Is Joining Phi Kappa Psi worth it?

Colleges & Universities University of California - Berkeley
1

I am an intended business major who is looking for a career in investment banking or management consulting. A friend of mine told me to rush Phi Kappa Psi, is it worth it? I am paying for college by myself and I have mixed feelings joining a social fraternity. If I were to join a frat, would joining a business fraternity be better for networking?
Thanks

2

Hi there! First off are you a transfer or a freshman? I you are a transfer you will not get to benefit as much as a freshman. Now on to the meat:

Business is very network focussed profession. I do think joining a fraternity will offer you opportunities you can’t replicate anywhere else. I am a member of a social fraternity at UCLA and it is the best decision I have ever made. Here are the pros and cons of business vs social houses:

Social:
Pros;

  1. Alumni are more connected and more likely to donate
  2. Networking is better as chapters are larger
  3. Physical House
  4. Social events
  5. Get to meet a lot of people in Greek Life

Cons:

  1. Can be a distraction if you are not disciplined
    2.Can be very expensive. Besides dues which are in the thousands of dollars a year, other incidentals they do not advertise include costumes for events, philanthropy shirts, paying for random things that really add up. I have spent nearly $500 on extra items besides dues this year.

Business:
Pros

  1. Solely focused on academics
  2. Coed
  3. Dues are cheap

Cons:

  1. Alumni are not as connected
  2. networking is ok but not as great as the large networks of social fraternities
  3. Lack of house
  4. Do not do social events with sororities
  5. Not considered by IFC and PanHel houses to be a “real fraternity”

Those are kind of the stigmas. If you can afford it then it is well worth it to me. Also Phi Kappa Psi is a great house at UC Berkeley. They do events with upper tier sororities and have the nicest house on the row. Phi Psi alumni tend to be on average much more well off after graduating than other houses. Phi Psi nationals has the largest private fraternity endowment in the nation. Remember that rushing does not guarantee a bid. You must fit in well with the brothers so do not join just for networking. Phi Psi at Cal does not give bids to everyone who walks through the door. Hope this helps.