Sorority girls have negative connotations of being partiers and unintelligent. This view depicts a very inaccurate picture of what a sorority is founded upon. Many value leadership, achievements and academics. In fact, grades can determine the eligibility of a member in a chapter. Along with academics, many sororities are also dry sororities. Joining Alpha Sigma Alpha completely changed my views on Greek life and surrounded me with the most driven and welcoming group of sisters.
1. Rushing
Going through formal recruitment was nerve-wracking and tiring. Trying to keep a conversation going with sisters of different sororities while constantly smiling and showing visible interest wore you out. By the end of each event, your jaw was sore and you were back to finding a perfect outfit for the next day's events. There was also some frustration and tears when some potential new members were dropped from the sororities they wanted or when they had to visit a sorority they had dropped the day before. This exhilarating yet excruciating process, however, was the first time you met your future group of sisters. From the first day, I felt at home at Alpha Sigma Alpha. The first person I talked to was so friendly, and we clicked over interest in a K-Pop group. She ended up being one of my sisters and a big factor in me choosing to go through with joining a sorority.
2. Bid Day
When I went to the Greek Organizations office to get my bid, I was very nervous. Upon seeing that I received a bid from Alpha Sigma Alpha, I became emotional, almost on the verge of tears. I was ecstatic to have been accepted by the sisters of the sorority that I wanted the most. At the bid day event, running home to my new sorority and finding others in my pledge class was a heart-warming experience. While my experience was great, not all girls had pleasant results. Some received no bids or not a bid from the sorority they wanted.
3. Pinning Ceremony
The pinning ceremony is the first formal ceremony in your sorority. The new members are pinned with ribbons. Once initiated, these ribbons would be exchanged for a real pin as pictured above. Until then, the ribbons, usually the colors of your sorority or fraternity, are worn as pins. This process showed how supportive the Greek community was on campus. Many chapters came out to congratulate our pledge class. It was a welcoming and fun experience.
4. Big/Little
The new class, the Littles, receive Bigs. Bigs are guiding sisters who act mentors in the sorority. During clue week, the Littles receive clue baskets with hints of who their Big could be. With each clue basket, you can feel the love from your Bigs with their hand-made crafts and presents. On reveal day, you are overjoyed with finding out who your Big is and may even find out you have a twin. Discovering that I had a Big and a twin was a heart-warming experience, and I can't imagine being in the sorority without them.
5. Initiation
It's finally initiation. We officially become sisters and members of the sorority. All the time, tears and outfits are worth the wait. You are proud to have finally obtained the pin, and there is nothing better than having a sisterhood to depend on and share good memories with. I already can't wait to spend the rest of my college life with my new sisters.
