Greek Life 101: Fraternities and Sororities Explained

by StudyCorgi^®

Updated: Nov 21st, 2023

If you’re a first-year student, then you’ve surely heard about fraternities and sororities. You may even be planning to join one yourself! It’s no wonder: fraternities are mainly associated with fun parties and friendships that last a lifetime.

The picture displays statistics regarding famous fraternity alumni.

But did you know that the fraternity alum list includes 18 US presidents, 85% of Supreme Court justices, about 76% of US Senators, and 85% of the top Fortune 500 executives? Joining a Greek organization can also give you a competitive advantage in the eyes of your future employers. And we’re not even talking about how it boosts your leadership and communication skills.

Are you unsure if joining a fraternity or sorority is right for you? This article by StudyCorgi experts will help you make the decision! We will cover everything you need to know about Greek life. Sounds interesting? Then let’s get started!

Table of Contents

✨ Fraternities & Sororities Explained
🎉 Pros & Cons of Greek Life
🏺 The History of Fraternities
🤔 Is Greek Life Right for You?
🤩 How to Choose a Suitable Fraternity
🔥 Top 24 Greek Organizations
🌎 Should International Students Go Greek?
🎁 BONUS: Famous Fraternity Members
🔗 References

✨ Fraternities & Sororities Explained

Let’s start with the most important question: what is Greek life? Well, it’s a collective term for fraternities and sororities in college. Here’s what you need to know about them:

Basically, a fraternity is an academic brotherhood that shares the same goals and helps each other in academic life. In their free time, fraternities organize various events, parties, and competitions. They also actively participate in charity and provide social services. Each of them has its unique rituals and symbols. The Latin word frater (brother) is the source of the word “fraternity.”
The term “sorority” was first used in 1882 by Gamma Phi Beta—the group of female students at Syracuse University. The Latin word soror means “sister.” These organizations are very similar to fraternities, except they are made up of female students only.

The word “fraternity” became more inclusive with time. It is often used to refer to any Greek organization, regardless of its members’ gender. Besides, many fraternities today allow men, women, and non-binary people to join.

Why Is It Called “Greek Life”?

Fraternities and sororities have used Greek letters since Phi Beta Kappa, the first student society, was established in 1776. Ancient Greek literature was a popular subject to study in higher education at the time. Students liked this naming convention, mainly because Greek letters create an atmosphere of exclusivity and mystery. In addition to displaying Greek letters in their names and clothing, fraternities and sororities often have unique membership requirements and exclusive rites.

Over the past 200 years, Greek life has established a solid base and now has over 9 million members nationwide. It continues to be a significant component of campus culture today.

The picture enumerates some of the most famous fraternities.

Greek Life Terms You Need to Know

Fraternities are such unique environments that they even have their own jargon. Each word they use has a rich history. Here is a handy glossary that will help you avoid getting lost in the mysterious world of fraternities:

Rush	The term “rush” originates from the early days of Greek organizations, when fraternities literally “rushed” to recruit first-year students before another organization did. Currently, “recruitment” is used instead of “rush” to refer to a chapter’s proactive role in locating the best members for their organization.
Pledge	A new member who has accepted a bid to join the organization.
Meeting	A process of gathering together and discussing fraternity business.
Big	A person who oversees new members of a Greek organization.
Bid	An official invitation to join a fraternity. Bid Day is when first-year students receive their invitations and follow the initiation process.
Dues	Funds that each member has to pay in order to stay in a Greek organization. They are usually taken each semester. This money is spent on the activities, ceremonies, philanthropy, and other important things.
Active/inactive	Those members who were initiated and are in good standing can be considered active. Inactive members are those who have been removed from an organization’s activities.
Legacy	A person who has a relative that was initiated into a fraternity or sorority and successfully graduated.
Chapter	The name for the local fraternity or sorority headquarters that falls under a larger national organization.

Types of Greek Life

Now that you know the term, it’s time to go deeper into Greek life itself.

Each organization has its own goals, objectives, activities, symbols, and other attributes. Generally, you can choose from 5 different types of Greek organizations. These include:

The picture enuerates the 5 main types of Greek organizations.

👥 Social	This type includes the majority of fraternities. Their main goal is to help their members socialize and build connections with each other. These organizations are perfect for those who want to find friends with common interests. The most prominent organization of this type is Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
🤝 Service	These Greek organizations aim to help the community through various service projects. They are perfect for those who seek ways to improve their leadership skills and engage in activities for a good cause. An example of an organization of this type is Alpha Phi Omega.
💼 Professional	Members of professional-oriented organizations such as Alpha Kappa Psi aim to boost their careers. This type of Greek life is perfect for ambitious folks who’d like to grow their career prospects.
🏅 Honors	These are rare to find, but if you manage to get into one, you can consider yourself a big deal. These organizations only invite the most intellectual students with the highest GPA. If you have a membership in one of the honors organizations, you will be highly noted by employers and other people. The most prominent organization of this type is Phi Beta Kappa.
⛪ Religion/Ethnic	These fraternities and sororities aim to improve and strengthen ties within a particular cultural or ethnic sphere. The biggest ethnic-based organization is Alpha Phi Alpha, which has a strong focus on African American cultural connections.

🎉 Pros & Cons of Greek Life

Joining a fraternity can be an exciting and life-changing decision, but it’s not one to be taken lightly. Before making the leap, it’s essential to consider both the benefits and drawbacks of Greek life, so be sure to read this next segment thoroughly.

Let’s start with the advantages. Greek life has many of them, including but not limited to:

✅ Networking.

Sororities and fraternities help you meet other students with strong academic skills. Whenever you need aid with your studies, your “brothers” or “sisters” can lend a hand.

✅ Philanthropy.

Many fraternities have strong ties with national philanthropic organizations. Their members make considerable yearly contributions and participate in various fundraising events.

✅ Improved social skills.

Greek life is all about engaging with your fellow active members. Fraternities often organize engaging discussions and various exciting events, so your social skills will receive a big boost.

✅ Leadership experience.

If you see yourself becoming a leader in the future, then Greek life is for you. Not only will it increase your communication skills, but it will also allow you to actively influence the decision-making process within your organization.

✅ Housing options.

If you’re enrolled in one of your college’s fraternities, you will be given the choice to live in their residences. These are usually huge mansion-like buildings that will amaze you with their scale and comfort.

✅ Job opportunities.

The vast alum networks that are created through Greek life can be a huge help with prestigious job opportunities after graduation. Additionally, belonging to a fraternity can serve as a notable point for your resume.

✅ Lots of fun!

Engaging in Greek life is a great way to spend time, make new friends, and have memorable experiences. Being bored is the last thing that will happen if you’re actively engaged in a fraternity.

The picture presents the pros and cons of Greek life.

Despite all the perks of Greek life, there are still some serious drawbacks you need to know about. The following disadvantages push away many potential members, lead to scandals, and create a bad reputation for fraternities. Make sure to keep them in mind before making the final decision:

❌ Hazing.

Hazing is the practice of making new fraternity members perform dangerous or humiliating tasks. It can take many forms, such as excessive drinking, physical challenges, sleep deprivation, or public humiliation. Hazing is a dangerous practice that can lead to physical and emotional harm, and many universities and organizations have taken steps to prevent and punish hazing within Greek life.

❌ Substance abuse.

Alcohol is the substance that raises the most concern when it comes to addictions on college campuses. Fraternity members are more likely to binge drink than other students due to peer pressure and easy access to alcohol.

❌ Time commitment.

Fraternities often require members to attend regular meetings, participate in social events, and contribute to the organization’s activities. This can be particularly challenging for students trying to balance studies with part-time jobs.

❌ Price.

The charges (such as an initiation fee and ongoing dues) might be too high for some students. Partly this is due to the high insurance costs fraternities must pay. However, the expense of living at the chapter house is typically not higher than ordinary room and board fees for a college.

❌ Exclusivity.

There are situations where exclusivity can lead to toxicity within a Greek organization. Some members may promote discrimination, but they’re usually dealt with. Still, keep this in mind before joining a fraternity or sorority.

❌ Stereotypes.

Greek life members are often stereotyped as spoiled “frat boys” who party all the time and don’t get along with other students. To explore this further, we’ve decided to cover myths about Greek life in the next segment.

Fraternity Myths Busted

There is always a possibility of negative experiences within fraternities and sororities. Still, what goes on in one chapter doesn’t necessarily happen in all of them. The truth is, people engaged in Greek life actively fight negative aspects and genuinely try to improve the situation.

Unfortunately, the media often promotes anti-fraternity messaging, which can turn people away from Greek life. Besides, with frequent high-profile incidents related to misconduct within fraternities, many people end up associating all of Greek life with dangerous behavior.

Well, we’re here to bust the biggest myths that surround student organizations. Let’s examine them in detail:

Myth	Fact
❌ Hazing is inevitable.	Bullying and toxicity are common in human nature and they can’t be wiped out for good. Still, fraternities don’t promote such behavior. Toxic members are usually expelled from chapters early on. Besides, the majority of today’s students strives for equality and tries to eliminate hazing altogether.
❌ Drinking and drug abuse are present in all fraternities.	Imagine yourself as the head of a fraternity or sorority. Would you promote and encourage drinking and drug abuse within your organization knowing that it’s a federal offense? If any of your fraternity members get into trouble, you will also be responsible. Students still drink sometimes, especially in so-called party schools. But heavy drinking is severely punished by chapter heads and other fraternity members.
❌ Fraternity members don’t care about academics.	This is simply not true. Many organizations have strict requirements for members’ GPA scores. After all, getting good grades and helping each other to study is one of the pillars of Greek life.
❌ Fraternities do not benefit the local communities.	This too couldn’t be further from the truth. Every national fraternity and sorority has a community service or philanthropy program that helps to raise money for charitable organizations and nonprofits. The American Red Cross, the McDonough County YMCA, the Macomb Fire Department, and many other charities have benefited from Greek organizations’ local and international work.

Now, you can see Greek life objectively and make a balanced opinion. But before we proceed, let’s have a look at where fraternities come from.

🏺 The History of Fraternities: How It All Began

Students started creating secret organizations in the late 18^th century. They gathered together to discuss big events and different topics that weren’t brought up during class. The first fraternity, Phi Beta Kappa Society, was founded in 1776.

In the early days of fraternities, their members typically belonged to the elite social classes and were focused on intellectual pursuits. They often engaged in debates and literary discussions. Fraternities also served as a way for young men to form bonds and establish connections with people of their social class.

Soon after, members also started planning events like parties, sporting competitions, dances, and so on.

The purpose of fraternities and sororities has mostly stayed the same since the 18^th century. Their main goal is to advance their members’ social, academic, and professional goals. And, of course, they help their communities.

The picture enumerates some of the main Greek life milestones.

Confronting Greek Life Controversies

Sadly, the history of Greek life in the US has plenty of dark chapters. Perhaps the most notorious are the scandals associated with hazing during freshmen initiations, binge drinking, as well as misogynistic, racist, and homophobic acts. Many fraternities allowed their members to act cruelly and haze new members. It’s primarily because, in the earlier days of Greek life, higher education was available only to privileged members of high society. Although the times were changing, the traditions remained largely the same in secret societies.

Nowadays, the situation is vastly different, but unfortunately, fraternities are still associated with sexual harassment and drug abuse.

Fraternities & Sororities Today

Throughout its existence, Greek life has been continuously improving. Just like society as a whole, it has become more inclusive and mindful of social issues. This is how the things are today:

Fraternities and sororities still play a major role in campus life. According to statistics, Greek life influences socialization of 67%, shopping behavior of 38%, purchases of 37%, and food choices of 36% of students.
The number of culturally-diverse organizations has grown exponentially. It’s no longer a place for just one type of student. Now, everybody is welcome to join.
Fraternities must go through accreditation process. This practice helps to ensure that student organizations meet certain criteria regarding their operations, policies, values, and principles. Accreditation also requires fraternities to follow risk management guidelines which help reduce the likelihood of accidents.

🤔 Is Greek Life Right for You?

Now you know about the advantages and disadvantages of Greek life and how it has changed through time. It’s time to decide whether you should join a fraternity!

If you feel like a membership will harm your financial or academic standing, then it’s better to refrain from joining. Greek life is not for everyone, and that’s completely fine. It’s not obligatory to join, and there are a bunch of other things that you can do instead. For example, there are clubs, faculty events, and many other activities provided by universities.

And if none of the drawbacks bother you, then go ahead and start your Greek life adventure! If you plan to join one of the fraternities or sororities, we’ve prepared a lot of helpful information for you. Continue with this article if you wish to make your Greek life experience as pleasant as possible.

🤩 How to Choose a Suitable Fraternity or Sorority

The first step is to choose the organization that will help you spread your wings and thrive. So, take this step seriously!

Be honest with yourself about your goals and needs.
Avoid getting caught up on exclusivity and keep a cool head.
Take your time and study all the options before making a final choice.

With that in mind, follow the roadmap below:

The picture enumerates the steps to choosing a fraternity or sorority.

1. Look for Like-Minded People

This is the most important factor. Your potential fraternity must share your interests and values. To make the right decision, investigate and Google various Greek organizations on your campus. Most fraternities have a mission statement that you can find on their website or social media pages. Check it out to learn about their core values and principles.

2. Study the Reputation of All Chapters in Your School

Nowadays, it’s easy to do your research on practically anything, including every fraternity out there. So, aside from the organization’s website, make sure to look them up on news websites.

Many fraternities have more than a few skeletons in their closet. Look for the following information:

❓	Are the chapters that you wish to enroll in accredited?
❓	Where do their alums work?
❓	Were they involved in any scandals recently?
❓	Do these chapters have any distinguished individuals as alums?

3. Learn about the Fraternity Dues

Joining student organizations can be pricey. They usually require you to pay for multiple things like entrance fees, rent, black-tie events, and even uniforms. These prices vary from one Greek organization to another. Usually, the sum is somewhere around $300-600 per semester.

4. Seek Diverse Communities

Back in their early days, fraternities were only there for privileged white men. Nowadays, they are very diverse and inclusive. So, be sure to pick one that has diverse members. Such an organization will expose you to various perspectives and experiences that will enrich your life. Besides, this way, you’ll promote and foster inclusivity and tolerance within your school.

5. Inquire about Legacy Options

You might have thought about carrying on the legacy of a previous member of your family who joined a particular sorority or fraternity. Being a direct descendant of a specific chapter member used to ensure admission, but that isn’t necessarily the case now. We recommend asking whether this option is available on the chapters that interest you.

At the end of the day, you are not obliged to join a chapter simply because a member of your family did. It’s all up to you!

6. Talk to Actual Fraternity Members

Getting to know fraternity’s current members is the best way to get real insights into the organization. You can ask anything that concerns you and get honest answers. Make as many friends from fraternities or sororities as possible so that it will be easier for you to get along with them once you join.

7. Check Philanthropic Causes

If a Greek organization is seriously engaged in philanthropy, it’s a big plus to their karma. Unlike some self-centered fraternities, they’re definitely not like that. You’ll be able to tell how high they value their reputation and how far their mission goes. It’s a good sign that they share your interests and values.

8. Consider Joining a Black, Asian, or Latinx Community

Many great cultural-oriented fraternities and sororities are waiting for students who cherish their heritage and want to contribute to racial equality. The members of these organizations protect and support one another. If you’re proud of your culture and want to strengthen your bonds with it, cultural-oriented fraternities are for you.

🔥 Top 24 Fraternities & Sororities to Choose From

So, you know how to tell a good fraternity from a bad one. Now, you probably want to know what the best fraternities and sororities are. Well, we’ve researched them for you and listed them below! We also included links to their official webpages so you can check them out for yourself.

The picture enumerates the top 24 fraternities and sororities.

7 Most Popular Fraternities

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ)	Pi Kappa Alpha, one of the world’s largest Greek organizations, was established in 1868 at the University of Virginia. The fraternity is renowned globally. It strives to develop its members’ intelligence, integrity, and high moral character.
Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE)	Tau Kappa Epsilon has a rich history dating back over a decade. It is grounded in values of generosity and mutual respect. There are numerous chapters of this fraternity across different schools and universities, including Loyola University Chicago, Connecticut State University, and Texas Tech University.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ)	Sigma Alpha Epsilon was founded in 1856 at the University of Alabama, and it is one of the oldest and largest fraternities. It was the first Greek organization to incorporate a leadership education curriculum with on-campus activities. Since its inception, it has initiated over 300,000 members.
Sigma Phi Epsilon (ΣΦΕ)	Established in 1901 at Richmond College (now the University of Richmond,) Sigma Phi Epsilon is the largest fraternity in the United States. Its 12 founders established high standards for succeeding members. The fraternity is most recognized for its Education Foundation, which aims to provide scholarship money and combat the rising cost of college education.
Kappa Alpha (KA)	The Kappa Alpha order founded by John Hart in 1825 at Union College was intended to be a literary secret society of intellectuals who loved reading. Today, it’s still going strong. In particular, it emphasizes supporting undergraduate members while encouraging lifelong connections between alumni.
Sigma Chi (ΣΧ)	Sigma Chi was founded by seven college freshmen who wanted to create a fraternity that would improve their academic experience. It was founded in 1855 and today has about 260,000 members. This fraternity is also famous for its Sigma Chi Foundation, a nonprofit institution that offers financial support to the fraternity members.
Lambda Sigma Upsilon (ΛΣΥ)	In 1979, twenty Latinx undergraduates at Rutgers University established the Latinx Social Fellowship to advocate for minority students’ rights. Later renamed Lambda Sigma Upsilon, the fraternity now works towards promoting inclusivity and diversity on campus.

7 Best College Sororities

Chi Omega (ΧΩ)	Chi Omega is the largest sorority in the National Panhellenic Conference with over 345,000 members in 181 undergraduate chapters and 240 alumnae chapters. It was founded in 1895 and has initiated more than 355,000 members.
Kappa Alpha Theta (ΚΑΘ)	Kappa Alpha Theta was the first Greek sorority organized at Indiana Asbury College (now DePauw University.) This sorority continues to battle against sexism and promote inclusion. Kappa Alpha Theta offers new and seasoned sisters opportunities that are essential for their intellectual and personal growth.
Alpha Kappa Alpha (ΑΚΑ)	Alpha Kappa Alpha had its beginnings at Howard University. It was created in 1908 as a sorority that would foster camaraderie and unity among women students. Since its foundation, it has grown to become one of the most prominent sororities in the world, with about 300,000 members.
Alpha Chi Omega (ΑΧΩ)	Alpha Chi Omega was founded at DePauw University in Indiana in October 1885. Seven courageous college women established their own club with the support of the school’s dean, Professor James Hamilton Howe. Currently, Alpha Chi Omega is acknowledged as the tenth sorority in the US and the first to ever emerge from a music school.
Alpha Delta Pi (ΑΔΠ)	This sorority was founded in 1851 at Wesleyan Female College. Alpha Delta Pi is known as the first secret women’s organization. Under Eugenia T. Fitzgerald’s leadership, Alpha Delta Pi sought to foster women’s growth and personal development. Today, it still stays true to its roots.
Phi Mu (ΦΜ)	Phi Mu is the second-oldest sorority in the world that was founded in 1852 at Wesleyan College in Georgia. Because it’s so old, it’s referred to as “women’s fraternity,” as the term “sorority” didn’t exist back then. Since its establishment, Phi Mu has expanded to 180,000 members and currently has 137 active collegiate chapters. Additionally, they have a number of well-known alumni among their ranks, including former American marathon runner Gayle Barron, former National Bar Association president Evett Simmons, and former NASA astronaut Mary Ellen Webber.
Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA)	Zeta Tau Alpha was founded by Virgin State Female Normal School (now Longwood University) in October 1898. Its founders were nine young women who dreamed of creating a strong network of friends. This one is also known as a women’s fraternity because of its impressive age. Zeta Tau Alpha is also proud of its more than 270,000 initiated members, dispersed throughout 173 chapters.

Top 5 Black Fraternities & Sororities

Alpha Phi Alpha (ΑΦΑ)	Founded at Cornell University in New York on December 4th, 1906, Alpha Phi Alpha was the first social fraternity for African American students. Its fundamental objective is to fight against social, economic, educational, and political inequalities experienced by African Americans.
Kappa Alpha Psi (ΚΑΨ)	A college fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi was founded on January 5th, 1911, at Indiana University, Bloomington. Although members of African background often make up the majority of this fraternity, membership has never been limited on the basis of race, religion, or country of origin. Kappa Alpha Psi has 721 undergraduate and alum chapters in every state of the US and overseas. Overall, this fraternity has more than 160,000 members.
Omega Psi Phi (ΩΨΦ)	Three Howard University students along with their faculty advisor, Dr. Ernest Everett Just, created this fraternity on November 17th, 1911. Over 750 undergraduate and graduate chapters have been chartered since the organization’s establishment.
Delta Sigma Theta (ΔΣΘ)	Delta Sigma Theta members left their mark on history in March 1913 by participating in the Women’s Suffrage March in Washington, DC. To help and support people in underprivileged communities, Delta Sigma Theta was turned into a private nonprofit organization in 1930. The sorority has had more than 200,000 African American members since its foundation.
Zeta Phi Beta (ΖΦΒ)	Zeta Phi Beta Sorority was founded in 1920. Five Howard University students had the idea for a sorority that would advance social awareness, support the highest academic standards, and promote better connections among its members. They thought that the socializing and elitism of sororities obscured the true purpose of progressive organizations. It is the third-largest sorority, with a majority of African American members in the US.

5 Fraternities & Sororities with Philanthropy

The picture talks aboutTau Kappa Epsilon raising $250,000 for charity.

Alpha Gamma Rho (ΑΓΡ)	AGR has successfully raised more than a million dollars for various charities across the United States. Since AGR is a professional-social fraternity with agricultural roots, many organizations they sponsor also have ties to this industry. Examples include the annual Alpha Gamma Rhost-Off held by the Alpha Epsilon chapter of Louisiana State University and the annual BBQ B4 Books event held by the Eta chapter of Iowa State University.
Phi Gamma Delta (ΦΓΔ)	This organization collaborates with the Red Cross and the USO. Donations and sponsorships are obtained through activities like the Fiji Rivalry Run. Additionally, Phi Gamma Delta provides hundreds of man-hours by volunteering at functions like blood drives and USO No Dough Dinners.
Theta Chi (ΘΧ)	Theta Chi and the USO formed a collaboration in 2013. Each chapter is required to raise $1,000 through activities like GI Theta Chi. To see which chapter can raise the most, they have devised a competition between all chapters. The members of Theta Chi have already made enormous contributions. The National Bone Marrow Registry, The Starlight Children’s Foundation, reMIND, and numerous other organizations are supported by various Theta Chi chapters.
Delta Gamma (ΔΓ)	The women of Delta Gamma have selected Service for Sight as their national philanthropy organization. They earn money through yearly charity events, such as the DG Anchor Splash, which is their most attended event on all campuses. This swimming competition combines competitive races with synchronized routines.
Pi Beta Phi (ΠΒΦ)	As a part of their charitable endeavors, Pi Beta Phi supports literacy. Among their methods is fundraising through various activities like Dodge the Arrow, a dodgeball competition for First Book, hosted by Virginia Tech’s Virginia Zeta Chapter.

🌎 Should International Students Go Greek?

Here’s another curious aspect of fraternities and sororities: they are the best places for international students to make friends and quickly adapt to a new culture. If you’re an international student, pay particular attention to this section!

Making new acquaintances well be less stressful for international students who join fraternities or sororities. Your new “brothers” or “sisters” can assist you in adjusting to a new life in a different country and serve as your support network. Thanks to the frequent social activities, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to meet new people and build your identity around your found family.
In addition, it will be easier for international students to get a job abroad. By joining fraternities, they will build a network of professional contacts. The opportunities continue even after graduation. The fundamental trait of Greek organizations is that once you join, you become a brother or sister for life. Your buddies can assist in finding job opportunities and providing support during job interviews. Besides, many top employers value fraternities membership, and some of them are alums themselves!

So, if you want to make the most out of your college experience in the US, go ahead and join a fraternity! We recommend you to choose one that provides an inclusive and supportive environment for international students.

🎁 BONUS: Famous Members of Fraternities & Sororities

While you’re still thinking about joining a student organization, let us tell you about some of the famous and influential people who were once a part of Greek life. They are great examples of how joining a fraternity or sorority may boost your career prospects and change your life for the better:

👑 Meghan Markle	The famous actress and member of the Royal Family attended Northwestern University before the start of her career. During her time at the institution, Markle became a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma.
💅 Kourtney Kardashian	The iconic model and socialite Kourtney Kardashian studied commerce at the University of Arizona from 2000 to 2002. In addition to her academic pursuits, she was a member of Alpha Phi, dubbed “The Ivy League of Greek Life.” Other Kardashian sisters also attended various sororities.
🎼 Alicia Keys	The famous singer Alicia Keys joined Alpha Kappa Alpha in 2004 as an honorary member. Other well-known honorary members of AKA include Jada Pinkett-Smith, Brandy, Maya Angelou, and Ava DuVernay.
🎬 Lucy Liu	Lucy Liu is best known for her roles in Charlie’s Angels and Kill Bill. She also participated in Greek life as a student. Liu was a member of Chi Omega at the University of Michigan before pursuing her acting career.
👩‍⚖️ Ruth Bader Ginsburg	Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a world-famous attorney, is known to have been an Alpha Epsilon Phi member. She was a part of the organization’s Cornell University chapter.
✊🏿 Martin Luther King Jr.	Many people are unaware that Martin Luther King Jr. was a proud Alpha Phi Alpha alumnus. Here, he gained the leadership abilities that were later essential to his success in the Civil Rights movement.
😎 Matthew McConaughey	Before getting his big break in Hollywood, actor Matthew McConaughey attended the University of Texas at Austin. It is known that McConaughey participated in Delta Tau Delta while he was a student.
🎥 Steven Spielberg	Filmmaker and producer Steven Spielberg is also a Theta Chi alumnus at Norwich University in Vermont. While attending California State University Long Beach, Steven Spielberg joined Theta Chi. His hazing experience may have influenced some of his greatest movies.
🏀 Michael Jordan	The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Omega Psi Phi fraternity once had international basketball superstar Michael Jordan as its member.
🎞️ Brad Pitt	Famous actor Brad Pitt was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity even though he only spent two years at the University of Missouri.
🎤 Lionel Richie	Legendary musician Lionel Richie has received numerous awards, including four Grammys and one Golden Globe. Additionally, he is a proud member of the Divine Nine’s first national fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha. While attending Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University) in Alabama, Lionel Richie joined Alpha Phi Alpha.

Greek life is a great opportunity and lots of fun, so give it a try! Do you have any stories about the colorful life in a fraternity or sorority? Feel free to share them in the comments!