Frat scene here at UCSC is a lot different than most places but you should ask around a lot before pledging. While many people do pledge and basically the frat becomes their social circle I know a lot who pledge, put up with bitch work for the whole quarter/semester and sooner or later realize they hate everyone and everything about the frat and less than a year later they're not involved with it in any way shape or form. Not to mention people who are well connected (small minority) can get into frat parties and shit regardless just because they're friends with a lot of the people in the frats. I'm not well connected AT ALL but I do know a few guys in a particular frat that is fairly lax about letting people into parties so I get some party action that way (its a Latino frat though and I look Latino so that helps me get through with no questions asked). At least ask people what kind of bitch work you've gotta do and what the frat is like after you get in and find one that suits you.
Also start drinking a lot because if you're a lightweight you'll be subject to cruel pranks when you pass out that often border on gayness lol.