An Open Letter To Anyone Considering Going Greek

WE ARE PHILANTHROPIES. WE ARE LEADERS. WE ARE SCHOLARS. WE ARE ROLE MODELS. WE ARE FRIENDS. WE ARE GREEK.

When I was an incoming college freshmen I contemplated going through recruitment. I was never super outgoing in high school and my mom was concerned I would get dropped from recruitment or not make it into the sorority that I wanted. After being a member of a sorority for two years, I cannot imagine my life without my sorority sisters by my side.

Greek life has changed my life and if you give it the chance, it can change yours, too.

Yes, Greek life has a bad reputation, but Greek life is nothing like what is viewed in movies. It is more than parties and is nothing like what is depicted in the new movie, Neighbors 2. Do not let these negative views keep you from going through recruitment. Do not believe the negative stereotypes about Greek life because they are not true. Greek life is not bad. In fact, there are very strict rules that Greek chapters have to follow.

Along with providing the opportunity to make lifelong friends, Greek life also includes philanthropy hours, volunteer opportunities, leadership opportunities, study hours, and mixers with other Greek organizations.

As undergraduates, members of Greek life raise approximately 7 million dollars a year for charity. Every sorority and fraternity represents a different philanthropy (a certain community service), or a greater cause that each chapter helps spread awareness of.

Through becoming a member in a Greek chapter, you become a part of a sisterhood or brotherhood and become a part of an everlasting bond that will last a lifetime. When you feel like your world is crashing down, there will always be somebody that is by your side.

By becoming Greek, you will quickly recognize a support system and bond that is unlike any other. You will find your bridesmaids or groomsmen. You will learn how to network. Through the sisterhood or brotherhood that Greek life provides, you might even find your future job after graduation.

Greek life will help you expand your social group and allow you to meet new people outside of your high school friend group. I never had a super close friend group in high school, and I didn't know anybody at the college I chose to attend, but joining a sorority not only provided me with the super close friend group I had always been searching for, but a group of girls who quickly became a second family.

I cannot imagine life today without my sisters by my side. They are there for me to not only wipe my tears, but to celebrate my successes. Regardless of the situation, my sisters are always there by my side. Going Greek was the best decision I have ever made in my life.

Greek life will help make you a better person and will help you to get out of your comfort zone. Greek life offers many different leadership positions, allowing you the opportunity to gain valuable life skills.

Greek life will give you the opportunity to take a "Little" and you can become involved with your chapter's Executive Board. These leadership positions will look great on a resume for employers and higher education programs.

After the passing of one of my sorority sisters/best friends, I learned the true meaning behind sisterhood. I would not have made it through that semester as easily as I did if it weren't for my sorority sisters supporting me through everything and sticking by my side. From the cards I received, to always having someone to cry with when I was feeling down, to always getting a text from a sister checking in to see if I was doing okay, Greek life has had a huge impact on my life.

Academics are a main focus of Greek life and chapters have academic standards. These academic standards will help you to maintain a higher GPA and provide you the motivation to do so. Many Greek chapters even provide the opportunity to earn scholarships and incentives for getting good grades.

There is a mandatory GPA that each chapter requires, which is just motivation for you to keep your grades high. Greek chapters assign study hours based on your GPA. Mandatory study hours will help motivate you to study. You can also form study groups with members from your chapter and you will always be able to find somebody from your chapter studying in the library.

Greek life provides you an excellent opportunity to become involved on campus. There will almost always be something going on, so you will never get bored.

Even if you are unsure about joining Greek life, I would highly recommend going through the recruitment process. Going through recruitment will provide you the opportunity to meet countless members of Greek life. The members you meet during recruitment will remember who you are, and you might even become friends after recruitment, whether you are in the same chapter or not.

If you are still contemplating whether or not Greek life is for you, attend any info sessions that your campus holds for Greek life. If you do make the decision to go through recruitment, you will find your home away from home. Keep your mind open. It will help you find your home.