So you’re new to GW and wondering what’s with all this hype about Greek life. This year marks the 150th anniversary of Greek life at GW. Greeks now make up nearly 20 percent of the undergraduate population and their numbers are growing rapidly. The Greek community has never been stronger and there has been never been a better time to join.
Being a part of Greek life is an experience unlike any other. You can never truly understand it until you’ve experienced it. The bonds that you make in a fraternity are extraordinarily strong. These people are not only friends; they are brothers and men who share your values, morals and ideals. These bonds last a lifetime, and your brothers will be some of the best people you ever meet.
The benefits of Greek life extend far beyond your years at GW. Members at GW have received exclusive internships through their chapters to work for the White House, top investment banking firms, lobbying firms, major television networks and many other top employers. These members use their Greek connections to advance themselves throughout their lives. In fact, 85 percent of Fortune 500 key executives are Greek, all but two U.S. presidents since 1825 have been Greek, 76 percent of U.S. senators are Greek and, of the nation’s 50 largest corporations, 43 are headed by Greeks. It is no secret that Greek life gets its members where they want to be and offers them tremendous benefits throughout their lives.
When you’re a part of Greek life, you experience things unavailable to other GW students. The annual Greek Week competition is one of the highlights of the year, and it involves the entire Greek community coming together to celebrate and compete in exciting athletic and talent competitions. It serves as our very own GW Olympics. The athletic competitions, however, do not stop there. The fraternities at GW have their own competitive sports league that includes every sport you can imagine. Each chapter also has their own formal and semi-formal each year.
Fraternities and sororities have plenty of joint parties or “mixers” with each other. This is a great chance to get wild and get to know more Greeks. They take place all over campus, at houses or at bars and clubs in the area. Wherever you see a great party on or near campus, chances are it was organized by Greek life.
Greek chapters also have the best housing at GW. You’ve seen the houses on Townhouse Row with their letters prominently displayed and huge TVs in their living rooms, but there are Greek houses all throughout campus, including another row along 22nd Street and an entire apartment-style dorm, complete with balconies, along Virginia Avenue.
Interested in community service and helping your fellow man? Each chapter has a very strong dedication to philanthropy, and the Greek community organizes countless philanthropy events each year. With an entire chapter of brothers behind you, you can serve the community on a larger scale than you ever thought possible.
Clearly the benefits of joining Greek life are endless and can greatly enhance your experiences as a college student. A lot of people have misconceptions and stereotypes about fraternities, but that’s all they are. Rush starts today, so check us out. GW is a great place. Why not make it even better by joining Greek life?
The writer, a senior majoring in psychology, is president of the GW Interfraternity Council.
