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I did the fraternity thing. I was both Treasurer and President of my house. I was voted top 10 Greek men on a campus that had 4000 fraternity/sorority members. I can honestly say that I wished I had not done it now.
Did it help my social life?
Peripherally it did on occasion as it gave me a circle of friends to go out with and meet girls in bars. Occasionally I would hook up with a girl for the evening. None of these lasted more than a week. What is funny is that I ended up marrying a sorority girl from a house that we had parties with frequently. She didn't like social scenes that much and so wouldn't hang out very long.
Did it help my academic life?
Absolutely not. Mandatory study halls that were nothing more than a social session when I could have been studying effectively at home. The house was always loud, and there was always something to do besides study. I even drank one afternoon and took a history test while completely drunk. I got an 87, so it wasn't too bad.
Did it give me long-lasting friendships?
I occasionally e-mail some of my old friends, but the connection is tenuous at best. I haven't physically seen any one of them in at least 3 years now. I would say no.
All-in-all the experience was overrated. They have their place. They can be a great introduction to new friends and social scenes in college. They aren't for everbody. You just have to know yourself to determine whether or not it would work for you.
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