With recruitment right around the corner, sororities and fraternities are busy making their chapter seem like the chapter to join to incoming college students. Social media is being flooded with picture perfect photos capturing true sisterhood/brotherhood, recruitment sign up links, personal experiences of being Greek, and everything else recruitment chairs can think of to get potential new members to rush. Our goal is to help new students find their home like we have in our national organizations, and make the best decision for themselves during college. We all understand that anyone who joins Greek life, will leave college with an exceptional support system, incredible work skills and memories. But here's the truth about Greek life: it's not for everyone.
Sorry to shatter your dreams, and before you tell me how Greeks are a bunch of shallow, arrogant, narrow minded bunch that are just looking for the hottest and richest, let me explain why.
Greek life isn't for people only looking to party.
Although joining Greek life will give you the best social life, we are much more than getting trashed on a weekend night. I'd be lying if I told you Greeks didn't know how to have fun any day of the week, but we have serious goals and priorities. Our social events and organizations as whole, are focused around networking and getting to know, if not being/becoming, influential members in our community. All of the events that Greeks plan and attend teach us strong communication skills, organization, time management, leadership and patience. These are real life skills that will help us land jobs after graduation. These skills also help us get involved in other major aspects in college such as student activities programming, student government, college ambassador programs, new student orientation, competitive internships, to name a few. There's a reason why most top 500 companies, United States Presidents, and society leaders consist of alumni Greeks.
Greek life isn't for people who don't care about academics.
Greeks are living representation that you can play hard in college, as long as you work hard too. We consistently have higher GPA's than students who aren't apart of our community. In fact, most chapters have a GPA requirement that regular college students simply don't meet. On top of all this, Greeks have academic chairs and programs that ensures its members are striving and achieving academic success. More often than not, chapters will have required study hours each week and scholarship plans in place to make sure the chapter is on track. University Dean's Lists, National Honor Societies and academic awards aren't strange concepts in Greek life.
Greek life isn't for people who are stuck in high school.
Whatever Greek organization you may end up joining, you will find yourself pushing yourself to be the best person you can be. If you're stuck on being the same person you were when you graduated, it's simply not going to work out. Greek life is all about improving and constantly working towards being the best with your fellow sisters/brothers.
Greek life isn't for people who are selfish.
The Greek community is made up of some of the most self-less people on campus. We are constantly volunteering at a local animal shelters, food banks, and through various departments on campus. In fact, we are often the first group asked to support an event or volunteer. All Greek organizations have a national philanthropy that they are incredibly passionate about and constantly raising money for. Usually, chapters have a required volunteer hours they need complete each semester, and almost always, Greeks surpass that requirement. Regardless of the method, Greeks are constantly finding ways to give back on a local and national scale.
Even though Greeks have a lot of negative stereotypes surrounding our community, we all know that we are much more than what Hollywood makes us out to be, and as much as I wish all college students could experience Greek life, I know it's not meant to be for everyone. However, it's not because of their appearance, social class, or anything else, it's simply based on a person's attitude and desire to be a part of something bigger than themselves. It's something that will require dedication, hard work, but will bring you endless opportunities, friendships of a lifetime and grant you so much more than you could have ever expected. Truth be told, Greek life is honestly the best option for anyone who's looking to truly make the most of college, and find their home away from home.
So if you got what it takes to be a Greek, what are you waiting for? Good things happen to those who wait, but even better things happen to those who RUSH.
#GoGreek
