A year ago, I was unsure if I wanted to join a sorority and now, I am a Pi Chi or recruitment counselor. Recruitment counselors hold a leadership position within the College Panhellenic Association and their main goal is to promote sorority life to potential new members (PNMs) before, during and after the recruitment period. They are neutral, meaning they are not focused on and are not directly affiliated with their specific chapters until recruitment has ended. Hence the phrase, "we gave up our letters to help you find yours."
Recruitment has not yet begun but as young women contemplate whether or not they want to rush, we are there to answer their (and their parents') questions. I see women everywhere who are contemplating going Greek. While it is a decision they must make for themselves, I would encourage all of them to give it a shot.
Some girls know that they ARE RUSHING. They are excited and ready to go. They can answer more questions than you or I can about every sorority on every college campus they have ever toured. Their parents either trail along behind them or lead the charge right beside them. My advice for these women is to avoid being narrow-minded. You can't pick a sorority before you've even met your potential sisters. Though you may love their national reputation, each chapter is different. Take a breath and enjoy the recruitment process.
Some girls are planning to avoid everything Greek, but their parents are steadily pushing them our way. Like I said before, it is ultimately your decision, but ask yourself "Why do my parents want this for me?" or "What are my reasons for not rushing?" Parents tend to know what they're talking about, and if stereotypes are holding you back - well, we'll talk about that later.
Some girls are stuck in the middle. They don't understand the benefits of going Greek and they don't think their friends would approve. (And a small part of them is afraid they won't get a bid.) But they still (secretly) think that they would like it. I was one of these girls. My best friend told me she would never go Greek and that I would be hanging out with people exactly like me, and, while I claimed I wasn't, I was terrified of being rejected. First of all, this decision is yours alone. I can go on and on about the perks of going Greek (seriously, 85 percent of Fortune 500 executives were part of Greek life. The first female astronaut was Greek, so was the first female senator. And college graduation rates are 20 percent higher among Greeks than non-Greeks) but I can't tell you what you will personally recieve from going Greek. What I can tell you:
•The Greek System is proving the stereotypes wrong everyday, and just because you saw it in Neighbors 2 doesn't make it a reality. (I have never been hazed. Our main focus is not partying. Our grades aren't terrible - they're actually some of the best on campus.)
•If you have financial concerns, sororities are very upfront with their costs and they will work with you if you both agree that you have found your home.
•If you don't get a bid, it's not the end of the world. You can still attend many Greek events and be involved in the community. And, if you want to, you can try again later.
Who knows? Pretty soon you might be in my shoes. Lord knows I was definitely in yours, which is why I can very proudly encourage you to Go Greek.
