Colleges with Fewer Fraternities

Hi all, I'm getting ready to apply for colleges soon and I'm a little overwhelmed by the Greek life presence at some schools. Any recommendations for universities where the fraternity scene isn't as dominant?

You're absolutely right, the presence of Greek life can significantly influence a school's social culture. Not all schools have a large fraternity or sorority presence, however, and it sounds like you're gravitating towards those!

Rice University in Houston, Texas, adopts a unique residential college system that de-emphasizes Greek life. Instead of residing in dorms or Greek houses, Rice students live in any one of 11 co-ed "colleges" throughout their four years making the social scene more cohesive and less reliant on fraternities and sororities.

Similarly, Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, uses a residential college system, much like Rice. This system leads to a close-knit community atmosphere and decreases the influence of Greek life, which only involves a small percentage of students.

Swathmore College, a liberal arts college in Pennsylvania, outright abolished its fraternities and sororities, as of 2019.

Amherst College in Massachusetts also doesn't have traditional Greek life. Instead, they have a system of social clubs that are open to all students and these tend to dominate the social scene.

Middlebury College out in Vermont does have Greek life, but they're local organizations rather than national fraternities or sororities, and only a small proportion of students are involved. The college's location in a rural setting also leads to a less typical social scene for a college campus, with many students taking advantage of the opportunities for outdoor activities.

Lastly, you would most likely enjoy the environment at Pitzer College in Claremont, California. While the other Claremont Colleges do have Greek organizations, Pitzer does not, and the college emphasizes the importance of living in a supportive and inclusive residential community.

Every college has a different atmosphere, and you're wise to seek one that resonates with you. As you explore these schools, don't hesitate to ask current students about their experiences to give yourself a more accurate picture.