The first time because I wanted to, and ended up getting kicked out. I wasn't wild enough for some of the members. I was dating a sorority girl at the time, and she insisted I try it again. I had kept my eyes open as to who acted how, and ended up pledging with the smallest fraternity on campus. They had a very strict no hazing policy. All I had to do was learn about the people in the chapter and the fraternity's history, and participate in as much as my class schedule allowed. Had a great time and ended up getting initiated. We had the highest GPA of any fraternity, couldn't win any games in intramural sports, but we all had a lot of fun. There were people in my chapter who didn't drink a drop of alcohol (I was one of them after a particularly bad experience from the other frat), and there wasn't any bullying or hazing. Just a great group of guys who I wouldn't have met in any of my classes. I'm still in contact with some of them 30 years later. But I wouldn't have ever joined any of the other frats on campus, and I wouldn't have joined any of the other chapters of my national fraternity that I encountered, either. Just got lucky with the group I joined, I suppose.
= new reply since forum marked as read