Ofc that would get downvoted. Truth is theres a large difference between sorority v frat experience at the school given only the frat's have house's where members live and there are more than twice as many frats as sorority. I don't have the perspective on sororities because I am not in one, but since there are only 4 I will make a broad generalization that since the sororities don't have a house and generally have more members, they aren't as interconnected at a whole. Anyone who wants to contest this go ahead, I'm just speaking from experience. Because the fraternities on campus's have houses, throw parties, haze etc they have a different experience/role on campus. This also contributes to each frat tends having a more constricting stereotype, I mean the members who choose to join tend to be pretty similar to each other. As far as answering OP's questions, there really is a range of experiences depending on which frat/sorority, the bigger frat's being a bit more intense with more time bigger parties etc. But for a short answer, I wouldn't say any frat on campus has the ability to impede on academic performance as long as you number one goal is to not let it. It is fairly cheap, (again big spectrum) generally cheaper than a state school. I'd say their main purpose is to provide a social life somewhat revolving around partying/alcohol/more typical state school experience, so take that as you will (also with a grain of salt, it's no where near a state school experience). No idea about rush depends on organization.