The fall semester is just around the corner, and you know what that means? Thousands and thousands of eager and bright-eyed young women will be considering joining a sorority at colleges around the nations. I spent a year and a half before joining Greek Life at Arizona State University, but, even I will admit, I had some ideas about it before I joined. I read an article recently in which a girl justified her choice to not join a sorority by stereotyping the girls who did join in a very harsh and untrue way, so I decided to address some of the points this author brought up:

1. "Sorority girls are all the same."

This could not be further from the truth! I was worried about this same idea myself when rushing. I'm no stick-thin blond-haired Barbie doll (which is what so many people consider to be the "basic look" of sorority girls.) I was so concerned that I would not fit in with any sorority on campus--I thought I was too different. The beauty of a sorority, however, is that every each one is a unique blend of girls of a variety of different shapes and sizes who come from very different backgrounds. No, not every girl comes from some family where her mom, her grandma, and her four aunts all joined a sorority. In fact, many girls are the first in their families to join a sorority, and there is nothing wrong with that. What is wrong is to lump so many beautiful individuals into one category and call them "the same." Being unique is a gift, and I am proud of my own sorority for priding themselves on having such a wonderful and welcoming community of girls.

2. "Sorority girls are dumb and party animals."

Let me preface this by saying yes, there are in fact some air-headed sorority girls out there. That is just how the world works--but by no means is it acceptable to describe every girl in this way. For example, I joined this past spring semester while taking 22 credit hours, participating in intramural sports and other clubs, working between 15-20 hours a week, being a member of the Honors College, and undertaking my biggest film project yet. Not to toot my horn, but I did in fact maintain a 4.0 GPA while all of this was going on. On top of that, I'm on track to graduate a semester early, and if you think I'm going to let a sorority get in the way of that, then you are sadly mistaken. More than that, however, is that there are so many girls who, on top of their sorority obligations, care deeply about their schoolwork and work as hard as they can, while also participating in a variety of extracurriculars, not to mention also working part-time or full-time. Yes, the social obligations can be very tempting, and yes, there are girls who neglect their schoolwork in favor of said obligations, but for the most part, these girls are better at managing their time than many other students.

3. "Girls in a sorority just pay for their friends."

There is a cost associated with Greek life. I will admit even I was overwhelmed as a new member--I did not understand how something like a sorority could cost so much. After spending time with this group of girls, however, and seeing how much really goes on behind the scenes of the big philanthropy events, etc., I understood why the money was necessary. So no, we don't really "pay for our friends"; we pay dues to the national headquarters (different for every sorority, but there is no way around it) as well as different events that will put on during the year. Sure, maybe it's expensive, but I have to say, I have already had a great experience in my sorority and am very grateful for the opportunity to spend time with these girls in many different ways.

4. "Sorority girls are selfish."

Once again, there will be bad apples in any bunch, at any school. Just because that is true, however, does not give someone the right to lump all girls into that category. I know that there a women who would go out of their way to make sure that I was okay and taken care of; I know I could count on these girls for anything, even if it was just some company or a friendly face. On top of that, many donate their own money to several causes and events throughout the year, and no, we don't just do it for a t-shirt! People genuinely support a variety of causes and are willing to donate their time and money to something that they stand behind, and I think that is a beautiful thing.

5. "Sorority girls have to be happy all the time."

Alright this one is just ridiculous. Sure, every sorority wants to have a good image on campus, but if you are having a bad day, you are having a bad day. You do not have to "pretend" with the girls that welcomed you into their sisterhood. In fact, you should feel welcome to discuss your bad days and problems with them, because they just want to help. You are free to express yourself in whatever way you wish (at appropriate times, of course--maybe not angrily shouting during a chapter meeting), and your sisters will be there to comfort you and pick you up when you fall down. I think it's unreasonable to expect any individual to be happy all the time--I think I would be more concerned if a person seemed to be without other emotions.

6. "Girls are stuck with the stereotype for the rest of their life."

Only because there are uninformed individuals out in the world who continue to perpetuate the sterotype--like the author I got these points from. To reiterate my most important point, there will be mean, rude, and stereotyping people every single place you go. At any school, at any workplace, in any town. It is up to people on an individual basis to keep themselves in check. Sure, I know when people look at me and see me with letters they think, "Oh, she's just another sorority girl." But I'm not. I am a unique individual and my letters don't define me--they add to me. They show the world that I am part of an international group of women who stand behind important causes and hold themselves to a high standard. I am proud to wear my letters because I am proud of my sorority.

To all those considering rushing--best of luck. I hope God guides you on the right path and that you find yourself surrounded by a beautiful new group of women. Do not let others fill your heads with stereotypes. You are a beautiful young woman, sorority or not, and joining a sorority does not make you more or less beautiful than you already are. Go out there and be yourself, and you are sure to find a group of women who will appreciate you for who you are.