Is there Greek life at UC Berkeley?
I'm a current junior thinking about applying to UC Berkeley next year, and I'm really curious about their social life, specifically Greek life. I've looked at some of their website pages, but I was hoping to hear from students or recent applicants about what the Greek system is actually like there. Does it play a big role in campus life?
Also, are there options for people who want a smaller or more diverse Greek experience, or is it really just focused on the big social fraternities and sororities? I’d also love to know how hard it is to get involved, or if it feels inclusive or kind of exclusive.
Would appreciate any firsthand experiences or advice from people who have gone through recruitment or lived in a house. Trying to figure out if Greek life is something I should consider if I end up choosing Berkeley!
Also, are there options for people who want a smaller or more diverse Greek experience, or is it really just focused on the big social fraternities and sororities? I’d also love to know how hard it is to get involved, or if it feels inclusive or kind of exclusive.
Would appreciate any firsthand experiences or advice from people who have gone through recruitment or lived in a house. Trying to figure out if Greek life is something I should consider if I end up choosing Berkeley!
3 weeks ago
•
45 views
Kathy Jayanth
• 3 weeks ago
Advisor
UC Berkeley definitely has an active Greek life scene, but it tends to play a different role than at some universities where it dominates social life. There are over 60 fraternity and sorority chapters, with a mix of traditional social fraternities/sororities (like those affiliated with national organizations), as well as multicultural, academic, service, and professional Greek organizations.
The traditional Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters host a lot of social events and have their own houses south of campus, so if you’re looking for the classic big fraternity or sorority experience, you’ll certainly find it. However, Greek life includes smaller organizations too—like the Multicultural Greek Council and the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) chapters—which are often much more close-knit and focused on culture, service, or academic interests. Some students find their closest communities in these smaller groups.
Recruitment at Berkeley can be competitive, especially for the larger, more visible houses, but a lot of students find Greek life accessible if they put in the effort to learn about the chapters ahead of time. Panhellenic (sororities) run formal recruitment at the start of fall semester, but multicultural, professional, and service fraternities/sororities often use a less formal process. If you’re worried about inclusivity, many chapters—especially in the multicultural councils—put a real emphasis on diversity and building community, though experiences definitely vary from house to house.
For example, one student shared that joining a smaller, Latino/a interest fraternity helped them find a sense of belonging at such a large university, and they felt their contribution really mattered. On the other hand, some students who joined the bigger houses mentioned that it sometimes felt cliquey, but that making the effort to go to events and reach out made things easier.
Ultimately, Greek life at Berkeley is there if you want it, but it’s not the only way to have a social life. Many students are not involved in Greek life at all, and there are hundreds of other clubs and activities. Visiting during a student event or chatting with current members can give you a clearer idea if it fits what you want out of your college experience.
The traditional Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters host a lot of social events and have their own houses south of campus, so if you’re looking for the classic big fraternity or sorority experience, you’ll certainly find it. However, Greek life includes smaller organizations too—like the Multicultural Greek Council and the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) chapters—which are often much more close-knit and focused on culture, service, or academic interests. Some students find their closest communities in these smaller groups.
Recruitment at Berkeley can be competitive, especially for the larger, more visible houses, but a lot of students find Greek life accessible if they put in the effort to learn about the chapters ahead of time. Panhellenic (sororities) run formal recruitment at the start of fall semester, but multicultural, professional, and service fraternities/sororities often use a less formal process. If you’re worried about inclusivity, many chapters—especially in the multicultural councils—put a real emphasis on diversity and building community, though experiences definitely vary from house to house.
For example, one student shared that joining a smaller, Latino/a interest fraternity helped them find a sense of belonging at such a large university, and they felt their contribution really mattered. On the other hand, some students who joined the bigger houses mentioned that it sometimes felt cliquey, but that making the effort to go to events and reach out made things easier.
Ultimately, Greek life at Berkeley is there if you want it, but it’s not the only way to have a social life. Many students are not involved in Greek life at all, and there are hundreds of other clubs and activities. Visiting during a student event or chatting with current members can give you a clearer idea if it fits what you want out of your college experience.
Kathy Jayanth
Berkeley, CA
UC Berkeley | Economics & Slavic Studies
Experience
5 years