Going into recruitment my freshman year of college, I had no clue what to expect from a sorority. I had heard a lot about it, especially the negatives, and I was therefore pretty nervous. However, after going through recruitment, I found a house that was the perfect fit for me and discovered that many of the myths and stereotypes about Greek life are false.
1. You're going to get hazed
Historically hazing has been a part of fraternities, however, in recent years Greek organization have attempted to further themselves from the practice. Many Greek organizations have places outright bans on hazing with offending chapters facing the removal of their chapter from campus. Sure, there are houses out there that still haze but to say that all or most of them do is a gross exaggeration.
2. Only pretty, popular girls get into sororities
There is not one type of Greek woman, that is why there are so many different houses. Every house has different values and goals so assuming that all Greek women are the same is just naïve.
3. Only jocks get into frats
See the above, it's just as applicable to men in frats as women in sororities.
4. Greek life takes up all of your time
This can be true, however it is dependent on the individual. Everything dependents on how involved you want to be as a member. Greek life is going to take more of your time if you're an officer, on the Greek Week committee, and participate in a lot of Greek events. However, if you don't want to be super involved as a member, you don't have to be.
5. Greek organizations are super cultish
Call it culty or call it traditional, dealer's choice. A lot of chapters have very traditional rituals and practices that may seem kind of culty and weird until you realize that many houses are over 100 years old as are these traditions.
6. You "pay" for your friends
I hate it when people say this. We're not paying for friends, we pay to be part of organizations that help us meet like-minded individuals with shared interests and values while continuing hundreds of years of tradition.
7. Greeks only hang out with other Greeks
While many Greeks tend to hang out with people in their house for obvious reasons, most people have friends outside of the Greek community.
8. Greek life is all about partying
Trust me there is so much more to Greek life than just parties. We've got philanthropies, sisterhood/brotherhood, friendships, traditions, mentorship, and so much more.
9. Greeks have bad grades
Most Greek chapters hold their members to high standards academically. Many sororities have policies in place that terminate member if their grades are low and they fail to get them up after a specific number of semesters.
10. Greeks post about drinking all over social media
While I can't speak for frats, most sororities have very strict rules concerning what their members can post on social media. These range from members simply not being able to post about drinking to members being unable to even post photos with red solo cups in them.
11. Greeks are only involved with the Greek community.
Greeks are typically pretty involved on-campus. We are not only required to attend educational programs each semester but also complete numerous community service hours. Additionally, Greek organizations have philanthropic events each semester, benefiting causes that are greater than the Greek community at their school.
12. Greek life is expensive.
This can be true; however, it is dependent on the chapter you join as well as how much money you choose to spend on optional things such as t-shirts from their chapter.
