As a junior, I'm experiencing my first sorority recruitment from the other side. Seeing all these girls excited about joining a sorority has made me think about my own experience a year ago, and how much I've changed since then. Being in my sorority was the first thing that I've paid for on my own, and I don't regret the money I've put into this. I think that independence is a reason why these girls mean so much to me.

Last year, I was an orientation leader and as such, I hung out with a lot of other orientation leaders. A lot of the OLs were also in Greek Life, and even though I should have known the affiliation of the RGs who were OLs, I didn't and I think that made it better.

But anyway, after being around all these Greek Life people, and seeing how excited they were about our first Greek event Greekapalooza, I decided on a whim to go through recruitment. I mean... Why not? Worst case, I came out of it meeting a ton of new girls, not only the sorority girls, but other girls going through, and I got food, and I dressed up (I love to dress up. below is me on preference night). So, I did it. And it was great. I went to most of the informal rounds, and all of the formal rounds, and it was just fun. I got to see what sorority life was all about.

Let me point out that I never had any intention of ACTUALLY joining. I mean, I had heard all this crap about sororities, why would I want to be in one. But over the course of formal recruitment, I met girls who seemed to really love me for me. I was being myself and I had met a group of people who loved that. On preference, I cried, just like everyone says you will, and you don't believe it... I did. I just saw this group of people who seemed to really care. On Bid day, I didn't even get to go. I had a rugby game, and then a retreat for a class, so I missed it, but I decided to accept. All on a whim.

After bid day, I went all in being a pledge in Theta, and it's something I will never regret. I met so many girls that I am proud to call my sisters. I met my big, who I never thought I would be so close to. I became a part of something bigger than myself.

I know this all sounds corny and something every sorority girl would say, but I never thought about a sorority like this before I was a part of it. I had every mindset that sorority life would be everything like the movies, but it isn't.

New members, welcome to Greek Life and though you may not be best friends with every girl, you will find your niche here. Greek life will help show you how amazing you are. It will give you the confidence to reach for your goals, and the support to fall back on when you fail. I have no regrets, I know you won't either.