As someone who is living in her sorority house for the second year in a row, I can strongly say that it has its perks, but it also has some downsides. I lived in a dorm my freshman year, and after the shower and heater broke for parts of the year, I decided that Greek housing was a better alternative. Now that I have the ability to live in an apartment, but am still in my sorority house, I am seeing my housing arrangement in a different light. Whether you are a Freshman considering Greek housing for Sophomore year, or you are an upperclassmen wanting the experience of living with your sisters, I wanted to provide some different pros and cons depending on what stage of life you are at and what type of living style you are comfortable with.
Dorm Life vs. Greek Housing
If your two options are dorm life or Greek Housing, I would advise you to live in your sorority house. Depending on which house you belong to, it is equal to or cheaper than the cost of living in an SMU dorm, which means you save money. You also have a much nicer room and bathroom, which makes you feel like you are in an actual home, rather than a college campus. The food is much better than the dining hall, but you do not get meals on weekends. Not getting meals on the weekends is the biggest struggle I have had living in my house, because I have to walk or Uber to eat out, which can get expensive if you’re not careful with how you spend your money. Luckily, every girl in the house needs to find food on the weekends, so I can promise you will make great memories going out to grab food with other sisters and having late night TV marathons. Sure there can be drama, and yes the house can get loud, but if you are comfortable with noise and you don’t mind losing some sleep, then I can guarantee you will have a great time getting so much closer to the girls that live in the house with you.
Greek Housing vs. Apartment Life
If you are choosing between Greek Housing and living off campus in an apartment, there are multiple things to consider. You have to follow many more rules in a Greek house than in an apartment complex: No boys in your room, no lighting candles, no alcohol and no pets. If you have a boyfriend or you love to entertain, living in Greek housing can get frustrating because you are always having to invite yourself to other people’s rooms, houses and apartments. You also will have to hold off on getting that puppy you really wanted. On the flip side, Greek housing is cheaper than most apartments, and you don’t have to worry about cooking for yourself, because most of your meals are prepared for you. Plus, if you are studying abroad during one semester, it is easier to room in your Greek house than it is to find an apartment.
As someone who will have spent two full years in her sorority house, I can tell you that I have made unforgettable memories and have always had a group to go off campus with, but I should also mention how excited I am to be able to cook healthy meals for myself, to have a place to entertain, and to have a boy or a puppy in my room if I want to!