The University of Alabama Top Questions

The students at the University of Alabama are mainly stereotyped as either Fraternity/ Sorority kids or GDI (non-greek) kids. Although I am not fond of these terms used to describe the students, this is basically how the student community really is. The good thing about our campus is that there is a lot to offer to anyone whether you are in the greek system or not.

Before attending the University of Alabama I got the idea that the student population would be full of southern gentlemen and belles. Everyone is very polite and very welcoming. In my opinion there is a stereotype that the University of Alabama is very sorority and fraternity oriented. While this is true and the Greek community is a large part of the campus, more than half the population is not Greek. However, I don't think that the students involved in the Greek community are stereotypical "frat guys and sorority girls"; everyone is polite and accepting. There is definitely a group for everyone. If Greek life is your thing, there is definitely that. There are also plenty of sports teams, clubs, activities, and different groups to join.

We are known as a party school, which it can be if you make it that but for the rest of us it is pretty difficult. Most of the ones that party almost every night are the ones that can't finish in four years.

I am Greek, and I love it. It was the right decision for me and it has made all the difference in my college experience. Going Greek isnt right for everyone, some people enjoy making friends on their own. Some dont have the time to devote to an active Greek life. Being Greek doesnt make you king of the school, it makes you a person with such a strong bond to your sisters and your campus that you cant help but want to be involved on campus. Some people find that bond without Greek life but I cant imagine my life any different without my sisters.

The University of Alabama does have a very large greek system with more sororities and fraternities constantly being built. Although there are many frat kids amongst the student population at the University there are also many other things going on that people who do not decide to "go greek" can get involved in.

A few of the stereotypes that I have heard about Alabama students include: 'It is a big party school! They go out every night!' or 'The school is run by the Greek system and unless you join a fraternity or sorority there is no way to get involved.' Neither of these statements is completely true. Yes, there are students at this University who enjoy going out to 'have a good time,' but that does not sum up every student on campus. There are nearly 33,000 students on campus. Not all 33,000 drink and party! There are plenty of clubs, intramural teams, leadership positions, and places to hangout that do not involve drinking and partying. Theses numerous ways to get involve also show that you do not have to join a fraternity or sorority to become involved. Less than one third of the students on campus are Greek. Therefore, most of the student body is NOT Greek. If you do not want to join a fraternity or sorority there are over 20,000 students in your same position that are looking to meet people and find other ways to get involved.

Most people believe that Alabama is a predominantly Greek school. This is somewhat accurate. Here at the University, there are 56 fraternities and sororities on campus. Alabama is ranked #3 in the top 10 schools with the biggest Greek life with more than 5,000 members. Though this may seem like a lot, only 27{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the University students are Greek.

The stereotype is that Alabama is a party school. Not true at all! Sure we have parties, but what college doesn't. The students here at Alabama are focused and here to get and education first and foremost. Everything else comes second to graduating in four years with a degree.

Many people who live in the state of Alabama choose to go to Auburn University instead of The University of Alabama because Alabama is known as a party school. We apparently have some of the wildest, best parties in the country! We've been rated in the top ten party schools several years in a row. Unfortunately, this stereotype tends to hold true with our Greek student body. Most people who are affiliated with a Greek organization spend a significant amount of their time drinking beer, hunch punch, and spreading sexually transmitted diseases. However, there are so many other things to offer at the Capstone! There's an extensive honors program, including international honors and the opportunity to study abroad. We have an incredible football program, so there's entertainment every Saturday in the fall semester. We also have plenty of associations for people interested in art, music, rock-climbing, rowing, and even things like helping homeless animals.

Due to the unfortunate location of the University of Alabama... in Alabama, we already receive the stereotype of being sibling-marrying hicks, but add in a very active football community, and you get sibling-marrying, loud, rowdy, overly-emotional, drunken hicks. The guys all wear red polo shirts and the girls are decked out in houndstooth. The alternative side to that is the elitist nature of the Greek society (which is elitist no matter where you go, despite how much they might pretend otherwise). So when you fuse those two elements together, you get poised and proper rednecks who think they're better than anyone else because they get louder and drunker than anyone else on Saturday nights.