When you imagine a frat guy, you probably picture a beer-guzzling-tinder-using-spoiled-prestigious-brat, but that is not always the case. Boys in fraternities may have the notorious reputations for being self-absorbed and only caring about sleeping around and getting hammered on the weekends. And since the dawn of time, girls have thrown themselves at these types of boys without any realization that they might not have their best interests in mind. I am here to vouch for the wonderful genuine brothers that are sometimes neglected and overshadowed by these negative reputations.

I am blessed to be able to claim one of these rare treasures as my boyfriend, it makes college a breeze and a worry-free experience. Now in order to be able to label my boyfriend as a non-stereotypical frat boy, yes I have dated stereotypical frat boys and they were terrible so yes I can distinguish the differences. Mainly being that one was a scumbag and one is a gentleman.

When dating or "talking to" a scumbag, you most likely always have to text him first and you are always hearing rumors of him going out with another girl that night he had a "study group for Macro". Your "relationship" is constantly on the rocks and you never know if he is going to find someone else and never talk to you again. He always wants you to "meet him" at the party but its not because he doesn't want to be seen with you, its definitely because he didn't have room in his spacious SUV. He's too busy to hang out during the day, but hey he is majoring in Business Law, that'll be nice if you ever make it past the 'introduction as his friend' stage. You keep seeing the name 'Madi' pop up on his phone, maybe that's his sister, its not like you've met his family. I mean, y'all have only been "talking" for three months. Will he ask you to formal, or that social? Who knows? You still aren't official. Your name is just your first name in his phone, no emojis or any nicknames. And God forbid he take a picture with you, he doesn't like posting on Instagram anyways right? I mean unless its about the game, or that party, or his family, or the deer he shot. You anxiously await the day he gives you a detailed compliment, does a cute favor for you, asks you out officially, or says he loves you, but in the wise words of Hilary Duff, "Waiting for you is like waiting for rain in this drought. Useless and disappointing."

When dating a gentleman, you don't worry about him when you aren't with him. He respects the relationship you both share and understands that honesty, trust and faithfulness aren't options, they are requirements for a functioning happy relationship. There are never any secrets between the two of you. And you never have any sneaky suspicions of another girl or that he's doing something behind your back. He's dedicated and would never do anything to sabotage what you two have. You're never a hassle that has to be budgeted into his busy schedule. He makes time for you and prioritizes you above everything (except chapter and class, because they're mandatory).

The "talking stage" was never even in discussion, you won his heart immediately, there was no need for an in-between stage for "his security" in case it didn't work out. You were introduced to his mother almost immediately, gentlemen know how important family is. He has hundreds of pictures of you stored in his phone, you are all over his social media and even his lock screen. And all without you asking him to, how nice. He will surprise you with rush/function shirts in a large and comfortable size you can sport with your favorite Norts and tell you that you look beautiful even on days you didn't have time to brush your hair. You can say "I love you" in front of his friends and not stress if he is going to say it back because you know he does and he doesn't care who knows it. If you are ever being moody he knows a Reese's cup or two will win over your entire day. He knows exactly how you tick and there is never an awkward moment. You two mix well, simple as that. A gentleman is truly the only way to go.

So before you go and say there aren't any good, down-to-earth men out there that are in fraternities, there are, you just have to learn from your mistakes and know the difference between a gentleman and a scumbag.

P.S. The gentleman is probably not the one drunkenly complimenting you at the bar, find a more romantic location when searching for your Romeo.

This is what a true gentleman looks like, but don't get any ideas, he's happily taken.