“Greek Life” is a phrase that almost every student in America has heard of, with fraternities and sororities like Sigma Chi, Alpha Phi Theta, and Delta Gamma existing at every college and university. However, one fraternity rapidly increasing in popularity: Carnegie Vanguard High School’s very own Mu Alpha Theta.
Mu Alpha Theta is one of the most prestigious fraternities, with over 100,000 members in over 2,200 chapters across the world. One of the main reasons why Mu Alpha Theta is rising in popularity at CVHS is its emphasis on mathematics. Who doesn’t love math? Hundreds of students are submitting applications to be inducted into Mu Alpha Theta, despite the 3.199 percent acceptance rate (0.001 percent less than Harvard University’s). One of the main questions on the application is to describe your favorite math topic and why you like it. If you want the best chances of getting into Mu Alpha Theta, you should probably enroll in Mrs. Chen’s AP Calculus AB, BC, or post-calculus.
“To get into Mu Alpha Theta, I wrote about my love for trigonometric identities. When I was first introduced to the topic in Pre-Calculus AB, I was initially confused. With trigonometric identities, I am constantly challenged to see the equation from all sides and to find different routes to solve it, whether it be the easy or the hard route. Being in [CVHS’] Mu Alpha Theta has improved my love for math. Plus, my frat bros love solving problems during lunch,” said Bradley Chad, third-year Mu Alpha Theta fratter.
As part of the initiation, pledges of Mu Alpha Theta are required to take the AMC 12 and achieve a score of 100 or more. If they fail, they are forced to participate in the “Derivative Dash,” a hazing event in which they solve 100 Calculus problems while running one hundred meters. The Derivative Dash is one of Mu Alpha Theta’s most infamous events, as it combines the mind and body.
“Well, it was a mix of adrenaline and sheer panic, to be honest. As soon as the whistle blew, we were off, sprinting like madmen while trying to solve derivatives in our heads. I continuously repeated in my head, if you’re sexy, you have a sexy tan, and if you’re tan you’re sexy sexy,” said Chad.
Every Thursday, Mu Alpha Theta hosts frat parties during the first half of lunch in Mr. Barnes’ room, where students bro-fess their love for calculus while chugging energy drinks, trading calculus jokes, tutoring peers, and solving math problems. One requirement to attend the Mu Alpha Theta parties is to bring your calculator and pencils.
“Where else can you find a party where you can bond over integrals and derivatives? It’s like, a radical experience. One of my favorite jokes I’ve heard is: ‘Why is six afraid of seven? Because seven, eight nine.’”, said Chad.
However, Mu Alpha Theta isn’t the only frat on campus. Over in the history department, frat Phi Alpha Theta attempts to measure up with their own set of pledges and parties.
This results in an annual “Brain Olympics” (BO) between the two fraternities—a competition of real athleticism.
“Most think BO is like a multiple choice test or free response, but really it’s a time to show our real capabilities in physical fitness. Every year we compete in sports like trashcan basketball and paper football to see who’s a beast in the classroom and the court”, said Chad.
Chad was the BO MVP last year, leading the Mu Alpha Theta in baskets made.
“It was really easy when you think about it, all I did was pull out my TI-84 and calculate the hypotenuse of the angle formed by the trajectory of my shot and the distance from the hoop, factoring in the gravitational pull of the Earth, the rotation of the Earth on its axis, and boom basket made,” said Chad.
Mu Alpha Theta embodyies the epitome of Carnegie athleticism as the largest frat on campus. With parties that rival MIT’s and a selection process that trumps Harvard’s, it’s hard to see why one wouldn’t want to join.
