during pledging. If you happen to hear the words "elephant walk" mentioned about one of them, stay far far away.

 

[miketheidiot]

Originally posted by: BigJ
The only advice I can give you is go in with an open mind, don't come off too strong, and talk to everyone. Also, don't call them frats. Some of the fraternity brothers may find it disrespectful.

As for which fraternities, it varies greatly from campus to campus. Universally, some fraternities are known as jock/sports fraternities, some are Jewish, and some are just plain douchebags. Beyond that, each chapter can vary greatly and you really will know if you want to pledge only after meeting as many as the brothers as you can.

One more piece of advice:

Ask around the campus. There will be rumors or speculation on which fraternities do what during pledging. If you happen to hear the words "elephant walk" mentioned about one of them, stay far far away.

good advice, especially the first one, it pisses me off when people call my fraternity a frat. As far as i can tell, just go around and check them out, if you find one that feels right its probably a good idea. Look for ones that have good grades and push campus involvement, because those are the ones that typically have the better parties and better women, contrary to most peoples first thoughts.

I'll say for myself that i came to college dead-set against joining one, 4 years later i consider it the best decision i made in college. If you do it right and get a good one, its there that you will meet the friends that will be with you the rest of your life, the people that will be your groomsmen, the people that will be the godparents to your children. My dad was a sigma chi, and he is still good friends with some of the guys he joined with 30 years later, and i hope that i am still in contact with the great friends that i have made when i'm his age.

Also most fraternities don't have hazing, and the ones that do are either the obnoxious elitist type, or the animal house fucking idiot type, imo, avoid both. Don't put up with that shit. Even better call up their nationals, i hate those asses staining the names of every other fraternity out there.

 

[miketheidiot]

Originally posted by: ja1484

You better make up your mind while you're still naive enough to think this is a good idea.

look at how stupid you are.

 

[Deeko]

I can't really give you advice on particular fraternities at your school - it varies greatly from campus to campus.

The experience is what you make of it. There are a lot of very different types of fraternities, so it really depends on what you want. Your best bet is attend as many rush events at as many different houses as you can - talk to as many people as you can, both at the events and around campus, to try to find the one that's right for you. Then go from there.

 

[ja1484]

Originally posted by: miketheidiot

Originally posted by: ja1484

You better make up your mind while you're still naive enough to think this is a good idea.

look at how stupid you are.

Maybe, but at least I didn't get roped into a continuation of the ol' high school clique.

 

[miketheidiot]

Originally posted by: ja1484

Originally posted by: miketheidiot

Originally posted by: ja1484

You better make up your mind while you're still naive enough to think this is a good idea.

look at how stupid you are.

Maybe, but at least I didn't get roped into a continuation of the ol' high school clique.

right...


I was a fool like you once too, i'm glad though that i got to understand what you were missing.

 

[minendo]

Originally posted by: miketheidiot

Originally posted by: ja1484

Originally posted by: miketheidiot

Originally posted by: ja1484

You better make up your mind while you're still naive enough to think this is a good idea.

look at how stupid you are.

Maybe, but at least I didn't get roped into a continuation of the ol' high school clique.

right...


I was a fool like you once too, i'm glad though that i got to understand what you were missing.

Is that why you chose to go with a user name including theidiot?

 

[Deeko]

Originally posted by: miketheidiot

Originally posted by: ja1484

Originally posted by: miketheidiot

Originally posted by: ja1484

You better make up your mind while you're still naive enough to think this is a good idea.

look at how stupid you are.

Maybe, but at least I didn't get roped into a continuation of the ol' high school clique.

right...


I was a fool like you once too, i'm glad though that i got to understand what you were missing.

I think there's more positives than negatves, but he IS right to an extent. I joined a fraternity near the end of my sophomore year so I saw both sides of the college social spectrum. Greek life definitely brings back a lot of high school-type social groups and cliques.

 

[dbk]

I would vote against joining until you're at least in your second year. Frosh pledges usually struggle with grades except for the exceptional ones.

 

[miketheidiot]

Originally posted by: minendo

Originally posted by: miketheidiot

Originally posted by: ja1484

Originally posted by: miketheidiot

Originally posted by: ja1484

You better make up your mind while you're still naive enough to think this is a good idea.

look at how stupid you are.

Maybe, but at least I didn't get roped into a continuation of the ol' high school clique.

right...


I was a fool like you once too, i'm glad though that i got to understand what you were missing.

Is that why you chose to go with a user name including theidiot?

this is clearly an original retort that i have never heard before.


and for the record my name ends in the idiot because it was originally intended as a troll account, luckily trolling is encouraged in p&n


on topic though, you really shouldn't take advice about this from bitter nerds on the internet, while plenty of people can be reasonable on this subject, alot of people are very reactionary about it for a variety of reasons. I fi were you i would talk to someone who has already been though it, or find out for yourself, you have nothing to lose by trying.

 

[Steve]

I'm a ZBT, I see they have a chapter there.


Best advice is to just hang out with the various groups and see which one feels like the best fit for you.

 

[miketheidiot]

Originally posted by: Deeko

Originally posted by: miketheidiot

Originally posted by: ja1484

Originally posted by: miketheidiot

Originally posted by: ja1484

You better make up your mind while you're still naive enough to think this is a good idea.

look at how stupid you are.

Maybe, but at least I didn't get roped into a continuation of the ol' high school clique.

right...


I was a fool like you once too, i'm glad though that i got to understand what you were missing.

I think there's more positives than negatves, but he IS right to an extent. I joined a fraternity near the end of my sophomore year so I saw both sides of the college social spectrum. Greek life definitely brings back a lot of high school-type social groups and cliques.

this happens in college anyways, you just never see the other cliques otherwise. On one hand, there were some people in my fraternity that i don't really care for, on the other hand, i wouldn't know most of my good friends. Personally i think that i am a far stronger and wiser person than i was 5 years ago, and i think joining a fraternity had a very positive effect on me, especially when i think about what i was like 5 years ago.

 

[miketheidiot]

Originally posted by: dbk
I would vote against joining until you're at least in your second year. Frosh pledges usually struggle with grades except for the exceptional ones.

Personally i would wait til second semester, it gives yo more time to get to know people and decide whether it would really work well for you.

Go out and rush anyways, its a good way to meet alot of people and you never hae to join anywhere.

 

[ja1484]

Originally posted by: miketheidiot

Originally posted by: minendo

Originally posted by: miketheidiot

Originally posted by: ja1484

Originally posted by: miketheidiot

Originally posted by: ja1484

You better make up your mind while you're still naive enough to think this is a good idea.

look at how stupid you are.

Maybe, but at least I didn't get roped into a continuation of the ol' high school clique.

right...


I was a fool like you once too, i'm glad though that i got to understand what you were missing.

Is that why you chose to go with a user name including theidiot?

this is clearly an original retort that i have never heard before.


and for the record my name ends in the idiot because it was originally intended as a troll account, luckily trolling is encouraged in p&n


on topic though, you really shouldn't take advice about this from bitter nerds on the internet, while plenty of people can be reasonable on this subject, alot of people are very reactionary about it for a variety of reasons. I fi were you i would talk to someone who has already been though it, or find out for yourself, you have nothing to lose by trying.

Yeah, it's all a reaction. I am deeply invested in whether or not the OP joins a frat. You caught me.

If college activities matter after you graduate, you're doing life wrong. It's like when I'm driving on the interstate and see these cars on their way back from the football games with [insert school here] logo magnets pasted all over and the little flags flying. If they really need to live in the past that badly, it's definitely pity-worthy.

 

[miketheidiot]

Originally posted by: ja1484

Originally posted by: miketheidiot

Originally posted by: minendo

Originally posted by: miketheidiot

Originally posted by: ja1484

Originally posted by: miketheidiot

Originally posted by: ja1484

You better make up your mind while you're still naive enough to think this is a good idea.

look at how stupid you are.

Maybe, but at least I didn't get roped into a continuation of the ol' high school clique.

right...


I was a fool like you once too, i'm glad though that i got to understand what you were missing.

Is that why you chose to go with a user name including theidiot?

this is clearly an original retort that i have never heard before.


and for the record my name ends in the idiot because it was originally intended as a troll account, luckily trolling is encouraged in p&n


on topic though, you really shouldn't take advice about this from bitter nerds on the internet, while plenty of people can be reasonable on this subject, alot of people are very reactionary about it for a variety of reasons. I fi were you i would talk to someone who has already been though it, or find out for yourself, you have nothing to lose by trying.

Yeah, it's all a reaction. I am deeply invested in whether or not the OP joins a frat. You caught me.

If college activities matter after you graduate, you're doing life wrong. It's like when I'm driving on the interstate and see these cars on their way back from the football games with [insert school here] logo magnets pasted all over their car. If they really need to live in the past that badly, it's definitely pity-worthy.

you seem very bitter. would you care to explain your past so that your perspective can be better understood?

 

[ranmaniac]

This one.

 

[ja1484]

Originally posted by: miketheidiot

Originally posted by: ja1484

Originally posted by: miketheidiot

Originally posted by: minendo

Originally posted by: miketheidiot

Originally posted by: ja1484

Originally posted by: miketheidiot

Originally posted by: ja1484

You better make up your mind while you're still naive enough to think this is a good idea.

look at how stupid you are.

Maybe, but at least I didn't get roped into a continuation of the ol' high school clique.

right...


I was a fool like you once too, i'm glad though that i got to understand what you were missing.

Is that why you chose to go with a user name including theidiot?

this is clearly an original retort that i have never heard before.


and for the record my name ends in the idiot because it was originally intended as a troll account, luckily trolling is encouraged in p&n


on topic though, you really shouldn't take advice about this from bitter nerds on the internet, while plenty of people can be reasonable on this subject, alot of people are very reactionary about it for a variety of reasons. I fi were you i would talk to someone who has already been though it, or find out for yourself, you have nothing to lose by trying.

Yeah, it's all a reaction. I am deeply invested in whether or not the OP joins a frat. You caught me.

If college activities matter after you graduate, you're doing life wrong. It's like when I'm driving on the interstate and see these cars on their way back from the football games with [insert school here] logo magnets pasted all over their car. If they really need to live in the past that badly, it's definitely pity-worthy.

you seem very bitter. would you care to explain your past so that your perspective can be better understood?

I am very bitter. I do cranky and cynicism well. The world deserves it.

What kind of past do you want? I received my bachelors, I'm finishing up a post-grad doctorate in Physical Therapy this December. I have many friends of both genders that required no organizational affiliations to acquire, and my interests range from exercise and rehabilitation to technology to climbing and mountaineering. I enjoy nature and hedonism and I actively avoid commitment because it interferes with the latter. I womanize more than is respectful or likely even healthy because I like sexual activity but not relationships. I'm mostly broke, living on loans as a graduate student, and don't give two shits about fashion or anything the mainstream media tells me I should be worried about.

Anything else?

Edit: Oh yes, and I am vastly less concerned with the "major issues of our time" than most people because in my field, I've seen exactly how little all this stuff the American public worries over day to day really matters when you get down to brass tacks.

 

[Steve]

Sounds like someone didn't get a bid.

 

[ja1484]

Originally posted by: Steve
Sounds like someone didn't get a bid.

Got anything better than that? I mean, I'll actually put some effort in if it's even half-assed decent bait, but you really gotta give me more to work with than this pap.

 

[Ns1]

I was president of a fraternity. If you got questions PM me.

 

[Deeko]

Originally posted by: ja1484

Originally posted by: Steve
Sounds like someone didn't get a bid.

Got anything better than that? I mean, I'll actually put some effort in if it's even half-assed decent bait, but you really gotta give me more to work with than this pap.

I find these little battles amusing. Independants blindly hate those in greek life (I did too), those in greek life assume those hating them are either jealous/couldn't get a bid or just don't know what they're talking about.

Keep going, I've got nothing better to do tonight.

 

[ja1484]

Originally posted by: Deeko

Originally posted by: ja1484

Originally posted by: Steve
Sounds like someone didn't get a bid.

Got anything better than that? I mean, I'll actually put some effort in if it's even half-assed decent bait, but you really gotta give me more to work with than this pap.

I find these little battles amusing. Independants blindly hate those in greek life (I did too), those in greek life assume those hating them are either jealous/couldn't get a bid or just don't know what they're talking about.

Keep going, I've got nothing better to do tonight.

Me neither - why do you think I'm here?