What Greek Life Can Offer You

Leadership

The Greek community at The George Washington University prides itself on the numerous opportunities it provides students for leadership development, be it as an executive officer in individual chapters, an officer on Panhellenic, IFC, or MGC executive board, or a committee member or chair. Additionally, the Greek community encourages its members to become actively involved in other student organizations on campus and in the DC community at large.

Scholarship

Academics and scholarship are ideals upon which Greek organizations were founded, and the members of GW's Greek community strive for excellence across the board. In fact, we say in our rituals, creeds, and constitutions that we hold our members to a higher standard, and that we exist to support the goals and visions of colleges and universities. Fraternities and sororities promote that higher standard through a concentration on scholarship with study hours, test files, programs and workshops targeted at improving study skills and time management, resume writing and academic advising. Each fraternity and sorority has a minimum grade point average requirement in order for members to remain active. Fortunately, the minimum GPA requirement is frequently not a concern for GW Greeks, who are consistently at or above the all men's, all women's and overall student GPA.

Community Service / Philanthropy

GW Greeks pride themselves on their ability to give back to the University and the DC community. The opportunity to help, and the need for help, is endless in our Nation's capital. Greek chapters have the opportunity to serve through both community service (participating in an activity to directly aid others) and philanthropy (raising money for a charitable group). Most fraternities and sororities have a national philanthropy and a local philanthropy, for which they raise thousands of dollars a year. In an average year, the GW Greek community raises over $150,000 for charitable causes through events such as Greek Week, annual fashion shows, bowling and basketball tournaments, jail-a-thons, step shows, and more. Community service provides Greeks with opportunities for meaningful interaction with others in need, as well as the chance to learn, grow, and appreciate others. Locally, chapters participate in service events such as working at Miriam's Kitchen and other shelters, reading to the elderly, building houses for Habitat for Humanity, tutoring at-risk youth, cleaning up and restoring playgrounds, and numerous other activities which promote education through service learning.

Brotherhood / Sisterhood

Every fraternity and sorority is founded on similar ideals, including friendship, love, service, scholarship, and the betterment of the individual, organization, and community. The bond of brother/sisterhood is one rooted in shared values, respect, and friendship. The journey to brother/ sisterhood is unique to every individual, just as every person in the GW Greek system is a unique individual. The result, however, is the same for all - lifelong friendships with people who share our own beliefs and ideals in what is right, good, and true.

Social Opportunities

The GW Greek community provides the opportunity for students to experience not only brother/sisterhood, but many more activities and relationships which enhance the college experience. The chapter is a place where students can meet and become friends with other people - leaders from other student organizations, alumni/ae who have made the successful transition from college to the "real world", and members of other fraternities and sororities through intramurals, social events, joint service projects, programs, workshops and retreats. Greek life can help to make a very big city, and a very life changing experience such as college, seem not so big after all.