8/10/25

A Student's Guide to Greek Life at MIT: The Inside Scoop

Hey everyone! If you’re reading this, you’re probably thinking about what life at MIT is really like. Beyond the problem sets & late-night lab sessions, there’s a whole social side to this place that can make your time here truly unforgettable. One of the biggest parts of that for a lot of students is Greek life.
Honestly, when I first got to campus, I wasn't sure what to think about fraternities & sororities. The movies don't exactly paint the most accurate picture, you know? But it turns out, Greek life at MIT is its own unique thing. It's not the stereotypical scene you might be imagining. It's a HUGE part of the student experience for many, & it's woven into the fabric of MIT in a pretty cool way.
This guide is going to break it all down for you – the different types of organizations, how to join, what it costs, & what the whole living situation is like. I've done a TON of digging to get you the real story. So, let’s get into it.

The Lay of the Land: What is FSILG?

First things first, at MIT, you'll hear the term "FSILG" a lot. It stands for Fraternities, Sororities, & Independent Living Groups. This is the umbrella term for the whole Greek community here. It’s a pretty big deal on campus. In the fall of 2023, 43% of the guys & 23% of the women were in a fraternity or sorority, so you’re going to meet a lot of people who are part of this world.
The first fraternity at MIT, Chi Phi, actually started way back in 1873. So, this isn't some new trend; it's been a part of the MIT experience for almost as long as the Institute has been around.
One thing that makes MIT's Greek life different is that there isn't a dedicated "Greek Row" like you might see at other schools. Because MIT moved its campus to Cambridge in 1916, the chapter houses are scattered all over the place – in Boston's Back Bay, Cambridge, Brookline, & other nearby areas. This gives each house its own unique vibe & location.
The whole FSILG community is overseen by the Office of Fraternities, Sororities, & Independent Living Groups. If you ever have any official questions, they're the people to talk to. You can find them in person at W59-200 or give them a call at 617-253-4663.
The FSILG community is broken down into four main councils, each with its own focus & member organizations. Let's take a look at each one.

The Interfraternity Council (IFC): The Frat Scene

The IFC is the governing body for most of the fraternities at MIT. It represents 25 fraternities, which includes 20 all-male chapters & 5 gender-inclusive chapters. This is one of the oldest & largest Greek councils on campus.
The IFC community is incredibly diverse. You’ll find guys & members of all backgrounds & interests. A lot of them are leaders in other campus clubs & on sports teams. The whole point of the IFC is to provide a space for personal growth, leadership development, & of course, a strong sense of community.

Joining an IFC Fraternity: The Rush Process

If you're interested in joining an IFC fraternity, you'll go through a process called "rush," which is their term for recruitment. The main rush period happens at the very beginning of the fall semester, right before classes start.
It all kicks off with an event called the Kresge Kickoff. This is a big outdoor event where you can meet members from all 25 IFC chapters. It's a great, low-pressure way to get a feel for the different groups & see which ones you might want to learn more about.
After the kickoff, the individual chapters will start hosting their own recruitment events. These can be anything from casual open houses & barbecues to more adventurous outings like trips to Six Flags or Cape Cod. The goal is for you to get to know the brothers & for them to get to know you.
As the week goes on, some events might become invite-only. This usually means a chapter is seriously considering you for a bid, which is a formal invitation to join. Bids can officially be offered starting on the Friday of rush week, & you have until the following Wednesday to make your decision. This gives you some time to think everything over & make the right choice for you.
Don't worry about missing classes for rush events; they're not scheduled during academic hours.
There's also a spring recruitment period, which is a bit more informal. Not all chapters participate in spring rush, but it's another opportunity to join if you didn't in the fall.

The IFC Chapters

Here's a list of the fraternities that are part of the IFC at MIT. Each one has its own unique personality, so it's worth checking out a bunch of them to find the right fit.
  • Alpha Delta Phi Society
  • Beta Theta Pi
  • Chi Phi
  • Delta Kappa Epsilon
  • Delta Psi
  • Delta Tau Delta
  • Kappa Sigma
  • Lambda Chi Alpha (LCA)
  • Nu Delta
  • Phi Beta Epsilon
  • Phi Delta Theta
  • Phi Kappa Psi
  • Phi Kappa Sigma
  • Phi Kappa Theta
  • Phi Sigma Kappa
  • Pi Lambda Phi
  • Sigma Alpha Epsilon
  • Sigma Chi
  • Sigma Nu
  • Theta Chi
  • Theta Delta Chi
  • Theta Xi
  • Xi Fellowship
  • Zeta Beta Tau
  • Zeta Psi

The Panhellenic Association (Panhel): The Sorority Experience

The Panhellenic Association, or Panhel for short, is the governing body for MIT's six sororities. It's the largest women's+ community on campus, with over 550 members. Panhel is all about empowering its members & fostering a strong sense of sisterhood. The community is open to all women+, including cisgender & transgender women, & nonbinary/agender individuals are also welcome.
The core values of Panhel are sisterhood, scholarship, service, leadership, integrity, & growth. You'll find that the women in Panhel are involved in all sorts of things across campus, from research to the arts to student government.

Joining a Panhel Sorority: Recruitment

Similar to the IFC, Panhel has a primary recruitment period in the fall, right before classes begin. It's called Fully Structured Recruitment (FSR) & it's a four-day event where you'll get to meet women from all six sororities.
The process is designed to help you find the chapter where you feel the most at home. You'll have a chance to talk to members from each sorority & learn about their values, philanthropies, & what sisterhood means to them.
There's also something called Continuous Open Bidding (COB), which used to be known as Continuous Open Recruitment (COR). This is a more informal recruitment process that happens throughout the year. Not all chapters participate in COB; it's only for those that are not at their full membership capacity.
To sign up for recruitment, you'll need to register through the Panhel website. They usually have a link on their site that will take you to a platform called CampusDirector.

The Panhel Sororities

MIT has six amazing sororities, each with its own unique identity & traditions. Here they are:
  • Alpha Chi Omega
  • Alpha Phi
  • Delta Phi Epsilon
  • Kappa Alpha Theta
  • Pi Beta Phi
  • Sigma Kappa

The Multicultural Greek Council (MGC): A Focus on Culture & Identity

The Multicultural Greek Council, or MGC, is home to six culturally-based fraternities & sororities at MIT. These organizations are a little different from the IFC & Panhel chapters in that they are non-residential & often have members from other colleges in the Boston area.
The MGC is made up of three historically Black fraternities, two historically Black sororities, & one historically Latina sorority. These chapters are all about celebrating cultural heritage & providing a strong support system for their members.

Joining an MGC Organization: The Intake Process

The process for joining an MGC chapter is called "intake." Unlike the big, structured recruitment events of the IFC & Panhel, intake is a much more personal & individualized process. It can happen at any time during the academic year & usually takes about six weeks.
If you're interested in joining an MGC organization, the first step is to do your research. Each chapter has its own requirements, so it's important to learn about the ones you're interested in. You can usually find information on their websites or by attending their informational events.
MGC chapters typically host a series of recruitment events at the beginning of each semester. These events can cover a wide range of topics, from social gatherings to educational workshops. Attending these is a great way to get to know the members & learn more about the organization.
There's also an interest form you can fill out to get started. This will let the chapters know you're interested & they can reach out to you with more information.

The MGC Chapters

Here are the fraternities & sororities that make up the MGC at MIT:
  • Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
  • Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
  • Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
  • Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
  • Omega Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
  • Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

The Living Group Council (LGC)

While not technically part of the Greek-letter system, the Living Group Council (LGC) is the fourth council under the FSILG umbrella. It represents five independent living groups that operate as cooperatives. Four of these are co-ed, & one is a women-only community. They offer a similar close-knit community experience to the fraternities & sororities.

The Cost of Greek Life: What to Expect

Okay, let's talk about money. Joining a fraternity or sorority is a financial commitment, so it's important to know what you're getting into. The costs can vary a lot from chapter to chapter, but here's a general breakdown of what you can expect.

IFC Costs

For the IFC fraternities, the costs are usually broken down into a few categories:
  • First-Year Fees: Some chapters have a one-time fee for new members, which is typically around $500. This covers things like rush activities, social events, & retreats.
  • In-House Fees: If you decide to live in the fraternity house (which you can do after your first year), you'll pay an in-house fee. This is usually around $5,900 per semester & covers your rent, utilities, food, social events, & national dues. The good news is that this is often cheaper than living in the dorms.
  • Out-of-House Fees: If you're a member but don't live in the house, you'll pay a smaller fee, which is typically around $1,000 per semester. This covers your national dues, insurance, & social events.
It's also worth noting that you can use your financial aid to help cover the costs of living in a fraternity house.

Panhel Costs

For the Panhel sororities, the costs are also paid on a semesterly basis. Here's an example from Alpha Chi Omega:
  • New Member Dues: For your first semester, the dues are around $417.
  • Active Member Dues: After your first semester, the dues are about $470 per semester.
Each sorority has its own dues structure, so the costs will vary. Panhel usually releases a financial booklet during recruitment that breaks down the costs for each chapter. Many chapters also offer scholarships & payment plans to help with the costs.

MGC Costs

The MGC chapters that are part of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (the historically Black Greek letter organizations) don't publicly share their financial information. However, the average intake fee is around $850, & the average active member dues are about $200 per semester. For the other MGC organizations, the new member fees can range from $75 to $360, & active member dues are in a similar range.

The Housing Situation: Where You'll Live

One of the biggest perks of being in a fraternity or sorority at MIT is the housing. Many of the chapters have their own houses, which are a central part of the member experience. First-year students are not allowed to live in FSILG housing, but after that, it's a popular option for many members.

Fraternity Houses

Most of the IFC fraternities have their own houses. These are often beautiful old brownstones located in Boston's Back Bay or Kenmore neighborhoods, or in Cambridge. Living in the house is a great way to bond with your brothers & it's often more affordable than living on campus.
Many of these houses have some pretty amazing amenities, like industrial kitchens, game rooms, gyms, & even roof decks with incredible views of the city.
If you're looking for a place to live, especially over the summer, many of the fraternity houses rent out rooms. It can be a great, affordable option for summer housing in Boston.
And for those moments when you're driving to visit a chapter house in a busy Boston neighborhood, finding a parking spot can be a real headache. That's where a service like Prked can come in handy. It connects you with people who are renting out their private driveways & garages for parking. It’s a pretty smart way to find a convenient & affordable spot, especially in areas where parking is a nightmare.

Sorority Houses

Six of the ten sororities at MIT have residential houses. These are also often beautiful brownstones in the Back Bay. The sorority houses are a central hub for the chapters, even for the members who don't live there. They're a place for meetings, social events, & just hanging out with your sisters.
Here's a quick look at a couple of the sorority houses:
  • Alpha Phi: Known as the "Phi Hive," this house in the Back Bay can house up to 60 members. It has 5 floors, with a mix of singles, doubles, triples, & quads.
  • Alpha Chi Omega: "The Ohm," also in the Back Bay, is home to 25 members. It has 4 floors with a variety of room types.
For those sororities that don't have a dedicated house, they often have a designated space on campus where they can hold meetings & events.
As you can imagine, living in a house with a lot of people means you accumulate a lot of stuff. If you find yourself running out of space, especially during a move or over the summer, you might want to look into storage options. Prked isn't just for parking; it also helps you find affordable storage space. You can rent someone's garage, attic, or even a closet to store your extra belongings. It's a great way to find a convenient & budget-friendly storage solution.

Is Greek Life Right for You?

So, there you have it – a deep dive into the world of Greek life at MIT. It's a lot to take in, I know. But the most important thing to remember is that there's no one-size-fits-all experience. Each chapter has its own unique culture, so the best way to figure out if it's right for you is to go out & meet the people.
Go to the Kresge Kickoff, attend the recruitment events, & just talk to as many people as you can. Be yourself, ask questions, & keep an open mind. You might be surprised at what you find.
Whether you decide to join a fraternity or sorority or not, the process of exploring your options is a great way to meet new people & get a better sense of the MIT community.
I hope this was helpful! Let me know what you think.
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