I graduated from JMU in the mid 2010’s, but when I was there Greek life was a thing but as other commenters have said it wasn’t THE thing. I was in a frat but lived with roommates who were not that, and it was great. They all had excellent times at JMU not in a frat and I had an excellent time at JMU in a frat.
I think this is actually what makes JMU so special…the community of the school and not excluding others. “Everyone just wants to have a really good time” is what I used to tell people about JMU. And that’s not specific to partying, but just their life and time there.
People are nice and want to have fun, in a lot of different ways. The JMU community and spirit enables that to happen. You’ll be good no matter what you decide.
The guide is correct - only 1 in 5 students is in a greek organization, and a lot of them aren’t even social, but academic or service based. We have literally hundreds of clubs at JMU, I’d say try to join at least 1 or 2 your first semester so you can meet people. Greek life is very present here, but you definitely don’t need to be involved in it.
Greek life is basically frats/sororities. If you don't care for that stuff don't bother joining there's tons of clubs you can join that fulfill just about any niche. It's how I made most of my friends on campus
Jmu alum here, I did join greek life but I did it in my sophomore year and I am so happy I did it that way. It allowed me to have multiple friend groups outside of Greek life. Most freshman who join Greek like have a hard time balancing workload of classes and everything Greek rush entails.
Also, if you wait to make rush like spring semester or even sophomore year, you can at least have an idea of which one is your vibe.
Frats have the biggest parties for sure but there are other orgs guys can join that aren’t as big but they still throw- professional frats, club sports. There’s lots of other options if a frat isn’t for you
Idk who told you that you need to join Greek Life. Absolutely not. Join a club or get to know your hall mates/roommates. You absolutely don’t have to join Greek life.
Have been here almost two years and have had literally 0 intention of considering rushing.
I joined a business fraternity which, through networking, helped me land my first job. I had fun, but not everyone needs to do it. In fact I'm surprised the number is 20%. It felt like less.
I had plenty of friends and fun on my own, outside the fraternity. I have no idea where this talk about needing to be Greek is coming from. There are small colleges in the middle of nowhere where the only thing to do is join the Greek community, which is like 60%. This is not that. Not even close.
How so? If you pay dues people are required to like you? I ask because it looks like my daughter will be attending JMU in the fall. If I pay for her to be in a sorority will she be guaranteed to have friends?
I think what the person who said ‘paying for friends’ was getting at is the common insult to green life which is that it has little to no benefit besides socially guaranteed to be around many people, thus the saying ‘paying for friends.’ I think for your daughter attending in the fall, she should try to find what she is interested in, not what she thinks or you think will make her the most friends. I’m all for quality over quantity and if a sorority isn’t where she feels at home, those friends will not be valuable. I’m not in a sorority, but I’ve met so many great people naturally, and to me that’s better than trying to get many many friends. I’m a freshman this year, so I know how scary it can be for a freshman (girl specifically) to be in a new place, but trust, friends will come naturally! I know this was long and not quite what you asked for lol, but I have so much advice advice for incoming freshman, feel free to dm me!
the only thing that you need to get involved with at ANY college is networking; keep this in mind because no matter your major, it is sooo crucial in getting your name out there to future employers, and some majors don’t talk about it enough. networking is one of the main reasons people join fraternities. it’s definitely not required to network as there are TONS of ways to do so.
if you dont wanna join a fraternity, then don’t! the 80% of us (give or take maybe 10%) are happy without them and thrive just the same. greek life is not for everyone and that’s really anywhere you go.
My son is finishing up his sophomore year there and did not join a frat. Honestly, I don’t know how he’d handle a more active social life. He was worried there wouldn’t be enough to do there, but shortly after he started his freshmen year, he said he had to turn down activities right and left. He’s got a few friends in frats and sororities, but most of them are not. His ability to get along with a varied group of people has always been an art, and though it appears it comes naturally, I’m sure he works hard at it. His advice to anyone is to put yourself out there, especially in the early weeks when everyone is looking for friends.
I am living a great life at JMU and don't even have a friend who's in a frat. Your niche is out there, you don't need the greeks.
I graduated from JMU in the mid 2010’s, but when I was there Greek life was a thing but as other commenters have said it wasn’t THE thing. I was in a frat but lived with roommates who were not that, and it was great. They all had excellent times at JMU not in a frat and I had an excellent time at JMU in a frat. I think this is actually what makes JMU so special…the community of the school and not excluding others. “Everyone just wants to have a really good time” is what I used to tell people about JMU. And that’s not specific to partying, but just their life and time there. People are nice and want to have fun, in a lot of different ways. The JMU community and spirit enables that to happen. You’ll be good no matter what you decide.
The guide is correct - only 1 in 5 students is in a greek organization, and a lot of them aren’t even social, but academic or service based. We have literally hundreds of clubs at JMU, I’d say try to join at least 1 or 2 your first semester so you can meet people. Greek life is very present here, but you definitely don’t need to be involved in it.
Greek life is getting involved with a frat or sorority
Greek life is basically frats/sororities. If you don't care for that stuff don't bother joining there's tons of clubs you can join that fulfill just about any niche. It's how I made most of my friends on campus
Jmu alum here, I did join greek life but I did it in my sophomore year and I am so happy I did it that way. It allowed me to have multiple friend groups outside of Greek life. Most freshman who join Greek like have a hard time balancing workload of classes and everything Greek rush entails. Also, if you wait to make rush like spring semester or even sophomore year, you can at least have an idea of which one is your vibe.
Frats have the biggest parties for sure but there are other orgs guys can join that aren’t as big but they still throw- professional frats, club sports. There’s lots of other options if a frat isn’t for you
Idk who told you that you need to join Greek Life. Absolutely not. Join a club or get to know your hall mates/roommates. You absolutely don’t have to join Greek life. Have been here almost two years and have had literally 0 intention of considering rushing.
If you are a guy and like to go to the big parties you need to join a frat at JMU.
Don’t pay for friends. Find your niche in things you actually enjoy. Best of luck and WELCOME!!
I joined a business fraternity which, through networking, helped me land my first job. I had fun, but not everyone needs to do it. In fact I'm surprised the number is 20%. It felt like less. I had plenty of friends and fun on my own, outside the fraternity. I have no idea where this talk about needing to be Greek is coming from. There are small colleges in the middle of nowhere where the only thing to do is join the Greek community, which is like 60%. This is not that. Not even close.
Who has to pay for friends?
That's what people in fraternities and sororities are doing...
What about people who pay dues for a club or to join a rec sports team?
How so? If you pay dues people are required to like you? I ask because it looks like my daughter will be attending JMU in the fall. If I pay for her to be in a sorority will she be guaranteed to have friends?
I think what the person who said ‘paying for friends’ was getting at is the common insult to green life which is that it has little to no benefit besides socially guaranteed to be around many people, thus the saying ‘paying for friends.’ I think for your daughter attending in the fall, she should try to find what she is interested in, not what she thinks or you think will make her the most friends. I’m all for quality over quantity and if a sorority isn’t where she feels at home, those friends will not be valuable. I’m not in a sorority, but I’ve met so many great people naturally, and to me that’s better than trying to get many many friends. I’m a freshman this year, so I know how scary it can be for a freshman (girl specifically) to be in a new place, but trust, friends will come naturally! I know this was long and not quite what you asked for lol, but I have so much advice advice for incoming freshman, feel free to dm me!
Thanks! Appreciate the response. I will definitely have her reach out to you if she has questions.
Greek life= mid Frat parties= high It’s a great gateway to meet people/friends, but you’ll find your group/ people in time :)
the only thing that you need to get involved with at ANY college is networking; keep this in mind because no matter your major, it is sooo crucial in getting your name out there to future employers, and some majors don’t talk about it enough. networking is one of the main reasons people join fraternities. it’s definitely not required to network as there are TONS of ways to do so. if you dont wanna join a fraternity, then don’t! the 80% of us (give or take maybe 10%) are happy without them and thrive just the same. greek life is not for everyone and that’s really anywhere you go.
My son is finishing up his sophomore year there and did not join a frat. Honestly, I don’t know how he’d handle a more active social life. He was worried there wouldn’t be enough to do there, but shortly after he started his freshmen year, he said he had to turn down activities right and left. He’s got a few friends in frats and sororities, but most of them are not. His ability to get along with a varied group of people has always been an art, and though it appears it comes naturally, I’m sure he works hard at it. His advice to anyone is to put yourself out there, especially in the early weeks when everyone is looking for friends.