Things to Consider
- Joining a fraternity or sorority can make a large university feel much smaller.
- Greek members consistently outperform other students in the classroom.
- Leadership opportunities and development are a built-in part of the community.
- Make lifelong friends that will keep you connected to Tulane long after you graduate.
- Give back through philanthropic and service opportunities.
Costs can vary greatly by chapter, but it is important to educate yourself on the cost to join a group before you commit, as most groups require a commitment of at least one full semester once you accept a bid. The recruitment and intake processes offer a great opportunity to ask questions about financial obligations.
Dues go toward (Inter)National fees, chapter operating costs, and social functions. New members should expect to pay higher dues their first semester due to initiation fees. There also may be additional costs throughout the year for event photos, extra t-shirts, and other fees.
Interfraternity Council Fraternities
- $600-$2,500 per semester
- Plus $25 Greek Fee without a chapter facility per semester
- Plus $45 Greek Fee with a chapter facility per semester
Multicultural and National Pan-Hellenic Council Fraternities and Sororities
- $300-$1,000 per year
- Some include a $1,000-$3,500 one-time fee in the first semester
- Plus $15 Greek Fee per semester
Panhellenic Sororities
- $750-$1,200 per semester
- Plus $200-$400 one-time fee in the first semester
- Plus $20 Greek Fee per semester
In addition, all members of the fraternity and sorority community pay a Greek activity fee.
- Member of an IFC organization with a chapter facility - $45
- Member of an IFC organization without a chapter facility – $25
- Member of an MGC sorority - $15
- Member of an NPHC fraternity or sorority - $15
- Member of a Panhellenic sorority - $20
Time commitment generally varies from chapter to chapter and from member to member, but you can expect to invest more time in your fraternity or sorority during your first semester as you go through your new member education program.
New member education is a very important and mandatory part of membership. It can also be time intensive. You'll learn about the history of your organization and spend time getting to know your brothers and sisters. We do have a required six-week new member education window. Some organizations may conduct abbreviated new member education periods, but no chapter shall extend the six weeks.
Most chapters require a weekly meeting, and you'll have other planned commitments throughout the semester like service projects, philanthropy events, and ritual ceremonies.
Fraternity and sorority members take time to have fun, including events like:
- Retreats
- Formals
- Homecoming
- Parents Weekend
- Themed Events
- Band Parties
- Movie Nights
Frequently Asked Questions
What is fraternity/sorority membership all about?
Fraternity and Sorority membership is about building lifelong friendships with individuals who share your values and interests. Every organization participates in community service and continually educates its members about leading healthier lives and leading with integrity. Joining a fraternity or sorority connects students with countless alumni and offers a career network that often benefits members as they enter into the workforce.
How do I know which organization is right for me?
The Tulane Fraternity and Sorority community is made up of many unique chapters, representing four governing councils. The community includes social organizations and various religious, cultural, and ethnic-based fraternities and sororities. Regardless of its particular area of focus, all of Tulane’s organizations are devoted to community service and philanthropy, leadership development, and academic excellence.
The best way to find out which organization is right for you is to attend recruitment events, register for recruitment, visit chapter Instagram profiles, and get to know the members. Fraternity and Sorority membership is a lifelong commitment, so it’s important to find the group that’s the best fit for you!
How will joining a fraternity/sorority help me after college?
Membership in fraternities and sororities is a great source of professional networking, no matter the profession or industry. 1/3 of the United States House of Representatives, 76% of the U.S. Senate, 85% of Supreme Court Justices since 1910, all but 3 U.S. Presidents since 1825, 85% of Fortune 500 key executives, and all of the Apollo 11 Astronauts belong to fraternities or sororities.
Many fraternities and sororities at Tulane have minimum standards requiring members to be involved “outside” of their organizations. Often times, these requirements are even accompanied by community service hours requirements.
For the last 40 consecutive terms, the fraternity and sorority community grade point average has been above the all-undergraduate average. Sorority women and fraternity men consistently surpass their non-Greek counterparts academically and in the number of leadership roles held on campus. Additionally, many groups offer academic programs to assist members in setting academic and professional goals and assist members in improving their study skills.
Do I have to live in the fraternity/sorority house in order to join?
Not necessarily. Some organizations may require their members to live in the chapter house, but this requirement varies by organization. It is important to ask current members about their housing requirements prior to joining an organization.
Costs vary by organization depending on the services offered (i.e. meals, insurance, social dues, national programs and dues, etc.). Some of our facilities have also been approved to house second-year students. You can find more on Tulane's Housing Agreement.
What do chapters look for when recruiting new members?
Before being considered for membership in any fraternity or sorority, every student must meet the eligibility requirements that are outlined on our website.
A few areas that chapters will often take into consideration include:
- Academic achievement
- Community service
- University involvement
- Personal character
- Letters of recommendation
This list is not exhaustive. Check out specific organizations' national websites for more information on membership requirements.
If my parents weren't in a fraternity/sorority, will this affect me?
No organization in the Tulane Fraternity and Sorority community requires that you be related to another member of a fraternity and/or sorority. If a student has a family member that is a member of an organization, many groups refer to these individuals as “legacies." Organizations are primarily concerned with academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and personal character above all else.
What is the new member/membership intake process?
The new member/membership intake process is simply the time between being given a “bid” or “invitation to join” and the point of initiation. During this period, new members/aspirants often learn more in-depth information about the organization they are about to join through a formal new member education curriculum.
How do I join a fraternity/sorority?
The Tulane University Fraternity/Sorority Community participates in deferred recruitment, meaning entering first-time first semester freshmen may not join fraternities and sororities. Freshmen students may join an organization after obtaining a 2.5 GPA and earning 12 university credit hours. Deferred recruitment allows students the opportunity to adjust to academic life at Tulane before taking on the additional time commitment of a Greek organization.
If you have any idea of which organization you would be interested in joining, contact their intake/recruitment chair; chapters often list their recruitment officer and their contact information on their Instagram profiles. For more information about sorority and fraternity recruitment, contact us at greek@tulane.edu.
What are the university requirements to join a fraternity/sorority?
To be eligible to participate in recruitment or intake, prospective members must fulfill these requirements.
- Specific questions regarding this program can be sent to greek@tulane.edu
Whom should I contact if I am interested in joining a specific organization?
Each organization has an officer devoted to intake/recruitment. This person, often referred to as the “intake/recruitment chair,” can answer questions specific to the organization, their membership requirements, time commitments, and costs to join. Check out the chapter’s national website to learn more about their specific membership requirements.
What if I do not drink, does that matter?
Drinking is neither required nor promoted by the fraternity and sorority community. Although social events involving alcohol do occur, they are not the central focus of any organization. Students that consume alcohol under the age of 21 jeopardize their fraternity/sorority membership and open themselves to disciplinary action under the Tulane University Student Code of Conduct and Louisiana state laws.
NOTE: First-year students will NOT be permitted to attend social events with alcohol hosted at fraternity houses for the first four weeks of classes (this does not apply to designated fraternity recruitment events, which do not include alcohol).
