Students can live in several different themed halls during their college experience. This 415-acre area includes community gardens and houses several conservation organizations. Best College Athletics. If so, check out our blog Should Greek Life Matter When Choosing a College? Students may have opportunities to gain leadership experience and build organizational and management skills. Since the pandemic began, a number of other colleges have also traced outbreaks to Greek life. The more than 180 options include special interest clubs and academic organizations. While the school has no plans to close, it has sought to merge with other institutions. Director of Greek Life Kristin Torrey said in an email to The Hustler that the percentage of undergraduate students in Greek Life at Vanderbilt reached a 20-year low this year, with only 35 percent of undergraduates reporting involvement in Greek life. According to the Dartmouth College Factbook, in the spring of 2018, 67 percent of the class of 2020 was Greek-affiliated, while the percentage was 71 percent for the class of 2019 and 70 percent … Our methodology also considered a school's graduation rate and student enrollment. About 20 million students enroll in college each year, but only about 10% seek … BC serves approximately 9,300 students. Vassar might be a college without Greek life, but the school does possess an active and vibrant on-campus community, with 98% of the student body living in the school’s residence halls and apartments, and 100+ student organizations. , along with Bryn Mawr and Haverford College, that allows Swatties to take classes at any of the participating schools. The Williams alumni society is the oldest in the world, and its graduating class of 1887 was the first to wear caps and gowns at graduation. Additional club sports provide athletic opportunities in rugby and sailing. Intramural sports opportunities include games as diverse as badminton and dodgeball. Many students complete mission work. More than 300 clubs provide additional social, service, and professional experience opportunities. Clubs include the Board Game Club, Campus Fellowship of the Holy Spirit, and the Not-So-Royal Shakespeare Company. Amherst also has a reputation for the affordability of its education; it is one of the few no-loan, need-blind colleges that promises to meet 100% of accepted students’ demonstrated financial need. Learning from other people and cultures is also why roughly two-thirds of Bates students study abroad. Students can also check out the gear they need for their adventures. Be sure to share these Greek Life statistics with the men you are recruiting to show what great things being Greek can accomplish. For more information on what’s happening at Hampshire College, check out this informative article from, Small and distinguished, Harvey Mudd College is one of the nation’s best schools for students studying math, science, and engineering. Located in Houston, Texas, the campus also provides easy access to the city's recreational opportunities. Students can choose from an array of student clubs. Our ranking considered the variety of student activities available to engage students in their campus communities. Many of these schools feature small student bodies, including some with religious communities woven into campus culture. Colleges seek to help students make new friends and create lasting memories. Mount Holyoke is part of the Five College Consortium—along with Amherst, Hampshire, Smith, and UMass Amherst—which allows students to take courses and attend events at member schools. Smith is one of the Seven Sisters Colleges, a group of seven historically all-women colleges, and a member of the Five College Consortium that allows students to take classes at Amherst, Mount Holyoke, Hampshire, and UMass Amherst. The recreation center also offers outdoor adventure programs. Smith is one of the. Each year, about 1,000 new students join the Loyola community. ), and students aren’t given grades, but instead “narrative evaluations.”. With its reputation for academic excellence—18 Rhodes Scholars and 133 Fulbrights awarded to students and alumni since 2000—you might think Carleton College is filled with stuffy scholars, but you’re wrong. Wellesley's location near Boston has enabled it to foster collaborative programs with Babson College and Olin College of Engineering. Unfortunately, the school is struggling financially and its future is uncertain. Ranging from gothic to modern styles, Smith student housing ranges from building capacity for 10 students to 100. Fraternities and sororities offer a ready-made community of friends. More than 170 groups provide special interest activities. Georgetown developed Living Learning Communities for first-year students. These organizations help connect students with similar interests, allowing them to build new skills. One of the 18 schools that make up the “Little Ivies,” a group of select liberal arts schools in the Northeast, Williams College is notable for many things in addition to its world-class education. Swarthmore is a member of the. While the college is without Greek life, it is rich in collaboration spirit. At some schools, being a member of a Greek organization offers the chance to live in fraternity or sorority housing. Not just culturally diverse, the school is extremely socioeconomically diverse as well, thanks to its need-blind admission policy and generous policies that eliminate loans for students with the most financial need. Still wondering if Greek life is important when choosing a college? Not only will you not find Greek life on the campus of Smith College, you also won’t find traditional dorms. Sign up for your free CollegeVine account today to get started! We rank the colleges with the best Greek life based on ratings by real students. In addition to being a winter wonderland, Middlebury uses a 4-1-4 academic calendar, which includes two four-month-long semesters, with a month-long mini-session in between. Nestled at the base of the Wasatch Mountains in Provo, Utah, BYU serves about 33,000 students each year. While the school has no plans to close, it has sought to merge with other institutions. This Catholic university offers more than 70 undergraduate majors and professional programs in areas like law and architecture. While education is a priority, the school’s unique traditions help lighten the mood; for example, the “Silent Dance Party” that occurs before finals, where students don headphones and dance together in the library. The student involvement fair helps learners find organizations that interest them. Amherst also has a reputation for the affordability of its education; it is one of the few. Rice has a well-deserved reputation as one of the best values in higher ed. The Williams alumni society is the oldest in the world, and its graduating class of 1887 was the first to wear caps and gowns at graduation. Students can take leadership roles in campus committees, service-learning programs in the Boston area, and student activities. In 2019, it enrolled just 15 students, down from 290 students in 2018. In their remaining years, students select their dorms at housing night. The university does not consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission and meets 100% of all admitted students’ demonstrated financial need. Honor societies recognize academic achievement, and service organizations provide opportunities to help others. Additionally, joining a club can help you connect with students who share your interests, values, and passions. On campus, students will find organizations such as the Gonzo Unicycle Madness club, whose Foster’s Run—a unicycle ride to a local donut shop—is a well-known school tradition. Vassar encourages lifelong fitness with a variety of classes each semester. Students enjoy access to more than 350 clubs and organizations, and the Center for Student Engagement helps students find clubs or start their own. Rather, Smith students live in one of 35 separate houses. “Greek life has really, for generations, been a public health problem, and I think that’s coming to the fore in the era of COVID-19. Rice's 11 residential colleges feature their own dining halls, social rooms, and dorms. Studying abroad also plays a large role in the academic careers of Notre Dame students—over half of the university’s students study abroad. Amherst itself houses about 100 student organizations, and more than 900 are available through the consortium. Carleton reports that 96% of all students live on its campus in Northfield, Minnesota. The K-Plan provides a dynamic learning experience—students participate in internships, externships, and service learning projects domestically, while gaining international and intercultural experience through participation in one of its 56 study abroad programs. Crowds cheer on the school's 31 Division I athletic teams. Students at one school may participate in clubs and organizations at any of the schools. Add to List. This private university is affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For more information on what’s happening at Hampshire College, check out this informative article from Boston.com. Founded in 1852, Loyola University Maryland is committed to the ideals of academic excellence and the whole person's education. Grinnell, Kalamazoo, Earlham, Bates are other schools with no history of greek life. Likewise, more than half of Grinnell’s undergraduates participate in a study abroad program. In 2005, the school stated that 1,785 students were members of a fraternity, sorority, or coeducational Greek house, comprising about 43 percent of all students, or about 60 percent of the eligible student body. They also use the percentage of students that graduate in a certain period of time (4 yrs, 6 yrs, etc). These connections can help graduates learn about career opportunities and forge relationships with hiring managers or interviewers. Williams eliminated fraternities in the 1960s, but students today will find that camaraderie-building events like a schoolwide trivia contest and Mountain Day (an event where students hike nearby Mount Greylock) solidify school spirit and community. Ranging from gothic to modern styles, Smith student housing ranges from building capacity for 10 students to 100. Hampshire College is known for its especially unorthodox academic system, where there are no predetermined majors (all students create their own! 11 Colleges Where the Most Students Join Fraternities At each of these schools, at least 46 percent of male undergrad students were in fraternities in fall 2015, U.S. News data show. More than 200 student clubs offer social, academic, and service opportunities. With more than 200 clubs and organizations, students can find something to match their interests. Graduation rates are more a function of how well prepared students are for college … ,” a group of select liberal arts schools in the Northeast, Williams College is notable for many things in addition to its world-class education. Located in northeast Ohio, this private liberal arts college offers more than 40 majors and a music conservatory. Students can also have fun and stay active by joining one of more than 40 intramural sports leagues. They also plan numerous campus events throughout the year, including concerts and special lectures. There’s seemingly always something happening in Greek life; plan on receiving lots of invitations to events and parties. The Student Activities Office helps connect students with organizations of interest, such as sports and intramural teams, cooking clubs, and professional organizations. Some high school students can’t wait to join Greek life in college, as they feel that it’s an essential part of the college experience. The college is also a member of Claremont Colleges, a collection of seven highly selective schools located in Claremont that make classes, dining halls, libraries, parties, sports teams, and other resources available to one another. The school's participation in the local Five College Consortium expands student academic, social, and service opportunities. A residential college, almost all of the Mount Holyoke’s students live on campus—creating a tight-knit community that is academically rigorous, intellectually adventurous, and socially conscious. Grades have been doled out depending on: the importance of Greek life to the campus social scene, the general attitude towards Greeks, the quality of housing for Greek students, and the difficulty of getting into a fraternity or sorority. Participating in homecoming celebrations, organizing a food pantry, or writing for the campus newspaper all enhance students' academic and social experiences. If you like being part of a close-knit group, and if you love socializing, Greek life might be a great fit. Students attending colleges with no Greek life can still forge lifelong connections with their fellow students. , where students can study at one of the eleven other member schools for one or two semesters. Schools like Kenyon, Franklin & Marshall, St Lawrence, Dickinson, Denison have greek life, in varying degrees of influence. DePauw University has earned a spot at the top of this list with 25 fraternities … Bowdoin boasts a 9-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, with 71% of classes enrolling 20 or fewer students. Colleges with the Best Student Life. Fraternities and sororities, or Greek letter organizations (GLOs), also collectively referred to as "Greek life", are social organizations at colleges and universities.A form of the social fraternity, they are prominent in the United States and Canada.Similar organizations exist in other countries as well, including the Studentenverbindungen of German-speaking countries or the Goliardia in Italy. Best College Food. Founded in 1863, Boston College originally focused on meeting Irish immigrants' educational needs. More. Williams maintains many traditions developed over more than 225 years. Rather, Smith students live in one of 35 separate houses. Yale University launched their residential college system in 1933, which began limiting Greek organizations on campus. We rank the colleges with the best Greek life based on ratings by real students about the popularity of fraternities and sororities at their schools. That too is, in my opinion, a poor data set to use in determining student satisfaction with a school. That’s where a lot of the drinking takes place, where bands play, and where pre- and post-game parties happen. At MIT, Greek life is more academically focused and attentive to developing leadership than some of … Our free chancing engine takes into account your GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, and other data to predict your odds of acceptance at over 500 colleges across the U.S. We’ll also let you know how you stack up against other applicants and how you can improve your profile. These options include dance clubs, professional clubs, and a paintball club. Today, the research university offers more than 50 majors across eight schools. Middlebury is also especially known for its study abroad programs and immersive summer language programs, where students must sign a pledge promising to speak only the foreign language of the program. Nine College Houses sponsor study breaks, events, and meals. At least to me, it can sometimes feel that nearly everyone at Dartmouth is affiliated somewhere. Middlebury has 17 trails on the Middlebury College Snow Bowl ski area and is home to the country’s oldest winter carnival. Oberlin strives to develop an interconnected campus community. Curious about your chances of acceptance to your dream school? This is in contrast to the college average, which has stagnated since the spring 2017 semester. The first coeducational college in New England, Bates College has a long history of inclusivity and believes in the learning potential in our differences—this is one of the reasons why you won’t find any fraternities or sororities on its campus. Learners can take part in a cappella groups, volunteer to walk Georgetown's mascot (Jack the Bulldog), or join dozens of sports clubs. of students say Greek life is pretty low-key and has little effect on the social scene. Honor societies recognize academic achievement, and special interest groups provide a place for everyone. DePauw University. First-year students receive housing assignments. Wellesley features 16 residence halls, each with a unique style. However, most Greek organizations also contribute to college life in other ways. Some notable non-religiously affiliated colleges that have a complete absence of Greek organizations include top New England liberal arts institutions like Colby, Amherst, Middlebury, Bowdoin, and Bates. Unfortunately, the school is struggling financially and its future is uncertain. The best colleges without Greek life offer various student activities, sports, clubs, and organizations. A point of pride for the university is that it has been home to 185 Fulbright Scholars. The Innovation + Entrepreneurship program plans to offer an incubator in 2021 to promote "Capitalism for the Common Good," with opportunities to connect with alumni, professors, and potential business investors. Still wondering if Greek life is important when choosing a college? The Office of Student Life hosts the annual Purple Key Fair to introduce students to registered organizations. © 2021 BestColleges.com a Red Ventures Company, Top 25 Accredited Online Colleges and Universities, Graphic Design, Film, Web Design, Game Design, Photography, Accounting, Business Administration, Human Resources, Finance, Marketing, Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, Web Development, Cyber Security, Paralegal, Legal Studies, Criminology, Early Childhood Education, Special Education, Elementary Education, Social Work, History, Communications, Writing, Political Science, Healthcare Administration, Public Health, Nutritional Sciences, RN to BSN, Forensic Psychology, Family Counseling, Mental Health Counseling, Ministry, Christian Counseling, Bible Colleges. Pledging is a deterrent to many students’ interest in Greek life, and can also be a distraction for students who are getting accustomed to college life. Additionally, the Carleton Folkdancers welcome everyone to take part in international folk dance. Kalamazoo College is best known for its K-Plan, which provides students with an individualized curriculum. The Explore D.C. Community, for example, offers programs that introduce new students to the city. Most of the college's roughly 2,500 students live on campus. Options include the mock trial club, religious groups, and performance clubs. The university maintains a 12-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio and offers undergraduate degrees in more than 35 areas. A number of characteristics distinguish Swarthmore from other liberal arts colleges, one of which is its undergraduate engineering program—an oddity for a liberal arts school. A Catholic University, faith plays an important role in the lives of its students, as religious thought intersects with the arts, sciences, and other areas of academics and creativity. About 1,800 students attend Amherst, which operates as a private liberal arts college. First-year students meet peers from across campus in their residential communities. With campuses scattered around New York City, Fordham students live and learn in one of the world’s great cities—and the epicenter of everything from international business to entertainment. Academic advising meetings, Greek life, supplemental instruction, scholarships and tutoring are the programs that correlate most with improved student retention rates, according to a study of nearly 1,000 initiatives at more than 55 colleges and universities conducted by Civitas Learning, which sells software that uses predictive modeling to help colleges to track and support student success. Middlebury's language programs, offered during summers, feature in-depth instruction in 10 foreign languages. Carleton offers a small community of about 2,000 students pursuing degrees in more than 70 programs. https://blog.collegevine.com/22-top-colleges-without-greek-life The list will be broken down by research universities, liberal arts colleges, and women’s liberal arts colleges. Some focus on service and political action, while others provide performance or creative opportunities. Founded in 1842, the University of Notre Dame continues to blaze new trails in research and advancement. More than 100 student organizations offer engagement opportunities. The average fraternity membership at the top 10 schools for male Greek life participation was much higher: 68.9 percent. How Will Coronavirus Impact College Decisions. About 20 million students enroll in college each year, but only about 10% seek out membership in social sororities and fraternities. Greek organizations can offer students a sense of belonging and help them connect with other students on campus. Bates uses a unique 4-4-1 academic calendar that features a five-week spring term, where students can hone in on a single subject or participate in an off-campus program. While students won’t find Greek life on campus, they’ll find fun events like Zoo Flicks (movie screenings) on Friday nights, and Zoo After Dark (free food and games) onSaturday nights. 7. Students can choose from more than 175 campus organizations. Located in the heart of the nation’s fourth-largest city, Rice University offers an active environment for students both on and off campus. A Catholic University, the school strives to create forward-thinking future leaders by teaching students to think critically, communicate effectively, and respond ethically. Community College vs. University: Which is Best for You? Greek social organizations can provide many opportunities for college students. These residential communities focus on academic interests, service learning, and interfaith activities. Wellesley operates as a women's liberal arts college. For students who don’t wish to participate in Greek life, they might want to consider schools without fraternities and sororities altogether, as that would eliminate any Greek life/non-Greek life divide. It’s also part of the Twelve College Exchange Program, where students can study at one of the eleven other member schools for one or two semesters. Some of my pre-college friends were surprised that I was rushing Greek life freshman spring semester, but it made perfect sense to me! And while many Greek organizations and schools have set strict rules for alcohol use and hazing, these behaviors persist. The University of Portland (affectionately known as UP) is located just seven miles from Portland’s bustling downtown, and offers a variety of urban opportunities while also providing easy access to outdoor destinations such as the Oregon coast, Mount Hood, and the Columbia River Gorge. How Can You Meet Other Students Outside of a Fraternity or Sorority? Some students may not be able to balance academic schedules with their fraternity or sorority commitments.