The Greek system at Cal tends to be very diverse. The stereotype is of the beer drinking jerk that trolls around looking for freshmen girls to deflower. Cal has plenty of houses that embrace the stereotype, but you can also find many other houses filled with people that would be considered atypical for Greek life. Some houses can be racially homogeneous while others are very diverse following Berkeley ratios. Some houses are party houses while others are very academically aware. Interestingly enough, the Greek system facilitates meeting other people both within and outside of that particular house, but many of these houses have grouped off and, in a sense, isolate themselves from others. In some cases, single Greek houses will become so introverted that many of its members will not know people outside of their house. Considering the recent issues with hazing and the resulting harm or death of pledges, Berkeley Greeks are very aware of what represents a danger to their pledges. Although pledging will not be easy, it definitely wont require life insurance. The Greek life is very fun, but it can also be very distracting and overwhelming. There are many obligations that come along with greek life that, when added to scholastic obligations, consume much more time than you have available. It is for that reason that you should be wise to choose a house that you will want to actually be a part of after your pledge semester. Don't join for the sake of joining. Join because you met some people that you want to know for the rest of your life.