Fraternity/Sorority Personal Statements Forum

[rmw308]

What are people's thoughts on Personal Statement's about Greek Organizations on-campus? I am still in undergrad.

[Grizz]

It all started with a simple children's toy...

[Grizz]

In all seriousness, if your fraternity/sorority wasn't about partying and trying to get laid, you're doing it wrong.

[labeauche]

While I do not agree with the above reasoning, I do agree that it probably isn't a strong topic. For the most part, the perception of Greek life isn't of a serious and mature student body. Maybe you can focus on some sort of involvement that was important and meaningful while keeping your house in the background.

I was in a Sorority in college, and have found while working in the big kid world that many people had to get over their negative views in order to take me seriously. It didn't help that I look like the sorority stereotype...

[Lwoods]

While I do not agree with the above reasoning, I do agree that it probably isn't a strong topic. For the most part, the perception of Greek life isn't of a serious and mature student body. Maybe you can focus on some sort of involvement that was important and meaningful while keeping your house in the background.

I was in a Sorority in college, and have found while working in the big kid world that many people had to get over their negative views in order to take me seriously. It didn't help that I look like the sorority stereotype...

Eh, I expected to experience what you describe but actually have found common ground because of my sorority involvement.

That said, I wouldn't center your PS around it. Involvement in Greek life (when actually done correctly) builds excellent leadership skills and truly helps you develop as a person. However, no matter how involved you are, it should not define you. Your personal statement is your opportunity to show adcomms who you are. So, if certain experiences within your organization help you show instead of merely tell how awesome you are, include them along with your other experiences. Ultimately, though, your PS should be about you, not your organization.


(Edited to remove superfluous information)

[abarrios]

.

[deadhipsters]

Grow up. People that are applying to law school also have PHD's, significant work experience, and other great softs. That is not going to cut it. There are some serious people applying along side you. It might not be fair that the Greek system is viewed that way, but it is.

[Sandro]

yea. I don't even put fraternity as an organization or anything on my resume - why risk the negative impact?

[fear&loathingintexas]

I've heard this is a no-no. It comes across as frivolous and flippant. Maybe it could work if you were talking about being able to participate in some long-term community service activity that significantly impacted you, but if you're going to talk about the rigors of being recruitment chair or designing a homecoming float, whoever is reading it will probably throw up in their mouth just a little.

[AreJay711]

It depends what you did. Someone posted a PS here a while ago and (part of it) talked about how his chapter was on the verge of going bankrupt and about to be kicked off campus when he became president and he turned it around. That's not really about a frat per se but about how he turned around an organization and made it successful through his leadership -- leadership is transferable. I think that would be a good topic as could starting a new fraternity/sorority on campus. Other than that though I agree with other people.

[JDanger007]

What about being fraternity president? That could make for an interesting story... am i right

[cutecarmel]

It depends on if you were in an NPHC org. or Pan-hell/IFC (I think thats what its called ). NPHC fraternities and sororities are less known for being drunks and sluts and require community service; also, membership extends beyond undergrad, so you have a chance of someone in admissions still being a part of the same org.

Regardless of which one you are in, if you choose to write about it in a PS, you need to be able to write about how your involvement demonstrated leadership, maturity, professionalism, etc. I agree with some other posters that say it might not be the best topic to write about (probably because of "drunks and sluts" stereotypes) but if you can pull away from those stereotypes, it might not be a bad topic.

[rad lulz]

What about being fraternity president? That could make for an interesting story... am i right

No.

[Renzo]

What about being fraternity president? That could make for an interesting story... am i right

No.

Disagree

It all started with a simple children's toy...