I received many different responses from friends and family when I said I was joining a sorority. I got some negative reactions, but most people were happy and supportive of me. I have many different reasons why I decided to join a sorority and I made a list to share. I hope this list is helpful if you are considering joining a sorority or if someone you know is and you need to understand why they might be making that decision.

1. To get more involved on campus

I wasn’t involved on campus my freshman year of college. I joined the honors college coming into college, but other than that I didn’t join anything else. I made the decision to focus on my grades and get adjusted to college life my first year. I don’t regret the decision, but this year I’ve made the effort to get more involved on campus and join different organizations. Joining a sorority is only one of the many things I’ve decided to become a part of this year and I’m glad I did.

2. To volunteer more

Volunteering and doing service work was a big part of my high school experience. I loved the places I volunteered at and the people I interacted with through the organizations were incredible. Since coming to college, I haven’t found the opportunity or place to donate my time. I’m excited to have more volunteer opportunities through my sorority and to help raise money for an amazing charity. I love my sorority’s philanthropy and I am truly passionate about it. I can’t wait to be able to help such a good cause.

3. To meet more people

A lot of people say when you join a sorority, you’re just paying for your friends. Yes, I do have 200 more friends now than I did before, but I’m not paying to be in a sorority for the friends. That is an extra perk. Being in a sorority does give me the opportunity to meet new people and get to know some awesome women. I love connecting with people and getting to know them. Now I have 200 girls who I can truly get to know and be sisters with.

4. To gain leadership experience

Leadership experience is a nice thing to have on a resume, but it’s also good for development as a person. The leadership experience I had in high school and as a summer camp counselor helped me grow tremendously. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without the opportunities I’ve had to be a leader. Being in a sorority will give me more experience as a leader. I hope to have an officer position in my sorority where I can prove myself and learn more about myself.

5. To become part of a tradition

My sorority has been around for 150 years. In those 150 years, there is a lot of tradition and sisterhood. I am so glad I can join such a rich history of leading women. The women who founded my sorority were pioneers for women and they could never have imagined what they started. They gave so many women the path to grow and experience new things with other women by their side. I can’t wait to be able to continue the tradition of my sorority and to maybe even be a legacy to the women of the future.

These are just some of the reasons I decided to join a sorority. I hope they helped you in deciding to join a sorority or understanding why someone you know might decide to join one. I am so excited to be a charter class member of the Gamma Sigma chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta! I can’t wait for all the experiences and opportunities I can experience from such an amazing sisterhood! TLAM!