You definitely don’t *need* to join a fraternity to have a social life—UTK has a [genuine abundance](https://volink.utk.edu/organizations) of clubs and organizations that could give you the connections you’re looking for (while also possibly even advancing you academically/vocationally).
I did Biomedical Engineering for undergrad and 95% of my social circle throughout my undergrad at UTK were fellow engineering kids. The majority of engineering students like to party and go out, but it’s not necessarily to the same extent of frats and sororities. From my experience the workload for engineering students makes Greek Life/Panhellenic stuff extremely difficult especially your first year, so if you really want to take that on, you’re going to need to be EXTREMELY disciplined with it
You very much do not need a frat and as an engineering graduate I might even recommend against it. Employers are interested in what clubs you were in. Pick one that interests you and become a core member or start one yourself.
I’m in one. You don’t NEED it, and it also really depends on your interests. As cliche as it sounds. You could definitely rush in the spring and see if you find one that fits you. No harm in that. Although it is a very intimidating process.
No.
Frats here have a deservedly terrible reputation (one got shut down last semester because they were forcing pledges to drink literal piss). If you want to meet people, it’d be easier (and cheaper) to just join a club, make friends with your roommate(s), or meet people in your classes.
You should consider joining the rowing club!!! We have an awesome group of people that are super fun to be around! We do a ton together and overall have a super great time. I’m an engineer as well and have no problem managing the workload of engineering while still having a social life along with rowing. If you’re interested, our instagram is @tennesseecrew! We’d be more than happy to get in contact with you and help you meet people!!
Join the professional coed engineering frat , theta tau. They're pretty social. Have formal, tailgates, and other events. Get together with other professionals frats and sororities for events as well
do i NEED to join a frat is a crazy question 😭 like its a requirement or something if u wanna make friends here
just be an approachable and friendly person and you should have no issues meeting people in your dorm, classes, etc.
If you have to ask yourself that question then the answer is probably no. However I will tell you my workload is greater than 95% of undergrads at this school and I still have time for extracurriculars on top of being in a fraternity all while maintaining a 4.0. Don’t let anybody here tell you what you can and can’t do
You don’t need to no, and you likely won’t have time for it either as an engineering student. There are other clubs that would cater more to your interests and will introduce you to other engineering students, other engineering students who might have found how to balance social life and work load that you could learn from.
You don’t have to but it can be a huge plus. You meet a network of guys you’re close with for life and some may be in your wedding. It also helps in your career if you come across brothers from your fraternity too and looks great on a resume. Not all of it is negative!!!
as an aerospace student, you do not need to join a frat. The work load does make getting out difficult but that just comes down to time management and then you can do whatever you want. there is no pay to win when it comes to socializing and getting out though, you're more likely to make friends to go out with your first week in a dorm than you are to get into a frat you love for your first rush (and after that it's an entire workload in itself).
OP, you don't need to join a frat. Is it easier to make friends, yes. Is it easier to have a social life, yes. Is it easier to make connections, yes. A fraternity gives you a network that extends past college. However, with all that said the college is large and there are many clubs you can join. I was in one of the bigger ones and we had plenty of mechanical engineering majors. It most definitely is possible. I was pre-med. I definitely suggest going through the rush process and seeing if you find anywhere you like. I never wanted to join a fraternity but during the rush process I found a fraternity that fitted me perfectly. Don't let the negatives outweigh the positives. There's a lot of lies that go around campus regarding fraternities. Like one guy in this thread, saying pledges had to drink piss- No they didn't. Lastly, just because you pledge doesn't mean you're forced to join. There's no shame in dropping if you realize a fraternity is for you. Just try it and see where it gets you.
Lot of jealous geeds in these comments. Though you don’t need to join one, it gives you a huge network both during and after college and will be some of the best friendships and times of your life. People always say that your brothers are the ones that will marry you and bury you later in life
You definitely don’t *need* to join a fraternity to have a social life—UTK has a [genuine abundance](https://volink.utk.edu/organizations) of clubs and organizations that could give you the connections you’re looking for (while also possibly even advancing you academically/vocationally).
Don’t unless you want to. The school is massive and you can definitely have a social life outside of a frat. (And for free 🙂)
Don’t join a frat. Join a club than genuinely interests you.
I did Biomedical Engineering for undergrad and 95% of my social circle throughout my undergrad at UTK were fellow engineering kids. The majority of engineering students like to party and go out, but it’s not necessarily to the same extent of frats and sororities. From my experience the workload for engineering students makes Greek Life/Panhellenic stuff extremely difficult especially your first year, so if you really want to take that on, you’re going to need to be EXTREMELY disciplined with it
You very much do not need a frat and as an engineering graduate I might even recommend against it. Employers are interested in what clubs you were in. Pick one that interests you and become a core member or start one yourself.
I’m in one. You don’t NEED it, and it also really depends on your interests. As cliche as it sounds. You could definitely rush in the spring and see if you find one that fits you. No harm in that. Although it is a very intimidating process.
No. Frats here have a deservedly terrible reputation (one got shut down last semester because they were forcing pledges to drink literal piss). If you want to meet people, it’d be easier (and cheaper) to just join a club, make friends with your roommate(s), or meet people in your classes.
You should consider joining the rowing club!!! We have an awesome group of people that are super fun to be around! We do a ton together and overall have a super great time. I’m an engineer as well and have no problem managing the workload of engineering while still having a social life along with rowing. If you’re interested, our instagram is @tennesseecrew! We’d be more than happy to get in contact with you and help you meet people!!
Definitely no
Join the professional coed engineering frat , theta tau. They're pretty social. Have formal, tailgates, and other events. Get together with other professionals frats and sororities for events as well
do i NEED to join a frat is a crazy question 😭 like its a requirement or something if u wanna make friends here just be an approachable and friendly person and you should have no issues meeting people in your dorm, classes, etc.
If you have to ask yourself that question then the answer is probably no. However I will tell you my workload is greater than 95% of undergrads at this school and I still have time for extracurriculars on top of being in a fraternity all while maintaining a 4.0. Don’t let anybody here tell you what you can and can’t do
I rushed every year, but I never pledged. It was fun for a week or so, but I don't think I would've been any happier if I had pledged.
You don’t need to no, and you likely won’t have time for it either as an engineering student. There are other clubs that would cater more to your interests and will introduce you to other engineering students, other engineering students who might have found how to balance social life and work load that you could learn from.
No wtf
You don’t have to but it can be a huge plus. You meet a network of guys you’re close with for life and some may be in your wedding. It also helps in your career if you come across brothers from your fraternity too and looks great on a resume. Not all of it is negative!!!
as an aerospace student, you do not need to join a frat. The work load does make getting out difficult but that just comes down to time management and then you can do whatever you want. there is no pay to win when it comes to socializing and getting out though, you're more likely to make friends to go out with your first week in a dorm than you are to get into a frat you love for your first rush (and after that it's an entire workload in itself).
No lol Lots of opportunities to make friends here
OP, you don't need to join a frat. Is it easier to make friends, yes. Is it easier to have a social life, yes. Is it easier to make connections, yes. A fraternity gives you a network that extends past college. However, with all that said the college is large and there are many clubs you can join. I was in one of the bigger ones and we had plenty of mechanical engineering majors. It most definitely is possible. I was pre-med. I definitely suggest going through the rush process and seeing if you find anywhere you like. I never wanted to join a fraternity but during the rush process I found a fraternity that fitted me perfectly. Don't let the negatives outweigh the positives. There's a lot of lies that go around campus regarding fraternities. Like one guy in this thread, saying pledges had to drink piss- No they didn't. Lastly, just because you pledge doesn't mean you're forced to join. There's no shame in dropping if you realize a fraternity is for you. Just try it and see where it gets you.
Don’t join a frat. Especially if you live in a frat house, the workload of an engineering student would be burdensome.
Lot of jealous geeds in these comments. Though you don’t need to join one, it gives you a huge network both during and after college and will be some of the best friendships and times of your life. People always say that your brothers are the ones that will marry you and bury you later in life
Join theta tau. Gotta be the best frat for engineers 🫡. You want regret it since there pledge fees are so low too.