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Frequently Asked Questions

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What are Fraternities and Sororities?

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A Fraternity is an organization of men who share common interests, friendships, and shared values. While in college, a student has a chance to be part of many different student groups. A Fraternity can help give an international student an immediate support system to help navigate university bureaucracy and assimilate into both the college's culture and American society.

Fraternities also help men develop their leadership and networking skills, which are critical for succeeding in this global economy.

 

How can joining Pi Alpha Phi benefit students?

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Coming to college is one of the biggest life changes your student will experience. Joining Pi Alpha Phi can make that transition easier. Students gain an immediate support system. The fraternity can help the campus seem smaller. The Fraternity becomes a home away from home. Additionally, as part of Pi Alpha Phi, students have the opportunity to develop leadership, communication, and networking skills, which are critical for succeeding in this global economy.

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What type of activities does Pi Alpha Phi do?

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Each chapter of Pi Alpha Phi conducts its own events. These events include events activities such as social events, brotherhood retreats, cultural awareness festivals, study hours, philanthropy and community service events, to career development.

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Will joining Pi Alpha Phi affect my academics?

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Academic Excellence is one of Pi Alpha Phi's core founding principles. Each of our chapters has a minimum GPA requirement to stay in good standing. Additionally, brothers of the organization can provide mentor and tutoring, as well as study hours. Many of our members win academic scholarships.

 

What about Career Networking?

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Pi Alpha Phi has a strong career network across America and across the Pacific Rim. We are one of the few fraternities that can boast a truly international alumni base. Both our domestic and international students benefit from working and learning about each other's experiences and cultures, which they can apply in their chosen careers.

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Benefits for International Students

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Coming to college is a big transition. It is even bigger when coming from a different country. Pi Alpha Phi can make that transition easier. The Fraternity can give international students an instant support group to assist with adjusting to life on an American university campus.

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Diversity

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Pi Alpha Phi has a strong international student membership. Our students come not only from Asian countries and islands in the Pacific, but from countries as diverse as Russia, Mexico, Guatemala, and even Canada!

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Growth

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The increasingly diverse membership growth is a key benefit to join Pi Alpha Phi. By having a broad range of backgrounds and experiences, our members learn to exist and thrive in an increasingly multicultural world.

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For Parents:

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Fraternities provide an environment where:

 

  • the ideals of the organization's Ritual sare encouraged on a daily basis

  • personal health, well-being, and safety are encouraged and promoted

  • academic achievement of the individual and group is valued and rewarded

  • the fraternity is a quality enhancement to the undergraduate collegiate experience

 

 

What are the values of Pi Alpha Phi?

 

  • Academic Excellence

  • Asian Awareness

  • Brotherhood

  • Philanthropy

  • Leadership

 

 

How will Pi Alpha Phi enhance my son’s experience in University?

 

  • Shared bond amongst men of similar background

  • Small fraternity means more opportunities for entrepreneurialism

  • Easy-to-Gain Exposure

  • Leadership Development

  • Social Interaction and Development with other Organizations

  • Interaction with Older Brothers

  • Large number of successful alumni that can help your son in the future

 

 

I’ve heard some negative stereotypes about fraternities. How does Pi Alpha Phi address these?

 

  • Despite many of the stereotypes of fraternities, Pi Alpha Phi actually strives for academic excellence and partnership with the community.

  • Pi Alpha Phi is heavily interactive and supportive of each campus where a chapter resides

  • Chapters are expected to hold their members accountable. In this way, our members learn about personal and group expectations, discipline, and accountability. Additionally, if a chapter is unable to hold itself accountable, both the host university and the national leadership of Pi Alpha Phi have mechanisms to ensure proper behavior.

 

 

What is my role as a parent/guardian?

 

  • Take the time to learn more about the Fraternity and Sorority Community

  • Ask questions about what the specific chapter offers your student in order to make the best decision for him. Fraternities are different on every campus, so allow your student to choose the group with whom he feels most comfortable.

  • Keep an open mind. Even though you may or may not have been a member does not mean that it is or is not the right choice for your son.

  • Discuss financial obligations with your son. Determine who will pay for what and the limits those expenses may include. Joining a fraternity is a lifetime commitment, both personally and financially.

  • You may also make donations to help support the fraternity by contacting a member from your son's chapter

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Who can I contact for more information?

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  • See our Chapters link to find contacts for the school you are inquiring about

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