Do fraternity connections matter?

Are you looking for a business or social fraternity?

As someone who was in both business and social at a top target, my social frat provided infinitely better connections. My social frat had some sick alum who went way harder for me in recruiting and getting me in than my business frat. Not to mention all the guys in the frat who had sick connections. Out of my PC alone (30 total), six had parents who were MDs/Partners in banks in various FO teams, two had parents who were PE partners in MF/UMM, and five had parents who held exec level positions/board of directors in F500s not to mention the rest of the frat. They were all happy to intro me to their parents who introduced me to other people. Given you are at a top school, would imagine your pledge class in either frat will have similar backgrounds/connections. 

Don’t matter at all - I made the mistake of rushing Frat A in this scenario and have subsequently regretted it. Rush Frat B

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Kids really trying to use finance placement to decide fraternities.  Would recommend rushing "Frat A."  Sounds like a hardo would kill B's vibe.  

No.

Sounds like you're deciding between a business/professional fraternity and a social fraternity. As someone who joined both (albeit at a DIII non-target college, they are still both  nationally recognized), either can help but it is never guaranteed. Just like how you will be an alumna of your college, they open up those frat networks to you, so it's moreso predicated around how you utilize these networks rather than expecting handouts.

Fraternities are (ideally) life-long bonds, and you don't even have to know someone beforehand. You rocking the same greek letters on your resume or doing the silly little outro signature to secretly identify your affiliation may greatly increase your chances of receiving a response from someone you're trying to network with. 

Now, with that being said (and yes I'm biased), kudos to you for thinking about these things, but no one likes a geed. Life in business frats are oftentimes separate from and don't come close to the ultimate social experience of the Greek Life system. You're about to embark on the best 4 (hopefully, if not less) years of your life and if you could only pick one, go for Frat B. You're way too young to be sweating about connections (or at least sacrificing your social life for it), and there's a fantastic chance you'll likely make connections that begin socially and turn professional with age at Frat B. Live it up in college. If you make mistakes, make them early. Assuming you've got a good head on your shoulders to keep up academically and not lose sight of your goals. 

My fraternity helped me a lot, though not from ‘connections.’ It helped me because I found a peer group that was all very driven and now all works in finance and consulting. Without being around those people to motivate me, it’s more likely I could have not ended up where I am today.

I liked the guys in my fraternity though - we just all turned out to be driven / successful, but that’s not the reason I joined. If you really don’t like the dudes or vibe in frat A then there’s just no point in joining. But make sure that’s actually the case, and you’re not assuming they’re less fun based on only a couple interactions or assuming that because they’re professionally successful they must be less fun to be around. All other things equal, you’ll have a better time if you join a fraternity of people who have similar goals and values to you. If you’re grinding for recruiting for example, it’s a lot more bearable to be around a peer group that values that and is going through the same thing. 

To be 100% transparent and honest. I don't think I had a single opportunity pan out from any of the alum in my fraternity. When I was looking for things the older alum/recent graduates weren't really the most involved on campus, academically, or professionally. I took this as an opportunity as I become older to stay involved in our campus organizations and leadership roles, set a great example as a student from my school in some more niche internship programs, and build out external relationships with a few of the organizations on campus I founded and be that fraternity/alum connection to help younger students.

If I'm being quite honest, I will 100% in my seat now consider students who are affiliated with the academic organizations I founded, as well as strong students from my fraternity stronger than I would consider a random student. I have had a few opportunities to help advertise a couple of internships or full-time positions, or help scout out students, and I 100% look at students who were involved in leadership in the two clubs I founded on campus, as well as from my fraternity before I will refer a random student who connected to me on LinkedIn or even a random student on campus. I know the type of people involved in all 3 organizations and bonus points to the guys in my fraternity for being social as well as academically focused. I refer students quite a bit now in the industry for a few niche roles and have no issue introducing people as I know they won't make me look bad.

Frat connections can be huge if you seek them out - they are no means necessary tho.

Essentially no one while I was active ended up in a similar job or industry as me (Keep in mind I was at a non-target).  I've ran into alums from different schools and only ever once meet a guy who was really into it or cared that much.  It really doesn't help as much as people play it off in the recruiting process.  Biggest thing I cam away with from being in a fraternity was it helped me mature and become more accountable.  Similar to what everyone else is saying, It adds people to your network but you will still have to have all your personal boxes in check and will have to put in the networking effort to sell yourself to people.  

Well u can't rush as a freshman at Dartmouth nor are there professional frats so u don't go there

You can make business connections for the rest of your life. But you only have 4 years of sending it in college with your brothers.

Always rush Frat B

how about you just grind for yourself and stop being so strategic about frat life. just join where you fit in. prolly Frat A

I was in your situation and went with group A and I live to regret it to this day. Go with the Fraternity with the people the most, and would want to friends with regardless of their professional standing. Just remember to have a balance with everything you do. 

Solve for fun / fit when choosing the fraternity and get the connections from your school’s finance club. Better to silo social and professional with the groups that make the most sense.

Join whatever is a better fit, I’m sure you’ll still have some type of network with Frat B. I joined a smaller frat and thought I would have a lack of network. Turned out there were a few top guys in MC/PE, that have turned into great mentors.

frat B dont be a geed