College applications, test scores and transcripts are some of the main concerns on seniors’ minds while enjoying their last year in high school. But there are other important necessities that have to be taken care of before that first day of class.

One of the main decisions to make when going into college is where students will take residence during the year. There are multiple places to choose from: scholarship halls, fraternities, sororities and, of course, the dorms.

Scholarship Halls

Living areas such as sororities and fraternities have the reputation of containing rich, spoiled college students, who don’t deserve to live in such an elegant place. Although that might be true of some, there are other places where students really do have to work hard to earn a place in that building. Some of those places are the scholarship halls.

When someone applies to a scholarship hall, there are two main components that determine acceptance, the University of Kansas Student Housing Department provides information on the application process. The first item is an essay. There are three different topics to choose from, and the student chooses one to write about. To be considered, students need a GPA of at least 3.2 and then be able to maintain a 2.6 GPA once they are living in the house.

One of the main differences between dorms and scholarship halls is that students have to do chores around the house each week. They get to put in a request at the beginning of each semester for what they would like to do, but there is no guarantee that’s what they’ll get.

“I wanted an easy chore, so I requested laundry,” KU freshmen Rachel Heeb said. “But instead I ended up with cooking, and I’ve never really cooked in my life. I have to cook a meal for 100 people tomorrow instead of 50; because it’s the day we eat with Krehbiel Hall.”

‘Schol halls’ have earned the reputation of being the more ‘scholarly’ places to live.

“I think it’s halfway between a dorm and a sorority,” Heeb said. “It’s a toned down version in terms of socialization. You don’t have to go through hazing like sororities, but you’re not limited to the few roommates like in the dorms”.

Rachel said she hasn’t felt any extra pressure from her peers to do well academically.

“I’m pretty much used to it. My parents always expected me to do my best and get good grades,” Heeb said.

Sororities and Fraternities

We have all heard the stereotypes. The wild parties and keggers, the size zero promiscuous barbies and the not-so-funny hazing. But outside of these whispers or occasional TV show dramas, most high school students don’t know much about college Greek life.

Despite its negative connotation, being a member of a sorority or fraternity can be one of the greatest experiences in college. Not does Greek life offer place to live, sophomore through senior years, they also offer community service projects and build friendships that could last past graduation.

To be member of Greek life in college, students need more than the “life is a party” attitude. In most universities, each house requires most members to reach and attain a certain GPA throughout college.

According to the Kansas University chapter of Kappa Sigma, those who are involved with Greek life have higher GPAs and are more likely to graduate college than those who are non-members.

“I think going Greek would be a lot less stressful than being in a scholarship hall but you are still pushing yourself,” Free State senior Courtney Huffman said.

Not only does Greek life help students find a sense of community, but it also encourages them to become involved in the community in and around campus. Sororities and fraternities are known for using their time to give back to the public. Whether that be creating a fundraiser for a sick child or volunteering to build a house for Habitat for Humanity.

Having opportunities like this are often the reason for the close friendships that are formed in the Greek system. Not only do these friendships last throughout college, but also can continue on throughout someone’s life.

“It’s a good way to be a part of something from the beginning,” Kansas University junior and Chi Omega member Claire McInerny said. “I came here wanting to meet new people and it was nice to automatically have a group that I knew and I could to go to if I needed anything.”

But not all sororities and fraternities are as inclusive and friendly as they seem to be. The frat boys and sorority girls stereotype still holds true for some universities. High school students worry that if they were to join, they would be seen as this type of person.

“I do not want to be seen as a typical frat boy and if I were to join I think people would see me as a partier,” Free State junior Adam Fales said.

This feeling is shared by many who are still on the fence about joining Greek life in college. McIerny gives a few last words of advice to high school students who might be considering it.

“If you are still unsure, you should try it. I have found some of my best friends here and have had great experiences that are going to carry with me past college,” McInery said.

Greek life is different in every house, college and state. Deciding which house to pledge or whether or not to pledge at all depends on which school a person goes to and what type of person they are.

Dorms

For some, the idea of living with a complete stranger can be intimidating. Having to share a very small space and dealing with each other’s cleaning and organization does not seem the ideal way to begin the collegiate life. But the experience of living in a dormitory can be rewarding.

Living in a dorm immediately gives a student a makeshift family. Not only does someone have a group of friends to go out to dinner with on a Saturday night, but a group of people to study with as well.

A standard residence hall is usually equipped with a laundry facility, game room, with a pool or Foosball table and a mail room. A down side to living in dorms is that many universities do not offer halls that are equipped with air conditioning.

The rooms are typically furnished with a standard oak desk and dresser as well as a twin sized bed. This may not seem like much, but most universities give students the freedom to decorate their rooms and sometimes even paint the walls. They also allow incoming students to bring a microwave, video games and other electronics.

Want to know more about student residency or would like to set up a tour of the residence halls at either KU, K-State or other local universities? Contact their student housing department or visit their websites.