Harvard University
- Greek Life

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Harvard University - Greek Life - Greek Life - College ProwlerCollege Prowler2.31

Greek Life

Quick Stats

Undergrad Men in Fraternities 1%
Undergrad Women in Sororities 1%
Number of Fraternities 4
Number of Sororities 3

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

Enamored of the ridiculous antics of the frat boys from Animal House? If so, then Harvard probably is not the place for you. Fraternities and sororities are not officially recognized on campus, though in recent years, they have increased their presence as unofficial organizations. Without houses, these organizations do not have the ability to throw the parties one expects of a healthy Greek system, although they occasionally rent out Boston clubs or take over dorm rooms to throw enormous bashes.

In place of a Greek system, Harvard has the controversial institution known as the “final club.” These clubs are often criticized as the remnants of the “Old Boys” network of Harvard days of yore. They selectively offer membership after a student’s freshman year and serve an important role in an otherwise lean on-campus social scene.

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Harvard Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Greek Life at Harvard University

californianative

History '12

1.9
C-

Barely Exists

There are 3 sororities and 3 fraternities on campus. None of them have residential houses and one fraternity is the only Greek organization with property in the square. Many of the frats and sororities rent spaces in the square for meetings that barely hold all of the members. They are a good outlet for making new friends and for parties and mixers, however final clubs dominate the social scene more than frats/sororities.

May 15, 2012

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Greek Life at Harvard University

cpeglenn

Anthropology and Archaeology '11

2.7
C+

No Greek, All Elite

There isn't a huge greek life scene, but the social events are dominated by Final Clubs, which throw similar parties involving a lot of drinking and generally expected debauchery!

Apr 03, 2012

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Greek Life at Harvard University

zoecde

English '14

2.3
C

Finals Clubs

Technically, Greek life is limited to a few off-campus sororities that don't really have a presence in the social scene. However, the Finals Clubs essentially take the place of Greek life. They're pretentious, exclusive (often likened to "good old boys' clubs"), and much-criticized by the feminist groups (they only admit men.) Of course, freshman girls are encouraged to come to parties. I know people who do go to their parties every weekend, but I'd say the majority of the Harvard community doesn't.

Oct 14, 2010

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User rating for Harvard University - Greek Life is 2.3 out of 5 based on 12 user reviews.

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

What is Greek life’s role in the campus social scene?

What is the general attitude of non-Greeks toward Greeks?

What kind of housing is available for Greek students?

How difficult is it to get into a fraternity or sorority?

Facts

Fraternities
  • Alpha Epsilon Pi
  • Delta Upsilon
  • Pi Kappa Alpha
  • Sigma Chi
Sororities
  • Delta Gamma
  • Kappa Alpha Theta
  • Kappa Kappa Alpha
Other Greek Organizations Panhellenic Council
Did You Know?
  • Fraternities and sororities are not officially recognized on campus, although in recent years, Greek life has been unofficially gaining a stronger presence.
  • As an alternative, Harvard offers final clubs. These are also unofficial (in that they're owned independently, by alumni organizations). The final clubs include: AD, Delphic, Fly, Fox, Owl, Phoenix, Porcellian, and Spee. Each of these clubs is exclusively male.

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Most Recent Student Author View all

Name
Dominic Hood
Hometown
New Orleans, La.
Major
Psychology

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