Fraternity and sororitity life might just be different than you would think. It just might give you a better life.

 

By Matt Betcher

 

Each year several students receive the opportunity of accepting a bid into a fraternity. Often a key part in that decision involves the answer to the question; can I afford paying for it?

 

For some the answer to that question is easy, as they accept without a question. For others the experience isn’t worth spending thousands of dollars.

 

There are many arguments for and against undergraduates joining fraternities and sororities. Including the connotation of the party life stereotype.

 

One of the biggest factors why people join fraternities is the social aspect. You don’t only have the opportunity to make friends with members of your fraternity, but also you have the chance to interact with the Greek community.

 

“Since joining a fraternity I’ve been able to meet a lot of different people throughout the Virginia Tech community,” said Joey Droter . “A chance I wouldn’t have if I didn’t join a fraternity.”

 

But it’s not always the social aspect that plays into joining.

 

“The biggest factor that propelled me to join a fraternity was the network it provided,” said Christian Carpenter . “It’s helped me get into the executive branch of Student Government and other campus organizations.”

 

There is no denying that Greek life is a huge part of campus life, accounting for 18% of the student population.

 

Students in Greek life also participate in several community service projects and philanthropies put on by organizations. Raising $350,000 annually to national and local philanthropies.

 

Not only do the raise a lot of money but fraternities and sororities also have a higher average GPA than the average undergraduate GPA

 

“Being in a fraternity is worth the money, it gives you opportunities that most organizations don’t have,” Carpenter said .