Recruitment is officially over for those of us at Georgia College, and sororities across the nation are welcoming new members into their chapters. For those of us who are affiliated, it is an extremely exciting time. Because I go to a small college, Greek life is pretty big, and it has served as a new and eye-opening experience for me. However, after reading the article, “Why I Chose Not To Rush,” I was taken aback by the stereotypes that are widespread about the Greek community. There is such a stigma surrounding Greek life, and as someone who rushed and loved it, reading this article put a lot in perspective for me.

We don’t all fit a mold physically.

For many, the "typical sorority girl" that comes to mind is blonde, wears designer clothes, and probably looks like she just stepped off the Victoria's Secret runway. I don't own any Lily Pulitzer, I wear Crocs, and I sometimes look like I haven't showered in a couple of days. When looking at my chapter, I realize that we don’t look alike in the least; we are an extremely diverse group of women. I for one think that this is one of our biggest strengths.

We have aspirations and the drive to achieve them.

I am blown away by my sorority sisters and their dedication to their majors; many of them are double majoring or have a minor. These are women who will be doctors, lawyers, teachers, veterinarians, among so many other professions; they will one day shape and better their communities. We don’t pick an easy major in hopes to one day attain our Mrs. degree.

We don’t take the backseat when it comes to leadership.

I have seen more leadership through my time as a Kappa Delta than I could have ever imagined. Whether internally or externally, Greek women are often leading the charge to make a difference on campus. We are encouraged to solve problems, rather than sit back and wait for others to do so.

We can get down and dirty with the best of them.

After graduating high school, I thought that my athletic career was over. However, I quickly learned that intramurals are huge in Greek life, and playing sports has been one of my favorite parts of Kappa Delta. There is a recurring idea in “Why I Chose Not To Rush” that all we do is shop, get our nails done, etc., but the overwhelming truth is that sorority women have interests that extend far beyond the stereotype.

Being in a sorority doesn’t erase your morals- it forces you to uphold them.

Though it may surprise some, there is a high level of accountability in Greek life. Sororities aren't organizations that are built on party culture. Rather, the foundation is mutual respect and love among our chapter members, and because of that, we encourage others to make good decisions and uphold the values in which we believe.

We learn practical skills to prepare for the real world.

Being in a sorority has bettered me socially and professionally. That sounds absolutely insane, particularly considering that I could have never imagined it could have had that effect on me. However, I am much more comfortable talking to others, and my public speaking skills have improved immensely. I have even been able to strengthen my resume immensely through leadership positions in Kappa Delta.

We are not paying for friends.

Much like any other organization, sororities do have dues. It is simply a way to raise money to enable the organization to function. I have yet to pay a "Friendship Due." However, if I am paying for my friends, I don’t pay nearly enough to be surrounded by thoughtful, dedicated, inspirational women who have impacted my life in such a profound way.

I admit that, when deciding to rush, I too believed these stereotypes. I didn’t think that I would fit in with a sorority, and truthfully, if sororities actually consisted of snooty, designer-obsessed blondes, I wouldn’t belong in one. However, I truly did find a home within the Eta Mu chapter of Kappa Delta, and through KD, I have met some of the most amazing women I have ever known. I can honestly say that I am a better student, better friend, and better person because of Kappa Delta.