<p>I like the idea of doing community service and making connections in my major, but the yearly dues for freshman is around $150-$200. :/</p>
<p>I was wondering whether it would be worth spending that much money.</p>
<p>For those of you who are in or were considering joining a professional sorority, what was your experience like? What were the benefits as well as the cons?</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>I guess it just depends on the person. My hallmate (he’s a guy, so joining a fraternity) is trying to get into a premed fraternity. He likes the idea that he can get help from other people who have the same goals as he does, and meeting other people. He’s also hoping that the fees will pay themselves off in the long run, helping him on his road to becoming a doctor. A current Greek member I know says that the fees are worth the rewards.</p>
<p>On the other hand, most of the rest of my hall (including myself) aren’t interested in rushing. The fundraising and intro requirements are stressful and “absolutely awful” according to a current sorority member. Also, the reputation of Greek life is something that a lot of people want to avoid. Even the organizations that have nothing to do with the stereotypical greek scene still hold that bad rap. It also takes up a lot of time and commitment. What the mindset is for this side is that although you can make friends and connections in a frat/sorority, you can do that outside of one without spending the money.</p>
<p>There’s a huge difference between social and professional fraternities/sororities.</p>
<p>The professional ones focus on networking / professional development, whereas the social ones are all about a close bond and shared values. They’re so different that I don’t even consider them to be the same type of thing.</p>
<p>I spend on the low end of that for membership in my music fraternity. That is a good chunk of money, but generally, social sororities’ dues cost at least hundreds of dollars more.</p>
<p>I love spending time with my sisters and making music with them. To me, there’s nothing better in the world. We are more like a social group in the things we do (we have a bid night, we have a yearly formal). One of the best things is that each member knows that the reason she joined is because of music, and that ties us very close together.</p>
<p>The only cons I can think of are that my group doesn’t participate in Greek Week and other major Greek events on campus.</p>
<p>I’m currently pledging a co-ed fraternity, and while it’s not pre-professional, we are united by an academic motivation. That makes the difference for me. I know that my future siblings and I share a common interest (more than just us “clicking with the older members”) and that is and will bond us even more.</p>
<p>If you really want to dedicate yourself to community service with people you are bonded with (that I think is the key, more than anything since that is what makes the money worth it), then join- you will bond with your pledge mates.</p>