sororities on decline?

It’s definitely worth it. First, only 1-5 girls usually drop a sorority after formal rush, the other 95% of the girls do fine. If you find yourself wanting to drop a sorority you accept a bid from, it’s probably bc you didn’t really choose the right sorority DURING rush. If you “trust the system” you’ll be fine. You make so many friends out of it and have more things to do. There’s definitely more benefits to joining.

As someone who has been in Greek life for 3 years, I met almost all of my closest friends by joining a sorority. Most people you ask will say the same.

I'll give you the same advice everyone else would: don't join or not join a house based on their status/popularity/etc. Join where you feel at home and where you like the people the most. Greek life is about making friends- if you join a house because you want to be popular or don't want to be seen as a loser, you'll regret it. Those are the people that drop (though not that many people do, most end up happy where they are). You'll have a way better time in a "lower tier" house where you love the people than a more popular house you don't have the same connection with. Have an open mind and remember the point of greek life is to make good memories with people you connect with- that's how you'll know where to go.

Not every chapter COBs because of bad retention. Some chapters have more seniors graduate than others, maybe had some standards issues or engagement issues and asked women if they wanted to leave instead of paying dues. COB isn't a bad thing for any chapter to participate in.