We all have a specific mindset that some sororities and fraternities are better than others, but this spring, when you are planning on going through the process of spring recruitment, always be sure to keep an open mind. I know it has always been a problem that people want to get into a specific organization, and when they don't, they feel disappointed and unsatisfied with the outcome. However, people should not have this mindset, because your new home away from home could be standing right there without you even knowing.

There is always this unspoken "ranking" of the Greek life system at almost every school. Potential new members already have an idea of what's considered "good" and what's considered "not as good". From this point, a girl or a guy has an expectation to get into a top-tier house, because it's either top or nothing at all. Unfortunately, this is the mindset of many college students going through recruitment.

I've had many girls, and guys, approach me asking about which ones they should consider and which ones they should choose, and I've always explained to them, "You can always go through it, and if you don't think it's for you, you can just drop out of it and not go through with it." Alas, girls do end up dropping out without even giving it a try. I remember when I was a freshman going through the process, and some of my friends would drop out of the process throughout recruitment because they were disappointed.

We have all decided to go through this process to find peers who resonate with our values and beliefs, and to find a home, as well as a great group of friends to lean on for the next four years of our lives. In my opinion, if an organization is welcoming you, that is home enough, whether it fulfills your preconceived notions or not.

So, to incoming freshman or students who are planning on going through spring recruitment: keep an open mind. Don't listen to what others have said about organizations or what you think they are like, because, believe it or not, you will essentially end up where you belong. The reason why it is so great that a school like LMU has decided to place its Spring Recruitment process in the spring, is because it gives people an opportunity to expand and make friends first, as well as a chance for girls and guys to decide whether or not Greek life is for them or not.

I think it's great that I was able to make friends during the first semester of college, and that my reasoning for joining an organization the next semester was because I wanted to make more friends, especially girl friends that I could have a lot in common in.

So keep an open mind and really expect that you will end up where you belong.