There’s nothing that makes my skin crawl more than when people say, “Oh, I am not the sorority type." The sorority type? Oh, you mean the stereotype that the media and Hollywood so often label us with? Yeah, no, that’s not really us. Don’t get me wrong, there are girls like that in all of the sororities, but that is a few amongst many diverse individuals. So, now that I have you listening, here is the truth about formal recruitment and sororities.
1. We make a large college seem smaller, and you instantly find your group of friends.
OK, it doesn’t have to be a large college. But most likely, you are at a brand new campus and don’t really know too many people. So, in hindsight, yeah, pretty overwhelming. They say coming to college, you need to find your niche. Hello. Going through recruitment is literally handing your niche over to you! While coming home to a house full of new sisters who automatically love you seems a literally crazy, it is the best and most rewarding crazy thing you can do.
2. We do more than go out and party.
Contrary to popular belief, there is more to us than partying. Yes, we know how to have a good time, but part of the reason why we are some of the best girls on campus is because we know how to balance it. Every sorority has a philanthropy they hold events for all through the academic year, trying to raise money for. All sororities have a GPA requirement, and a lot of those chapters require their members to attend study tables.
3. We actually have good reputations.
First off, it’s no one’s business what goes on in your sex life. Secondly, because a sorority has a good relationship with a fraternity or fraternities for that matter, does not mean they are a bunch of sluts or whatever derogatory word you want to label them with. While a lot of us may be single, about the same number of women have boyfriends. We have good heads on our shoulders, I promise.
4. Our bylaws hold ourselves to a higher standard.
Yes, there are bylaws, but it is to make women in Greek life the best women they can be. The girl I was before I rushed would not have accomplished and grown as much as I have if it wasn’t for joining a sorority. The bylaws sororities have are to transform girls into women. So, if you are hesitant about rushing based on what you hear of sororities have too strict of bylaws or whatever know this: 1) they really aren’t strict and 2) it is to make sure you live up to the values and expectations we know you can. When I was asked by my sisters to be in their sisterhood, they saw their values already instilled in me and believed I could live them out every day. That is why bylaws are there and the purpose they serve.
5. A sorority’s ritual is something that will influence you for the rest of your life.
Sororities take their ritual very seriously. It is so hard to explain the feeling until you are in that moment being initiated in. You will just have to trust me on this. It is one of the most beautiful and vulnerable things you can experience. You are learning the secrets of your chapter and what your values really mean, and once you are initiated, you join thousands of other sisters around the country.
6. There’s always a sister willing to bend over backwards for you.
My sorority sisters have gotten me jobs. I have given them jobs. There’s always someone who can tutor you. There’s always an older girl in your major who can help you plan for classes and avoid those awful professors. There’s always someone to get food with you or drive you somewhere if need be. The thing is, they do all sorts of things for you, no questions asked! I never had an older sister, so when I became a new member in my sorority, I had 100 new sisters who could guide me in the direction I needed.
7. You will want to challenge yourself.
I was never super involved in a lot of clubs in high school. I was always too focused on school to have time for other things. That is great, and there are a lot of women in my chapter who make excellent grades and are dedicated to their major. However, there are also women who are involved in a handful of organizations, hold positions within their chapter and are top of their class in their major. They are well-rounded individuals and well respected within the community. I don’t strive to be them, but I, too, strive to be a well-rounded and respected woman in my community.
8. You really will find your bridesmaids.
So many women come to college for their “Mrs. Degree,” but college is a time to be selfish and grow. Your sorority sisters are your biggest cheerleaders, and they also are not afraid to tell you when you are in the wrong. That’s what sets them apart from your other friends. That’s what makes them worthy enough to be standing by your side on your wedding day.
9. Hazing is just not a thing.
Never once have my sisters hazed me. Never once have I heard of my friends in other chapters being hazed. It is a tired and unoriginal point that the media loves to throw in people’s faces. As a woman who is social with a lot of chapters, hazing is just not something that is done anymore in sororities. If there is any inkling of hazing in a sorority, there are severe consequences for those responsible. Plus, we love our sisters. Period.
There are so many reasons why going Greek is one of the best decisions you can make in college. Even when I went through recruitment, so many women told me they came to college with the idea they would never rush and they weren’t the “sorority type.” But yet, here they were in a sorority that they connected with enough to abolish this idea. So, I ask you to take a leap of faith and go Greek because your life will change for the better.
