It is ‘rush’ time again for Greek organizations at Boston area universities and, as with past years, both fraternities and sororities are going all out in their attempts to attract new members.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology fraternities are putting on what are arguably the most lavish events in the Greater Boston area in an attempt to catch the attention of potential members. Topping the list is a rooftop pool party at one of the school’s fraternity houses, sailing at midnight on the Charles and a whitewater rafting trip.

Northeastern University’s sororities are taking a different, but not necessarily more low-key approach.

The school’s Hellenic organizations have made a party schedule for each day of they week where pledgees party for a certain amount of time, take a break and then party again for a given amount of time. School nights appear to bear no weight on the Northeastern sorority rush the parties are planned Monday through Thursday nights this week.

The price tag to attract and entertain potential pledgees doesn’t come cheap. MIT fraternities will spend an estimated $5,500 for inter-fraternity events, while almost $20,000 will be spent on publicity alone.

Despite the high cost of ‘rush,’ according to Josh Oulette of MIT’s Alpha Delta Phi, ‘rush’s’ financial investment pays off over a student’s duration with the fraternity.

The events at MIT are also partially funded by students’ tuition, as they also are at Northeastern.

‘[Northeastern] provides money for the Inter-Fraternity Council,’ Beta Gamma Epsilon member Kevin Black said. ‘A lot of trickle money comes down to us’ to plan events, he said.

Although ‘rush’ weeks annually dish out a week or more of fun for prospective fraternity or sorority members, MIT’s fraternities are also encouraging constructive activities study sessions with fraternity members have been scheduled, as well as walking tours of Boston designed to familiarize newcomers with the city.

Overall, the Greek life experience is a rewarding one, according to MIT Inter-Fraternity Council Secretary and Pi Lambda Phi member, John Huss. His parents also approve.

‘My parents love the fact that I’m in a frat they have seen how the mentorship of the older brothers has helped me become more outgoing and [I’ve gained] leadership and responsibility,’ he said.

MIT’s rush is wrapping up this week, while Northeastern’s begins Monday.