Most students that attend college will be faced with a wide variety of new experiences and difficult choices. One such decision is whether or not to join the Greek life, that is, to join a university fraternity or sorority. A fraternity is a brotherhood of males, while sororities are sisterhoods consisting of females only. These two types of organizations are university sanctioned, accept generally undergraduate students and are named after letters in the Greek alphabet, hence the nickname "Greeks." Many people have very strong opinions for and against becoming "a Greek," and below we will review the pros and cons of both sides.

First, fraternities and sororities both have long histories of being stereotyped in the media. With such movies as "Legally Blonde" and "Animal House," Greeks are typically portrayed as superficial, unintelligent party animals that don’t take college very seriously. These stereotypes can damage a student’s reputation and even job prospects should a perspective employer agree with that image. Also, Greek organizations are also generally very expensive. Not only do students have to pay membership dues, there are also costs for social events, outings, chapter supplies and more. If you are a student that is already struggling with the cost of tuition, perhaps joining these groups isn’t right for you. Some fraternities and sororities also have proven records of questionable behavior. From out of control parties to dangerous initiation activities, many groups have been cited by the law and their universities for their unsafe behavior.

But there are also many benefits to joining a Greek organization. First, these groups provide members with a large number of friends and acquaintances, which can be very reassuring when you enter a large school of strangers. Also, this provides students with great job networking abilities. With so many connections, both during and after school, students can increase the likelihood of landing a job. These organizations also generally conduct a great deal of community service. From hosting fundraisers, volunteering at local non-profits or participating in service days, Greek organizations can provide students with a wide variety of opportunities to give back to their community.

Whether you join a sorority or fraternity, be sure to research the organization and review your financial situation before you decide. Having all the facts is the best way to ensure you time in college is well spent.