Greek life was not on my radar in the slightest when I was searching for a college. In fact, I actively ignored any details that were shared with me about sororities, having prematurely decided that I didn’t ever want to conform to the standards other girls might have for me. I believed every stereotype about Greek-letter organizations; I’m not a fan of peer pressure, I’m not a party girl, and I’m completely fine making my own decisions and planning my own outings, thank you very much. I presumed that if I joined Greek life, these aspects of my life would be thrown to the wayside in favor of collectivism. Ultimately, I chose a school that didn’t even have sororities or fraternities. Crisis averted, right?
I didn't see myself fitting into a group of girls because I'd always gotten along better with guys, having grown up around more of them than I did close girlfriends. But then the majority of the female childhood friends I did care about joined the same couple sororities and became sisters, even though they didn't all go to the same school. I love them, so why shouldn’t I love the groups they’d chosen to join?
As it turns out, I do. I have the worst FOMO because I hear their amazing stories and see their beautiful pictures on a daily basis. And you know what? There’s so much depth to Greek life that I wasn’t able to originally see as an outsider. I know I won’t ever have the chance to be their sister, but my friends have shown me and included me in the fantasy lives they lead as part of a sorority. Here are 13 of the reasons why I wish I were in one:
1. The sense of community
In joining a fraternity or sorority, you become part of a network of people that spans across time at your school and at every school across the country with a chapter of it. Legacies continue the involvement of families, and in the very relevant example of "Legally Blonde 2," we see that Elle Woods’ relationship with Congresswoman Libby Hauser is ameliorated when they learn they’re both of Delta Nu. Connections abound. Your future employer might look for evidence that you work well with others, and what better proof is there than is having been a member of a group as expansive as a sorority?
2. Formals
I personally always look for an excuse to dress up, and I know that many girls my age do, too. I am exceedingly jealous of my friends in sororities because they always seem to have a formal to go to, either their own or as a date with a fraternity brother. I have a really cute navy suede dress and if I were in a sorority I’d probably already have at least three formal events to which to wear it scheduled, but alas, I am not. A true tragedy. Loophole: Finding a frat boy, inviting myself to be his date to his formal. I am open to suggestions.
3. An opportunity to engage in philanthropy
Unless you have a decent amount of free time (and if you do, would you mind sharing with me how you have come to acquire it?), committing yourself to community service as a college student is tough, even if you want to. The 26 sororities in the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) collectively give almost $40 million to charity and scholarship funds annually. I want to do good, and the charitable fundraisers of sororities provide an easy way to get involved while having fun making a difference with friends.
4. Sisterhood
Joining a sorority might be your only chance to have sisters if you don’t have any by birth. To mention legacies again, imagine being a sister with your mom. Weird, right? It is so important to recognize that sororities are proof that feminism is alive and well, banding together strong women regardless of age, color, race, family history, religion or wealth in support of one another. Different backgrounds come together to meet common goals in Greek life—a reminder that we are similar to others enough to at least have wanted to join the same group. Girls understand girls better than guys ever will. What better way to make those close female friends I’ve never had a ton of, but always wanted than by joining a sisterhood?
5. Photo opportunities
I like to think I have a healthy following on Instagram, but then I notice the number of likes my friends in sororities get in a single hour and feel sad. Having 50 sorority sisters means having 50 more Instagram followers plus 50 more people who don’t mind taking more pictures with you when you don’t like any of the ones already taken but are really feeling your outfit or want to show the world how fun that concert was. I want my Insta elevated by filling it with snapshots of fun nights, sunny days and eye-crinkling smiles. Pics or it didn’t happen.
6. The outfits
Joining a sorority holds you to a higher fashion standard. Ripped jeans and a T-shirt? Fine for a football game, but not festive enough for your frat party tonight. Bid day? You provide your own white Converse, they’ll bring the matching tanks. I feel the same way I do about sorority dress codes for certain outings as I do about school uniforms: I’m not a fan at first mention, but I suppose it really is easier to have constant outfit inspiration than to stress about whether or not you’re going to wear the right thing. At the very least, joining a sorority gives you an idea of how to dress to present your best self, especially if some of your sisters have exceptional style and you might be able to use their skills to your advantage for that job interview.
7. The events
Theme parties, tailgates, frat parties… Beyond the aforementioned formals, the events sorority girls get to go to exceed my wildest dreams. I went to one party at my school this past year that was more than a typical house or dorm party. One. I rarely get the chance to meet new people or explore new environments while at my school since the same students tend to do the same few things at the same few places on a regular basis. I crave crazy nights that defeat the monotony of a small town schools' party scene.
8. Social access
On that same note, being a part of a sorority essentially eliminates the need to text half a dozen people from different friend groups each night to find out what’s going on. This current method of mine nearly always fails because the lack of organization makes it hard to just jump in on something exciting. Not scheduling outings ahead of time at a school without Greek life makes sitting in bed with Ben & Jerry’s a pretty common indulgence. Delicious? Yes. Lonely? Also yes.
9. Crafting
Any opportunity to browse Pinterest is okay by me. I love when my friends ask for help with designing paddles and cutting T-shirts and would love to ask them for their crafting expertise in return. Unfortunately, I currently have no excuses to break out the glitter and puffy paint or draw on a cooler.
10. Leadership
Like most organizations at a college or university, sororities provide opportunities to engage in leadership in the way that best fits your skills and chosen career path. Good communicators are responsible for running the website and social media accounts and economics majors might serve as the best treasurers. Not everyone is good at everything, so those who can hone certain skills while benefiting the sorority are appreciated, with their sisters placing their trust in them to make sure those talents are put to good use. The NPC also provides another access point to get more involved in Greek life.
11. Chances to try new things
How are you supposed to know what you like and don’t like if you never get out? Coming into contact with others allows you the opportunity to get to know what they like and maybe become involved in something you had never previously heard of or considered trying on your own. For example, exposure to a sister who is a fitness instructor makes you think about your own level of physical activity—enough to maybe attend her classes. In supporting her, you’re enhancing your own health! Focus on the group can translate directly to you as you benefit from whatever it is others are involved in, too.
12. Scholarship
Since sororities and fraternities are based out of institutions of higher education, academia is at their core. My friends in the Delta Gamma chapter at Penn State must maintain GPAs over 2.5 if they don’t want to be on academic probation—an obvious red flag that your priorities aren’t quite where they should be as a student. But that benchmark, as well as the occasional mandatory study hours, acts as a motivator to get your butt in gear academically so that you’re allowed to attend socials. Having study buddies within your sorority makes it easier to be a sober sister. Additionally, sororities and fraternities can serve as a whole other source of scholarship, as they reward those who do well in school and demonstrate well roundedness. I’ve learned that a sharp wit is necessary if you want to understand how recruitment and pledges and Bid Day are all related.
13. You meet your best friends
Ultimately, a sorority is a group of dozens of people you can call in the middle of the night to talk about anything and get the best advice. In joining a sisterhood, you’re giving yourself access to the best sort of “wingwomen” out there that have similar values and goals and have more potential to understand the life you live. The bond you share with your sisters is strong, lifelong, and there’s really no other sort of group for our age group that can compare in terms of love amongst members. Being a sorority girl is more than just creating an identity as a young adult–it’s getting built-in best friends.
