Dorm selection??? Greek House???

beastman
Thu, 06 Jan 2011 09:34:02 +0000

LMK2, your husband’s reaction makes me laugh as I’d feel the same way. Who could not make my darling girl their top choice?? Unthinkable!

And of course, therein is the rub and the ultimate demise of the Greek system for my daughter (who is, again, still in HS). She thought you just sort of joined a house. The idea of going through a process and being chosen or not chosen seemed fundamentally messed up to her.

In any case, and regardless of one’s feelings about the Greek system, I think the great thing about it at Iowa (and UW, too) is that it’s really, really optional. It comprises a relatively small portion of the student body and to live happily outside it is quite easy, as B10P and LMK2’s girls can attest. This is not true of other schools, even in the Big 10, where the Greek system dominates the social structure and to opt out - or be passed over - relegates you to a lower social caste. And taking this to an extreme, browse the forums here on CC for the southern schools. Heaven help the passed-over rushee at Ole Miss or Vanderbilt. Her life is a total failure.