There seems to be a lot of misconstruction and and misinformation regarding fraternities, or "frats" in this thread. paint-o-steeze is right in saying
most fraternities do not haze anymore. Hazing ended years ago as universities now put hefty penalizations for house and members who break anti-hazing rules, such as fines and expulsion. Irregardless, these days pledging a fraternity is not to see how much the brothers can torment you before you de-pledge, it's about checking out a house to see if it is the right fit for you.
For those saying that you won't join a fraternity because you want to be an individual, there is nothing about greek lettered organizations that say conformity to me. Bringing together 50 closely knit guys with different socioeconomic backgrounds from different locales is a social dynamic that you rarely get to see. I get to meet people that in no other circumstance I would ever talk to, but in this setting, they are my brother.
Fraternity isn't my life, neither is it for most fraternity men. It is meant to enrich our college carreers, not define it. I am currently working my way through college, a member of a fraternity, as well as a member of other on-campus clubs.
I am not going to lie, there is a small percentage of houses that still fit this stereotype, and they are looked down upon, not only by independents, but also other fellow greek members. Not only that, they are being phased out, as most students are focusing on their studies and their future careers, due to the heightened competition for jobs out of college. Modern fraternity men don't need "Animal House"'s, instead they need places that nurtured to be their best. These facts further support my claim:
From USCA Greek Life website (
http://www.usca.edu/greeklife/ifc/whygogreek.htm)-
-71% of those listed in "Who's Who in America" belong to a fraternity.
-Of the nation's 50 largest corporations, 43 are headed by fraternity men.
-85% of the Fortune 500 executives belong to a fraternity.
-40 of 47 U.S. Supreme Court Justices since 1910 were fraternity men.
-76% of all Congressmen and Senators belong to a a fraternity.
-Every U.S. President and Vice President, except two in each office, born since the first social fraternity was founded in 1825 have been members of a fraternity.
-A National Conference report shows a majority of the 600 NIC fraternity chapters are above the All-Men's scholastic average.
-A U.S. Government study shows that over 70% of all those who join a fraternity/sorority graduate, while under 50% of all non-fraternity/sorority persons graduate.
Statistically, you have a better chance of success in your college career when joining a fraternity.