It’s fall semester of your freshmen year of college. New location, new lifestyle,  and no high school pals by your side making the anxiety of finding new friends real.

So how much are you willing to pay for new friends?

Most college students’ first thought is to join Greek life as a way to meet people.  But their second though is rarely the cost of that choice.  Maybe it should be. Thousands of dollars are spent on social events, clothing, member dues, and a number of other costs.

According to Florida State University’s homepage for Greek Life, the cheapest chapter at the university is Alpha Phi – which has a first time fee of  $1741.00. This does not include “out of house” dues of $1131.39, nor does it include all of the social events a chapter may have.

“I would consider joining a fraternity at the college I’m attending if it wasn’t so expensive,” says Senior Sean Gluzberg.

Although the cost may be large, Greek life does have its benefits. “Nine million college students are members of a Greek organization, whether they join to make friends, to build their resumes, to go to parties, or to learn leadership skills” states a  USA Today article.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to the networking in Greek life. Sisters and brothers learn how to interact with others, and make connections for internships and jobs in the future, which is a plus of Greek life.

“I’d love to join Greek Life, but you always hear so many rumors about the hazing to join one. It’s disappointing that the hazing can be so bad because I feel there are so many possibilities being apart of a sorority” says senior Jessica Bruso.

Many news reports confirm that Jessica’s concerns are legitimate and that many of these “rumors” are not rumors, they are horrifying reality. According to Bustle.com a Rutgers student in 2010 rushing for a sorority had to be hospitalized because she was beaten with paddles.

In 2009 a student at the University of Tennessee was sent to the hospital after being “punched in the face while vinegar was squirted in her eyes and ice cold water was poured over her head. On another occasion, she claims eggs were smashed on her body while she was punched in the head and stomach, resulting in a concussion” states Bustle.com.

The expense, the risk of hazing, the endless possibilities resulting from life-long bonds forged in sororities and fraternities.  Many of us who are going away to college next year will have to consider it all as we make a decision about Greek life.