<p>Yes…Greeks make up about 1/3 of the student population and yes that means that there are A LOT of students that are not Greek. Contrary to some peoples beliefs, Greek life is MORE than just networking and social fun (swaps, drinking, parting ect…). My DD’s sorority requires her to be actively involved in a minimum of 2 extracurricular groups that ARE NOT Greek affiliated. She is also required to keep a minimum of a 3.0 and if she falls below that GPA then there are ramifications such as study hall hours, loss of privileges and even probation or suspension. For her it is her life. She loves it and has an exec position for next year and will continue to be very involved in both her particular sorority and Greek life at Alabama until she graduated.<br>
If you are looking to join a sorority (or fraternity) just for the networking then I would tell you to perhaps reevaluate your choice. With the amazing opportunities the Honors College has as well as the clubs and opportunities to become involved with other Alabama students that are offered by the University, you do not necessarily need to belong to a Greek organization to find networking opportunities. If this were the case then the 2/3 of students who make up the non-Greek population would be unsuccessful statistics and oh my goodness we KNOW that is just not true, Go back on this board and read all the threads that talk about what these AMAZING non-Greek affiliated students have done.
Two of our four children are Greek as well as my husband and myself. We all love/loved it in college and continue to be a part of our particular organization as adults. It is a way of life for us…our sorority sisters and fraternity brothers are family…we have a special bond. Two of my other children chose NOT to go Greek and guess what??? Although neither went to Alabama both have networked their way to fantastic jobs, have had tons of terrific opportunities and amazing friends who they continue to keep in touch with even after they graduate.<br>
What I guess I am trying to say is that Greek life is great…for the right reasons, BUT life at Alabama is MORE that just Greek letters. It is up to you to make those 4 years count both academically and socially. It is up to you to venture out, meet new people and give back to the University and the community of Tuscaloosa and to “network” your way through this process. Just wearing letters will not do this for you. There are tons of successful individuals who have graduated and will graduate from Alabama who never stepped foot in the door of a Greek affiliated house. I know I have posted that Greek networking helped my Greek DD #2 get a job…true but I also posted my non-Greek DD also networked and got a fabulous…the burden falls on YOU to make yourself a success…not others. (sorry…stepping off soap box now).</p>