Hey you,

You don’t know me, and there’s no reason for you to care, but what if I tell you that signing up for sorority recruitment might be the best decision you make in your college career? It sounds like I’m setting you up for quite the presentation but no, I’m just telling you the truth. At least you’re undecided, because a year ago, I was a solid no-go. How that solid no turned into a yes and a bid, I don’t really know, but now, a year later, is one of the decisions I will not regret doing.

You see, it was freshman year. Decisions on how to get involved had to be made, because I’m that “I can’t be doing nothing” type of girl. Sure, I love my lazy days like anyone else, but routine is certainly not my thing. So when all my roommates decided to sign up for sorority recruitment at the beginning of summer semester, I said, “go ahead”. Coming from another country and having major homesickness, I thought: why would anyone want me? How am I even supposed to fit in? Sororities are something that I would see in movies, portrayed by barbie doll-blonde girls who would only be good at cheerleading and getting boys to do things for them. That’s definitely something I would not identify with -- so why even take the risk?

As the summer went by, I kept making more and more friends, all of them bustling about which sorority was better, what they were ranked, yadda yadda yadda. It seemed as if I could not get out of the Greek world although I wasn’t even in it! I honestly did not get what the big deal was, until one day I mistakenly went to a table, thinking it was something else and *drum roll* it was the PiChis, advertising for recruitment. It was their last day, and they were trying to get as many girls as possible. I don’t remember her name, but this one girl, short with long brown hair (i.e. stereotypically everyone in Miami) said, "But why not? Aren’t you a risk taker? What is the most you have to lose?"

As I stood there, basically speechless, I asked myself the same thing. The most I have to lose is that I won’t like it, and I would waste a weekend. There are 52 more Saturdays and Sundays left…so that’s that. That night, I googled "FIU Recruitment" and enrolled and that was the start of my sorority life.

Going into recruitment not knowing what you want is the best, yet most hectic choice. I walked in not really knowing what to expect, until I was at the door of my first party and my Rho Gamma said, “Beware, there is clapping and singing involved.” Thanks to her, I kept my calm when I was inundated by chipper songs and dazzling smiles. As I went from party to party that day, the nerves died down. I had favorites already, but I didn’t even know until the doubt of not being called back chilled my bones.

To keep the story short, I guess I kept them entertained enough that I kept getting called back. Some of the girls in my group didn’t, and I can tell you it is hard to see, as a person who did get chosen, a girl cry over something that wasn’t meant to be. I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, and some girls just take time to accept the same. The worst was on bid day. A rho sister of mine was extremely sure she had gotten into the sorority she wanted, (the one I wanted as well), only to be let down and have to walk towards the FIU stadium in tears. That was one of the most heartbreaking experiences I have ever had, but her story is one I will tell because she gave them a chance. And a chance was all it took for her to be part of something bigger than herself.

I went on to accepting my bid and getting to know the girls who seemed amazingly perfect in my eyes.We are all unique, they said, and that’s what makes us special. As I met people, discovered with people, laughed with people, cried with people, they went from being people, to being my sisters. These girls have been there for me from when I don’t want to get out of bed, to when I need a place to sleep in for a weekend. It’s been a hell of a roller coaster ride, but I would never change that choice. Although no one from my family and friends back home really agreed with sororities (they think of it as "paid friendships"), now they ask about how I’m doing in mine, curious to know what is so special about it.

So to you who’s undecided about sorority recruitment, I hope my story shows you that you’re not alone. There will be girls that do not rush, and that is okay. But there will be girls, hopefully like you and I, who do at the last minute; and it ends up being the start of not only an amazing college experience, but of the rest of their life.