If you are transferring from another institution and want to quickly join a new family, you may want to go greek. Greek Life is about 10-11% of the UMD population, but that doesn't mean that it's the only thing you can do. If you do, rush starts next Friday. Students who have already rushed at their previous institution can contact the local chapter individually and find out about transferring.
To rush, you need to register on line
here for girls. Guys who want to rush frats will need to contact frats individually or look for information across campus about rush parties.
Rush consists of a variety of events and meetings. When you go online you will learn much more about the process. For girls there are four rounds and you meet all 14 sororities. The men's process is a bit more informal where you go and meet whatever houses you want.
Students wishing to rush need at least 12 credits on their transcript at the time of rush and a 2.5 GPA.
Posts
Hey there my name is Dustin Picard, and I am an Environmental, Science, and Policy major in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences. Coincidentally, I am also an orientation advisor for the University this summer. As a second semester freshman and someone who is going through his second rush week, I think Greek Life is a great way to meet new people. Last semester I went out for many rush events, but I knew I would not be able to pledge because I lacked the necessary 12 credits. However, I was able to make many new friends, just through one week of rushing, that I still stay in contact with this semester. Now that I have accumulated enough credits to pledge, I have indeed decided to pledge a fraternity for the spring semester. Needless to say I am extremely excited for this opportunity to become a part of a new family, and meet contacts that will stay with me for life. I am a strong believer that Greek Life is a fantastic way to meet people, especially people who share common interests with you.
ReplyDeleteHey guys! This is Dustin Picard again. I just wanted to update you a bit after going through a week and a half of pledging. Im not going to lie it was the second hardest week of my life besides finals week in the fall. However, that does not mean I am going back againt my word. In fact, I believe even more now that Greek Life is a fantastic way to develop friendships. In the week and a half of pledging I have made solid bonds with brothers of the fraternity and especially the brothers of my pledge class. Although it is very time consuming, it has also been a great deal of fun. I look forward to the even more bonds I will make down the road, and recommend it to everyone.
ReplyDeleteHey everyone! So my name's Vanessa and besides being an Orientation Advisor, I'm also a junior English and Linguistics major who has been in a social sorority for a year and a half now. I've served on the Executive Board of my sorority and I've also lived in the house on Fraternity Row for over a year. On top of that, I'm a campus tour guide with Maryland Images whom I also have a job through, and I represent Letters and Sciences as an ambassador and on the Dean's Student Advisory Committee. I know I never thought that I would consider greek life when I first came to UMD. While some of my friends went greek, nobody else in my family had, and I had a lot of concerns about the process. I found the sororities to be extremely helpful in answering my questions, it never felt like something I had to do, and I've found some of my best friends in my sorority sisters. However, I still have so many friends that I've met and retained outside of the greek organization. These are people that I connected with in class, in my resident hall, other clubs, or through mutual friends. Although I love my sorority and don't regret going greek, if I didn't choose to join a sorority I know I would still be just as happy as I am now at Maryland. If you even have the slightest curiosity of going greek, like any club/organization on campus, you should definitely check it out and give it a try! However, if it's not your thing don't worry, Maryland definitely has many more things to offer on campus, as long as you're willing to go out there and try new things.
ReplyDeleteHey everyone,
ReplyDeleteMy name is James Cowan, I'm a Letters and Sciences major and will be a orientation adviser this upcoming summer. I am a member of Greek life and am a big advocate for it's advantages and benefits. Especially as transfer student it can often be difficult to find a group of friends coming in when everyone has already been in school together for a while and has formed their own group of friends. Going Greek is a great way to make a large group of friends quickly. There are many different houses and it isn't difficult to find a house that tailors to what kind of interests you have and how you want to spend your time. The other great thing about Greek life is you can be as active or laid back in the fraternity as you please, there isn't much mandatory commitment at all.
While there are a lot of negative rumors about Greek life, most of them are just that, rumors. I definitely encourage all to at least go out and rush. Greek life is not for everyone but it certainly worth your time to check it out. Personally, I never planned on doing Greek life, and it has been the best decision I have made in college so far.
Hello ya'll!!
ReplyDeleteMy Name is Haneen and I am a sophomore Elementary Education major, as well as an OA for the summer! I am actually a member of Greek life, however I am involved in a non social coed service based fraternity.
I knew I wanted to get involved in Greek life but knew I would not fit in with the social Greeks. Our university does a great job offering something for every student to get involved in. There are so many non social Greek organizations that are service, major and career based, that offer the same family feel as well as great opportunities for your future.
I could not be any happier with my decision to pledge a community service frat. It has opened so many doors for my life here at Maryland as well as for my future. I always say that you can never make a small school big but you can make a big school small, and joining a Greek life family is a perfect way to make our big campus feel a little smaller :).