Many people think that joining a sorority means that you are paying for your friends for the next four years. Yes, Greek organizations do cost money- and at some schools a lot of it! But think about what that is getting you...
Your dues cover your initiation fees, badge, chapter programming (mixers, philanthropy events, sisterhood/brotherhood retreats, occasional merchandise), school-wide student activities participation and usually a lifetime subscription to the organization's magazine plus much more!
You do have to pay for formals, some t-shirts, etc. but a lot of it is covered within the chapter budget. Everyone in the organizations gets the same financial benefits of joining, not just a few people.
At schools with houses, you pay for the house and meal plan if you choose to live in it. That means dues will probably run around $2,000 a semester but that covers your housing and meal plans plus all the things mentioned above! I don't know about you, but at our school upperclassmen housing is $8,000 a year and meal plans are an extra $3,000. Essentially, you are SAVING money to be in an organization!
Just because sororities and fraternities cost money, it doesn't mean that everyone comes from a well-off family. MANY people (including myself) pay for their dues and extras. We work, have internships, receive financial aid to attend school and still feel strongly about paying for the continuation of our membership.
To us, it is worth paying the money to be involved on campus, contribute to service and community involvement, participate in fun events and to be surrounded by people we love.
Many people join an organization to "make friends" or because they want to be "involved" on campus. They don't join to "pay for friends" or to "live in the house". The financial issue comes second when initially thinking of joining an organization.
When you weigh the pros and cons of having to pay, most people find that if they are paying to be in an organization, it is worth the friends and connections they have made as well as the experiences they have gained.
These men or women are going to be the same people who will share with you your graduation day, engagement, wedding day, and someday, the birth of your children. The friendships that you make with these people will forever hold a special place in your heart and you will never give a second thought to the money you spent to share experiences with them.
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