I specifically remember the summer before my freshman year at George Mason when I told numerous people I would never be "that girl" who joined a sorority - please, those hand signs are lame.
Here I am, a year later, anxiously awaiting to be reunited with my sisters. I went against everything I said and signed up for recruitment. Here I am, a year later, writing an article encouraging young women (freshman or not) to consider joining such an influential community.
I encourage you to ask yourself: why not?
Why not just sign up for recruitment.
Maybe its the stereotypes, like "it's just paying for friends" or "all they do is party". Maybe you're overwhelmed, "Recruitment is in the fall, how am I suppose to know what I'm getting myself into?". Maybe you think it's just not for you - "it's for preppy girls with rich parents".
Maybe, but probably not.
Previously being known as a Christian, goody-two shoes - I promise you I thought all those same things. It wasn't until I met with a sister of Gamma Phi Beta who was a small group leader for Greek InterVarsity that I decided to just try it.
I would sign up, get my t-shirt, and if I hated it - I would drop. No big deal.
Here's the kicker - I didn't hate it, I loved it. I fell in love with the girls I met, my current chapter, and the memories I made along the way. I was becoming "that girl" who wanted to cheer how Chi Omega was sassy and classy, "that girl" who yelled "throw what you know" at dusk to get a good picture to post on Instagram, "that girl" who found, not just friends, but sisters that would be by my side at my wedding one day.
I have no regrets - except that I wasn't more open minded to begin with.
On the contrary, everyone's experiences are different. I cannot promise that "going Greek" is for you. For some, community is found else where. As a Greek myself, I encourage that. The purpose of Greek life is to build a supportive community where you can be yourself through and through - if that's found in a different organization, that's awesome!
Although the slogan says "Great Women Go Greek" - remaining an independent, young woman does not mean you are any less wonderful.
As the weeks turn into days before the start of the semester, let me be the first to say Go Greek. Not because you get a t-shirt, not because it's what everyone on your hall is doing, but because it could make you even greater. It will give you community. It will give you a place to go when everyone is going out - and you choose not too. Most importantly, it really will give you honest, genuine love.
This is a chance for you to be apart of something you've never know - a chance to stretch yourself. Don't do it for someone else - do it for you.
Why not?
It's not paying for friends, because sisterhood has no price.
