Being an orientation leader and a resident assistant in the dorms, I hear all of the horror stories of what incoming freshman girls say about sororities and how they hate sororities and would never join one because of what they've seen in the movies. I will admit that I did not want to join a sorority my freshman year either because of what I had seen in the movies about sororities and the surrounding stereotype. However, after going through freshman year and not hearing any horror stories about sororities at my campus, I decided to give it a shot and go through recruitment my sophomore year. I ended up receiving a bid to my top choice sorority and at first I was very excited, but then a wave of fear washed over me as I remembered what I had seen in the movies about hazing and I was terrified to be put in that position.

I was elected president for my class of myself and 24 other girls. As I went through the new member process, I was a mix of excited yet terrified. Excited because I was bonding with not only the new members, but the active sisters as well, it felt too good to be true. However, there was still a wave of fear rushing through me because I was constantly wondering when the hazing would happen and what I would do when it did. I talked to other girls in my new member class and other girls in different sororities new member classes to make sure it wasn't just me who felt this way. Going into a sorority, everyone tells you they have a zero tolerance for hazing but because of the media and how sororities are portrayed, no one believes that.

Finally, initiation day came. Up until that point, I had experienced nothing but love, happiness, bonding, and acceptance, but, if there was ever a time to haze, it was during initiation. Throughout the entire night of initiation, I kept waiting for the ball to drop and for the fun to be over and the hazing to begin. But to my relief, we did nothing but bond and get to know each other on a deeper level. After initiation I made it my goal to make sure everyone going through the new member process felt comfortable and did not believe the movies like I did.

I am now going on my third year in my sorority and I can honestly say I have never once felt uncomfortable or have I been hazed even in the slightest way. That doesn't just go for my sorority either. Obviously I can only state facts about the sororities at my school, but I can say with confidence hazing does not happen in any national sorority in the United States. I wanted to write this article because I see so many amazing girls that could do such amazing things in sororities turn their noses up at them because of the sorority stereotype or because of what they see in the movies. Sororities are not for hazing, or partying, or being a typical sorority girl. Why would any sorority want to treat someone who is going to be their sister any less than a sister?

Yes, girls in sororities can attend parties just as any girl that goes to college whether they're in an organization or not can attend a party. Attending parties does not have anything to do with being a sorority, it is a personal choice. Yes, there will be some girls you'll come across in greek life that will fit the typical sorority girl stereotype, but that doesn't mean every girl is like that. Also, that's who they are. If that's who they are and they like it then let them be happy. If that's who you want to be then by all means be like that and be happy. It is your life and in no way anyone's place to judge. Just because there is a sorority girl stereotype, that doesn't mean you have to fit that stereotype if you don't want to. Your sorority will love and accept you for who you are. There are so many girls in my sorority that people would never think would be in a sorority but they're some of the most active girls and everyone loves and accepts each other for who we are, differences included.

After being an active member for two going on three years, and holding a position on the executive board, I can confidently say that sororities are nothing like they portray in the movies and we will fight everyday to break that stereotype. There is no hazing, there is no picture perfect image you have to fit to get in, it's not all about the parties, and fraternity boys, and stereotypes. It is so much more than all of that. It's about the philanthropy, the volunteering, and most importantly, sisterhood. I have seen sororities at my school do incredible things. I have seen a sorority raise almost $8,000 in 12 hours for their philanthropy here on campus. I have seen sororities have over 1,000 volunteering hours for the semester. I have seen sorority girls spend their weekends or school breaks volunteering and helping people instead of going on vacations or going out for the weekend. I have seen sororities drop everything and be there for their sisters at 4:00 in the morning. The sisterhood in every sorority I have ever encountered is breathtaking. It is truly something you will never forget. It is something that from the outside looking in you will never understand because you haven't experienced it and from the inside looking out you can't explain it because it's such an incredible feeling to be a part of something so loving and accepting that you would just have to experience it for yourself.

Yes, I understand sororities are not for everyone, but I encourage everyone to at least try it out for themselves and be able to say for themselves that it is not for them instead of just throwing out the option due to other people's opinions and what they've seen in the movies. To go through recruitment and walk into a room and just know that it's your home is a feeling you will never forget. To know you can change the world by raising money for your philanthropy or going out and volunteering is such a humbling and wonderful feeling. To know you can truly count on not just one person, but over 20 people to be there for you whenever you need them is something you'll carry with you for the rest of your life.

I encourage every girl out there to at least go through recruitment and try to go Greek and before you ask which sorority is the "best sorority" know that as much as every sorority girl would love to tell you theirs is the best they all know there is no such thing as the "best sorority." No sorority can be the best because it all depends on you. It depends on where you fit in the best and where you feel is your home. A sorority can be best for a specific person, but no whole sorority is better than any other one. So try it out, try going greek and if you don't like it and it's not for you then at least you can say you tried, but don't just write it off because of things you've heard. Sororities are wonderful things, whether they're for you or not. They help others around the world and even internally in their own organization.

Yes, I am a sorority girl, but not in the way that I party every weekend or that I date fraternity guys or that I'm blonde and skinny and perfect like barbie or in the way that I pay for my friends. I am a sorority girl in the way that I spend hours of my time every month going out into the community and serving because I love to help others. I am a sorority girl in the way that I pay dues so my sorority can hold events to raise money for our philanthropy, not so I can pay for my friends. I am a sorority girl in the way that I have been on the dean's list every semester of college and I am now going on to receive my masters degree and was one of 30 people accepted into a program that had over 600 applicants. I am a sorority girl in the way that I can tell you the first and last name of every single one of my sisters and give five fun facts about each one of them. I am a sorority girl in the way that I would do anything for one of my sisters at any time of the day, just as I know they would do for me. I am a sorority girl in the way that I am not perfect, I have flaws, but my sisters love and accept me for who I am. I am a sorority girl in the way that I am a strong, independent woman who doesn't need a fraternity guy or any guy for that matter to get ahead in life. I have gained many valuable leadership skills from being in my sorority and I will be a leader, not a follower. I am a sorority girl and I am proud of it. So, give it a chance, go Greek!