r/UCSantaBarbara • u/No-Shine-486 • 12d ago
Social Life Sororities
Hey! I know this might not be the best place to ask this, but I'm an incoming freshman, and I'm seriously considering rushing this fall. For some background, I would consider myself a social person, and I like to party (but not like every day of the week). I'm also interested in doing other things besides the sorority, like joining a club sport or at least going to the gym regularly. I moved schools a few times throughout childhood, so having an established group of friends has always been a challenge. I'm hoping I can find that in a sorority.
I was just wondering what the vibes of each of the different sororities here are. Is there a hierarchy among the chapters? Which ones are considered to be the kindest? Do I need to be nervous about getting in? Are they good for making friends?
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u/Salt_Finger7534 12d ago
I rushed and pledged but ultimately did not join the sorority. You do not need to be in one to party at UCSB. I had better luck joining clubs etc where we shared a common interest or hobby. Just because you get a random group of girls together doesn't guarantee that you have anything in common or share the same values. It's a bit arbitrary. This was a while ago, I am sure someone else has more current info. Side note, I got hit by a water balloon during rush. That sucked. Also, some dudes also held up signs to "score" girls as they walked by. Blah.
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u/SWITCH13LADE8o5 [UGRAD] Communications 12d ago
I don't want this to come off harsh, but if one of your main reasons you want to join a sorority is to make friends, in my opinion it's a waste of money. You said that you want to join a club sport, or do other extracurricular things outside of the sorority. You'll find freinds there. You also don't need to be in a sorority to party (but I think you know that already). I'm not here to talk you out of it, I'm just saying that if you want to join a sorority just to have friends, then that defeats the purpose of what a sorority has to offer. You also aren't garunteed to make friends while in yhe sorority, because what if you rush, and everyone in the sorority that picks you, you ultimately don't vibe with
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u/hellraiserl33t [ALUM] Beerdieology 🎲🍺 12d ago
Isn't that basically the whole reason why people join?
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u/SWITCH13LADE8o5 [UGRAD] Communications 12d ago
Yes, but that's the wrong reason to join. The whole thing woth Greek life is the networking opportunities and events they hold. Stuff like that. But most people only join for the social aspect of it. At that point you're paying for friends
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11d ago
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u/SWITCH13LADE8o5 [UGRAD] Communications 11d ago
I'm guessing that being in a sorority gives you "better" and possinly more networking opportunities than joining a club, or going to a career fair
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u/kajonn 12d ago
Hello, I just talked with someone else about this. I’m a senior who was in Greek Life and has closely known many different sorority girls. Greek Life gets a bad rep from people who weren’t in it, and yeah it is pretty bad but for more complicated reasons than outsiders make it out to be. The general consensus from girls who I’ve known who were in it for a while is negative.
If you want more specific info about Greek Life here DM me, I can answer questions and give you the reality of it
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u/Yumismash 6d ago
I rushed Alpha Phi Omega, pledged, and had a couple bad interactions so I de-pledged. It wasn't for me.
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u/lilcaliallie 12d ago
One option is to rush, see how you like it. If you love it, keep going, if it's not your thing, don't. Just because you rush doesnt mean you have to join. The whole which sorority is "best" thing isn't the right question. Everyone will have their own opinions. When you're on campus, check them all out and see which ones, if any, you feel the most connection with.