Greek Life

Information for Parents & Families

Find out interesting facts, ways to support your student's interest in membership, and overall expectations for what the Fraternity and Sorority Life Experience has to offer.

Research Findings

In 2021, the National Panhellenic Conference and the North American Interfraternity Conference renewed our collaboration with Gallup on a new nationwide survey of college graduates – including sorority/fraternity alumni. As part of this partnership, Gallup surveyed the experiences of fraternity and sorority alumni members (“affiliated alumni”) with those who were not fraternity and sorority members (“nonaffiliated alumni”). ​​​​​​Gallup has now released the results of the survey in the report "Fraternities & Sororities: Experiences in College, Work and Life."

Survey results highlight strong relationships between fraternity and sorority membership and the reported strength of the college experience, feelings of preparation for life after college and general wellbeing. Moreover, this research shows that our members are prepared, they’re more likely to thrive across their personal and professional lives and they’re more likely to be engaged with their alma maters and in their communities. 

Some key findings from the survey include:

  • Majorities of affiliated alumni are thriving in every area of their wellbeing: 62% in career wellbeing, 66% in community wellbeing, 51% in financial wellbeing, 53% in physical wellbeing and 62% in social wellbeing.
  • Affiliated alumni reporting a higher likelihood of finding a good job quickly after graduation. More than half of fraternity and sorority alumni, compared to just 36% of nonaffiliated alumni, had accepted a job offer or found employment within two months of graduation.
  • Eighty-four percent would still join their fraternity or sorority, if they had to do it all over again. 
  • More than one in five affiliated alumni (23%), versus 14% of nonaffiliated alumni, report having a professor who cared about them as a person and made them excited about learning, and had a mentor who encouraged them to pursue their goals and dreams.
  • A majority of affiliated alumni are “promoters” of their institution, based on their likelihood to recommend it. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of affiliated alumni selected a 9 or 10 on a scale where 10 is the highest likelihood to recommend their alma mater, compared with 43% of nonaffiliated alumni.

Data from the 2017 administration of the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) revealed fraternity/sorority membership had significant, positive direct relationships with student engagement and strong positive indirect relationships with self-reports of learning and acting through student engagement.

Costs

There is no exact amount to put on the experience of Fraternity & Sorority Life. However, there are monetary costs to membership. Dues vary according to chapters. Most chapters charge an application fee to cover the cost of your new member period. Upon your activation into the chapter, members are charged an initiation fee. Finally, active members are charged chapter dues. These finances are billed either per semester or annually. Please feel free to inquire about each chapter's financial obligations during recruitment.

Many organizations also offer payment plans and/or have opportunities to apply for organizational scholarships.

Supporting Your Student

Here are some ways that you can support your student:

  • Research their national organization.
  • Learn the history, core values, founding location and date of their organization of interest.
  • Encourage them to seek opportunities for leadership positions.
  • Ask if there is a family and friends club or family and friends events.
  • Get to know their close friends in the organization.
  • Support their chapter's philanthropic or community services events.
  • If you are local, come to an event.
  • Contribute!
More Information

 

Thoughts on Being Greek

What is the best part about being Greek?

The best part is all the formals and dances. I love homecoming and greek week and all the activities. I like being apart of something positive and I have enjoyed all the new friends I have made.

-- Nicole M Capone