Greek Life

Southlander
Fri, 09 Sep 2016 18:40:59 +0000

Let’s answer your questions from bottom to top. Sophomores DO pledge. It’s not uncommon. Probably 10 to 15% of the new members pledged this year are upperclassmen. There’s even a separate upperclassman quota so that sororities are encouraged to take upperclassmen…but they’re not required to.
No, you will NOT be an “outsider” if you don’t pledge. About 1/3 of the student body belongs to a Greek group of some kind. That includes the engineering co-ed Greek group, Theta Tau, which in many ways functions as a social fraternity/sorority.
Do sororities take up much time? They do take time, and probably the most time is required the first semester when you are attending both new member and most of the member meetings. There are certain times you are required to be present - meetings, of course, but also philanthropic events hosted by your house, and of course the recruitment week and the work week prior. BUT - dozens and dozens of women engineering students are in sororities, as well as women in other demanding majors. It’s a matter of managing your time, prioritizing your tasks and using time wisely.
Keep in mind that first semester is when your classes are probably going to be the least demanding, since you’ll be taking pretty much basic courses.
If you haven’t yet visited the university, when you plan your visit ask if you and your parents can arrange to talk to a sorority student in engineering. Even if you do wait until the following year, it would be good for your parents to learn about the Greek system, too.
Good luck - Roll Tide!