1. You don’t want to make the best friends you’ve ever had.
Joining a sorority has given me over 200 amazing women that are not only my friends, but my sisters. I know that these women would be there for me in any situation. A sister is just a text or phone call away, even if it’s just for lunch on the fratio or someone to walk to class with.
2. You don’t want to meet your future bridesmaids.
I’ve always had an idea of who my bridesmaids would be — my biological sisters of course! But, my sorority sisters will play a huge role in my wedding. In fact, it’s going to be hard to limit how many can stand up at the altar with me because I know each one of them would plan an amazing bachelorette party and look gorgeous in my wedding photos. Not to mention, I can’t wait to cry my eyes out while my sisters to sing "Shades" at the end of the night (shout out to my Chi O’s).
3. You don’t want to become a leader in an organization or on campus.
Greeks are natural leaders. We lead the school in GPA, philanthropic endeavors and school spirit. The Greek section at football games was always packed (thanks ASU for taking this away), student body government is filled with Greeks, and we take over Homecoming. Not to mention, each organization has an exec board. In high school, I never would have guessed that I would be on the exec board of my future sorority, but here I am leading an organization, and it’s pretty awesome.
4. You don’t want to associate with the brightest, most capable women on campus
Being in a sorority holds you to a higher standard. We support each other and encourage each other to do the best and be the best, this includes school. We study together and create events surrounding finals week to encourage good study habits. The all-sorority GPA at ASU continues to be above the all-women’s GPA each year.
5. You don’t want to have the time of your life.
From date parties to socials, from philanthropies to sisterhoods, sorority life will keep you busy. Your calendar will be booked, but you will be excited to go to the events. You’ll have the time of your life raising money by smashing watermelons or dancing the night away at spring formal. And you will always cherish the times that you drove to Sonic after chapter meeting or stayed in to watch movies at Adelphi with your sisters. Whatever we're doing, we're having a good time.
6. You don’t want to help those in need.
Greek life is all about philanthropies. You’ll raise money as a chapter for your own philo, but you will also attend events benefitting other philanthropies hosted by other chapters. Philanthropies are the best; you’re raising money and having fun! Not to mention, according ASU Fraternity and Sorority Life, in 2014 ASU Greek’s completed 59,175 hours of community service, raised $343,392 for charitable organizations, and during Greek Sing alone, raised almost $60,000, donated 4,500 pounds of canned food and 1,300 books. We come together as a community to help the community.
7. You don’t want to be inspired.
As part of the largest sorority in the country, I know that almost wherever I go I will find a sister. Not only does that allow for networking, but also for inspiration. I am inspired every single day by my sisters around the nation. Some are famous actresses, some coaches, some business women, some teachers and some chapter advisers. I look up to these women. They have each accomplished something and I strive to be like them.
8. You don’t want a home away from home.
Going to college is great, but we all get homesick at some point. We miss our friends from high school, our families and our comfy beds. Being in a sorority gives you that home away from home. You have the ability to walk into the chapter room at almost any time and be greeted by someone. If you need a hug, you will get that hug. If you’re sick, someone will bring you soup. If you need a comfy bed, someone will share. If you need your mom, your big sis will come running.
9. You don’t want the best college memories.
Let’s face it: we’re sorority girls, we take pictures, and we Instagram those pictures. One day those pictures and the memories that they hold will be the only thing left from our college days (I mean besides your degree, of course). We will fill your scrapbooks and photo albums with pictures galore, and you will be happy one day when you can show your kids why your college years were your best.
10. You don’t want to be a part of something that is bigger than yourself, something that women around the country helped to build and grow, something with rich history and secret rituals, something that you can’t explain to other people, because they won’t understand.
I know it’s cheesy, but, “from the outside looking in, you can never understand it. From the inside looking out, you can never explain it.” It’s true. I didn’t even rush until I was a sophomore. I went through my freshman year without a house, and I was fine. I had fun and enjoyed my year. But once I joined a sorority, it all changed. I was finally a part of something. Things that were once important to me weren't important anymore. I learned our history and about our founders. I learned our ritual, and I live that ritual every day. I am a part of something that is bigger than just me. My sorority is 120 years old, and the ritual has remained the same, that’s amazing to me. It’s crazy to think of all the women who have shared in the same experience as me, but at another time or place. We are sisters even though we haven’t met. How cool is that? We are more than the cheesy quotes, the fake laughing pictures, the numerous t-shirts — we are a community.
Many other sorority women and I will tell you, “Going Greek was the best decision of my life,” and really we aren’t lying to you. We’ve created friendships and bonds that will last a lifetime. In high school, I was shy, quiet and nervous to raise my hand in class or try out for the solo in choir. But now, I am on the executive board for my sorority and speak in chapter meetings each week, I sang a solo in front of the entire Greek community at Greek Sing, I’ve presented our philanthropy to fraternities, I have made countless friends (both sisters and fellow Greeks), and I have a confidence which I lacked before rushing. My sisters empower me to not only be better, but to strive to be the best person that I can possibly be. So, yes, being in a sorority has changed me, but I have been changed for good.
So, if you don’t want all these things, then don’t rush a sorority. You can still have fun in college without going Greek, I know I did it for a year. Just know that nothing will compare to that day when you get your bid card and run to your new home, nothing will compare to the day you get your big sis, and nothing will compare to the day you get initiated. Nothing will compare to going Greek.
