When I left to go to college, I never thought I would join a sorority. I thought I was very much the anti-sorority girl; I didn't like partying all the time, I worked hard in school, and I was not into all the pink frilly stuff that I thought came along with sororities. Most colleges rush in the fall (rushing is basically when you spend an extremely long week talking to hundreds of girls about the same thing and attempt to make yourself sound like you fit in their sorority), but at my University we do spring rushing, right at the start of the second semester. Rushing in the spring made it more comfortable for me because I'd already been at school for a semester, established some friends and knew how committed I had to be to school and working.

I was so against rushing. I thought all sorts of things about sororities, and had made myself think that being in a sorority would never work for me because I just wasn't a "sorority girl." A friend convinced me to rush because she thought I might maybe like being in a sorority, and I honestly was very negative going into the whole experience. After the first day of talking to women ALL DAY, I never wanted to speak again. However, by the time we got our bids from the sorority we were accepted into, I was so excited to be a Kappa Alpha Theta.

After joining the sorority, I immediately realized that all of the stereotypes I'd expected to be true weren't, but I'd like to share a few in particular that I was really wrong about, and I hope I can change your perception of sororities too!

1. "Sorority girls don't care about grades/they're stupid."

This couldn't be further from the truth. To even be in a sorority, you have to maintain a GPA much higher than any sports team and most clubs. We have mandated study hours that we have to attend, we are assigned subject tutors within the sorority, and we have a whole house of girls always willing to help with homework. In Kappa Alpha Theta, in particular, one of our pillars is intellectual curiosity. Within our sorority, we consistently inspire our women to be the best that they can be in every aspect of life, but in particular, in school.

2. "Sororities are against feminism/they are sexist organizations."

Umm heck no!! Since joining Theta, I have never felt more connected to so many strong, amazing, extremely empowered women. We are called sorority "sisters" for a reason; we are always there for each other, encouraging each other at sporting events, helping each other with homework, and reminding each other to be strong and courageous women every day.

I will admit, sorority girls do attend parties.... But so does everyone else in college!!! On the weekends we do go out and have a good time with our sisters and our friends, but that doesn't mean we're out every night getting wasted or being irresponsible about it. Every sorority house on our campus is a "dry house" to promote the idea of not drinking or doing drugs, and we take it very seriously if any sister gets in trouble with drugs or alcohol. We put a lot of emphasis on so many other things at school that partying is not a top priority by any means.

4. "When they pay to be in the sorority, they're paying for their friends."

This stereotype in particular really bugs me. Yes, we do pay a fair amount of money to be in a sorority, I will not deny that. However, what our money goes towards is DEFINITELY not to pay for friends. In a sorority, we get to do such cool stuff all the time! We go to the movies, sporting events, go-kart racing, and all sorts of other fun things that besides paying dues, we do not pay for! In Theta, in particular, we are "all-inclusive" meaning all of our apparel, our pins, everything is paid for. We pay to keep the house up and running and we pay to plan events like dances and philanthropy events. The relationships we make with the girls in our sorority have nothing to do with money, and everything to do with making connections and caring for each other.

5. "Sorority girls are so fake."

To be fair, I have met a few sorority girls that I would consider fake. I've also met a ton of girls not in sororities that are also fake. There will be fake people in every environment; sports teams, classes, friend groups, and sororities. I also know that when going through rush, the whole experience did seem fake, and that's because it sort of is. Hundreds of girls are asking you to list off facts about yourself that make you appealing, which, in all honesty, is a pretty fake experience. BUT once you are in your sorority, those conversations become more meaningful, you find your friends and realize how real the girls are once you get to know them.

6. Sorority girls are all the same/they have no individuality.

Nope! I have never seen a more diverse group of girls than in my sorority, in every way imaginable. We have different ethnicities, sexual orientations, hair colors, family backgrounds, sports teams, school clubs, school government, etc. We have democrats, republicans, libertarians etc. We have every type of girl you can imagine because we are accepting of ALL females. We love each other and respect each other's opinions, backgrounds, and choices in life, and are always there to support each other through anything and everything.

Now that you know the truth about sororities...

I am so happy that I was able to look past these stereotypes and join my sorority. I love where I am, my family of Thetas, and the support I get from them every day. So next time someone says they're in a sorority, don't sneer or think they're an irresponsible person. Remember that a sorority is a family and that each and every one of us loves each other, and we love our sorority!