When you hear the words "sorority" or "fraternity," there is a good chance you start thinking about the Kappas on 'Scream Queens,' or Zac Efron and Dave Franco in 'Neighbors.' Needless to say, Hollywood has made the Greek organizations on college campuses something that people grow to fear. In spite of the persona given off on a screen, there's more to Greek life than letters and a good time. I had the chance to sit down with members of several Greek life organizations at Buffalo State College to help prove that Greek life is nothing as it seems. Allow me to introduce the sororities and fraternities I had the pleasure of speaking with.

delta Delta Phi Zeta: a local organization which holds a close knit and strong relationship within the community of Buffalo that stands for chance, dedication, knowledge and excellence.

Interviewees: Jessica Cain, Music Education Major, Senior & Emilie Ledwin, Hospitality Management Major, Junior.

What they look for: "We look for girls who want to grow. Part of our saying is to help women excel in their chosen field of study. We also look for girls who are mere images of ourselves but very different - we bond over the differences we have."

Sigma Delta Tau: a national sorority committed to empowering women who focus on working with PCAA (preventing child abuse across America.)

Interviewees: Danni Cibrano, Public Comm Major, Junior; Sarah Cosentino, Business Major, Senior and Emily Zajoc, Business Marketing Major, Senior.

What they look for: "We look for girls with all around good qualities. We look for girls with leadership skills, strong personalities but also girls that can build our sorority."

Sigma Alpha Mu: a fraternity focused on building academic and leadership skills for their brothers nationwide.

Interviewees: Matthew Pothier, Forensic Chemistry Major, Graduate Student and Chris Bohan, Criminal Justice Major, Senior

What they look for: "We want people who want to give back to the greater good, and want to accomplish more for themselves."

Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity Inc. - a fraternity founded on the ideas of pan-Americanism that aims to spread awareness and embrace the Latino culture.

Interviewees: Mitchel Castellon, Business Administration Major with a concentration in Human Resources, Senior; Brandon Quintanilla-Hernandez, Computer Information Systems Major, Junior and Freddy De la Rosa, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Senior.

What they look for: "We look for individuals who take on leadership roles on our campus - someone who takes part and takes initiative. We also look for ones who embrace and take pride in their culture."

So let's talking about the H word...

Amongst each organization I spoke to, hazing is something that none of them agree with. Each of them have made it very clear that they do not haze.

"There's no point to hazing. It's barbaric, it's sophomoric, and we're trying to put kids into suits, not caskets," says Chris Bohan. "It's a huge stereotype that Greek organizations have where they do these acts to people who want to join, and these kids are willing to do it because they want to be a part of an organization, and it's something we just won't do," says Matthew Pothier.

"I think other organizations think it will make your bond closer, which I don't understand. The only things that should be happening are things that will help you grow," says Jessica Cain. Emilie Ledwin agreed, "Screaming at me that I'm ugly is not going to fix anything... if you're going to physically and mentally bring down a girl who you're supposed to love and call your sister, what's the point?"

What's with the whole Big/Little thing?

"Big and littles are the best part of your program! It's to build your family tree and have a special bond with one of your sisters. It's kind of like actually having a big sister with you at college, she's always there for you," says Danni Cibrano. "Your big is usually older and more mature, so they're like an outside support system. They are there to be your mentor," says Emily Zajac, with Sarah Cosentino quickly agreeing, "Bigs and littles have a special bond that doesn't last for just those four years."

"Our fraternity doesn't have bigs and littles.. we're just brothers. It's basically just someone who helps and guides and influences you throughout the process of becoming a brother. Sometimes it just that one person, but sometimes it's all of us," says Brandon Quintanilla-Hernandez.

Aren't you just paying to have friends?

"The money that I'm giving goes straight towards our sister bonding. It goes towards our outings, our community service, our shirts... it goes completely back to us," says Emilie Ledwin. Jessica Cain piggy-backed that with an interesting theory. "You don't pay to hang out with your friends, but you pay to go out together, right? Well, think about just paying for everything all at once rather than instead of along the way."

"Our money goes towards PCAA, bid day, recruitment, shirts, any sisterhood events we have, and just anything we do as a whole sorority. I hate that saying. I'm not paying for my friends. I was friends with a lot of the girls before I joined and we did it together before I paid a dime," says Sarah Cosentino.

Why don't you just call yourselves members? Why brothers/sisters?

"We're not just together once a week. We're together every day," says Chris Bohan. "You know, you stay with these people for the rest of your life. It's not just high school, or a colleague or a co-worker. You want a brother that's always going to be there for you, and that's what this is," says Matthew Pothier.

"We're all different, not one of us is the same. We are a group of girls in the same organization but we're one big family. I could go to any single one of my sisters for anything and I know they would have my back in a second. We've all seen each other at our worst and our best. We're all in SDT for a reason and we all stand for the same thing," says Sarah Cosentino.

How do you defeat the stereotype that comes with Greek life?

"Last semester, we actually won 'Most Improved Greek Organization' on campus because our school looked at us as a stereotypical tv sorority, and we never viewed ourselves as that. Through everything we went through, we proved ourselves and broke that stereotype. We do community service because want to, not because we have to. We enjoy giving back. We have mandatory library time, and we run weekly programs. Yes, we do have our fun but at the end of the day we're doing good things around campus," says Emilie Ledwin.

"Little things set us apart. Our community service, the leadership roles, even our familia day," says Freddy De la Rosa. "I feel like you can't steer away from the stereotypes but that's what the purpose of your chapter is, to try and defeat the stereotype. It all comes down to your contribution," says Mitchel Castellon.

What has being involved in Greek Life done for you, besides give you letters?

"The biggest thing for me was leadership skills. The second I joined I had in my mind what I wanted to do. I ended up taking on several leadership positions and look at me now - I have my own office, I'm teaching two classes and I'm a graduate student. I've got everything I wanted to accomplish and more from being a part of this fraternity," says Matthew Pothier.

"It gives us access to various networks - not just within the fraternity. You get n array of connections. It's an amazing love and appreciation for one another," says Mitchel Castellon. "Every fraternity and sorority has their own connections but at the end of the day, I just love having my brothers around me," says Brandon Quintanilla-Hernandez.

Anything to say to those who want to join but are too nervous to do so?

"It's the best four years of your life. The best decision I made. It made my four years at Buffalo State the best with joining SDT and the friends I have is the exact reason I don't want to leave," says Emily Zajac. "Do it. It's going to be the best decision you've ever made. Don't even think twice," says Danni Cibrano.

"Trust you gut. If you don't feel comfortable with the organization, then run with your gut," Mitchel Castellon says. "Also, do your research. Find out what an organization stands for and if you agree with it, then go for it," says Brandon Quintanilla-Hernandez.

"Just stop and talk to us! It might be weird, but we're normal people. Just ask us any questions you may have," says Jessica Cain. Emilie Ledwin quickly piggy-backed on that, "If you see more than just letters and you're really interested, come talk with us!"

"Man up," Chris Bohan jokingly says, "If you're going to be scared to join a group, what's going to happen when you go into an interview and you try to get a job? Don't be scared. Try things that are new. I did. I was against it and now I'm a part of it. Now I'm a leader in the fraternity. You just gotta man up."