I often find myself talking up my school's Greek life and getting surprised responses when I explain how it works. I get asked if you need "letters of recommendation" to go through recruitment, to which I respond, "I signed up the day before recruitment."

My school does not focus as much on the extreme aspects of recruitment. That, however, does not mean we don't take our Greek life seriously. I would argue that we take it more seriously than other schools. We really strive to uphold our standards and create a positive image for ourselves. We are not concerned with material possessions, but strive to find individuals who represent our values well. As a community, we actively try and break the stereotypes that are attached to being Greek.

Greek life, while very different from TV, is not always "pure." The reality is that a lot of systems further the negative connotations that come with the words "sorority" and "fraternity." There are a plethora of reasons why I am thankful not to be a part of a system that does this.

1. Hazing is not an issue compared to other schools.

I cannot speak for fraternities, but I know that during my first year in my sorority, I never experienced anything of the sort. I am very comfortable in saying that I was not hazed. In fact, I was almost "anti-hazed" by being showered with gifts and put in the beginning of every line for food. On our campus I have heard very scattered tales of sororities hazing their new members. Yes, it happens here and there, but overall it is not an issue in our system and I am more than proud to say that.

2. Our chapters have a genuine sisterhood/brotherhood.

There is not a woman in my sorority that I couldn't call for help. I am surrounded by 100 women who would give me an arm and a leg if I needed it. Because our Greek life is smaller here than at other schools, we have smaller chapters. A lot of members can't say that they have a relationship with all of their sisters/brothers. I may not be best friends with them all, really just because that is impossible, but I have a significant memory with each and every person. The support that is given among chapters is incredible, and I witness it every day.

3. We have a bigger appreciation of ritual and tradition.

There are cases where people want to join a chapter just because of their name or their rank. Here, that is not a goal. You find your home, and it is based off of a lot more than who looks the hottest. I chose my chapter because I wanted to be in a place that represented themselves with integrity and really valued our traditions. Ritual is extremely special to each chapter on our campus and something we never take lightly. Initiation was the most special day of my life, not because I was ready to be done with my New Member period, but because I knew I was entering something truly unique. I take great pride in our ritual secrets and find comfort in the fact that I know all of my sisters do as well.

4. Our system preaches individuality instead of being exactly the same.

As a school we are very positive and open-minded, but I see this motif carry across our Greek life too. I have heard plenty of people say they are scared to join a fraternity because they are of a different race or a part of the LGBT community. It breaks my heart to know there are chapters in this world who are responsible for creating that stereotype. Our system does not want the person you think you have to be. We want you. I know that no one in my chapter would ever have to hide who they were just so they could be in our sisterhood. Our system thrives on our diversity. We strive to treat being black or being gay as a non-issue because it is not and should not ever be an issue in our community.

5. Greek unity is taken to another level.

A few months ago, the Greek community at my school lost a wonderful girl. I did not know her, but heard nothing but positive remarks about her. During this time, our Greeks came together in full support of this chapter. The unity we have almost 100 percent of the time is outstanding. Rank is not huge at our school because we try and look at more things than that. It is very rare that I pass by girls from other chapters and have negative encounters with them. Some of my best friends are in different chapters as well. I think that one of the most special parts of our system is the support and unity we make it a goal to have.

There is an insane amount of negative press about Greek life recently and I am so happy that I have not experienced anything that is being said. I think our system is very underrated and does not get enough recognition for the way we uphold ourselves. Too much of the time people get caught up in the news and assume all chapters must be like that. I am grateful to break the stereotype and know there are many other schools that have systems like ours. We do not just wear our letters, we are our letters and aim to shed positive light on them everyday.