As a sorority girl at my small, rural Pennsylvania campus, I can honestly tell you not a day goes by where I'm not thankful for the girls, the experiences, and the memories deciding to go Greek has given me. I'm by far a better person than I was before I pledged all thanks to my amazing sorority. However, I'm fully aware that joining Greek Life isn’t for everyone. Also, I know that sorority stereotypes exist and those of us involved with Greek Life are painted negatively more often than not by the media. They highlight the rare hazing scandals rather than the countless hours of community service and all the money that's raised for philanthropy. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. If you never choose to rush, more power to you. You do you. But you'll never be an expert on Greek Life, because, well, you never joined. From the outside looking in, you can never understand it. To the girl who didn’t rush, there are some misconceptions about your article I’d like to clear up.

1. You don’t have to “belong”.

I have one phrase for you. “Individually unique, together complete”. Just because you rush doesn’t mean you’re giving up your identity. You don’t have to own a pair of wedges, have waist-length blonde hair, be rail-skinny, or do Zumba. You don’t have to party on the weekends and/or drink alcohol if you don’t want to. Sororities aren’t cults! Just because you’re a part of an organization doesn’t mean you have to give up being yourself to be a member. We accept girls of all backgrounds, colors, shapes, and sizes. And if you come across a sorority who for some reason doesn’t accept those, then they’re entirely in the wrong. There are so many chapters out there who will want you for you! Because they feel that you will make a great addition to their group and will be able to carry on the traditions and uphold their sorority in a positive way when they graduate.

2. Sorority Moms

There will always be people who are exceptions to the rule. It’s true, there are some women to whom money is everything. They gossip and beg their daughters to do things. They are in everyone’s business and put people down. There are some who live in Lilly Pulitzer and seem like they’ll never move on from college life. There are women like this who were never members of Greek Life and there are those who were. Just because you've experienced some women like that doesn't mean they're an accurate description of all or even most "sorority moms". I know a ton of great women who are sorority alumni as well as mothers and they do NOT act this way. They’re independent and lead successful lives. Because guess what? Sorority life teaches you to be a leader, to be independent and to work well with others within a group, to strive for greatness, and excel above average. Not every “sorority mom” fits into a cookie-cutter stereotype.

3. The Money

We all know college is expensive. As students, most of us struggle to make ends meet here and there. But I'm sure you didn't know less than 2% of average college expenses go toward membership dues. Depending on where you attend school and what chapter you join will determine how much you’ll pay. Yes, some dues are pricier than others. However, most sorority dues, mine included, are extremely affordable and my chapter even gives me the option to set up a payment plan if I can’t front the bill all at once. People will work with you if you want to make it happen. Also, have you ever heard of fundraising? My chapter holds multiple fundraisers every semester to raise money for our sorority. It’s possible to fundraise enough to cover all of your dues if you want to.

4. College is clean slate no matter what

Let me say this a little louder for the people in the back. You DO NOT have to fit certain characteristics to rush! We are all individuals and sorority life applauds all of our differences while also bonding us together to share in something special. Just because you thought you were “a total dork” and were “part of the band” in high school does not mean you don’t have the option to join Greek Life. To even think so is crazy. College is still a clean slate whether or not you pledge. It’s what you make of it.

5. Your attendance at social gatherings is your choice

A common misconception about going Greek is that you have little to no time for your studies, which is completely false. In fact, the Greek GPA is higher than the overall collegiate GPA. We have to maintain decent academic standing to be able to continue as members. The semester I pledged I made the Dean’s List. It’s all about how you balance your life. Joining Greek Life is just like joining any other organization on campus. We all know that college students are hella busy. Mixers and formals are completely voluntary. If you have a big test coming up then it’s totally fine if you choose to stay in and study. After all, school comes first.

6. The process of rushing

I know Greek Life isn't for everyone, but if you never try you’ll never know. Prior to college I never would've thought in a million years that I would join a sorority. I had only seen the negative things the media portrays about it. But as soon as I went to an interest party I knew that was where I belonged. Those girls would soon be my family and that house my home. If you never allow yourself to get out there and see what rushing is about how will you truly know it’s not for you? Don’t knock it before you try it.

7. The stigma

Just because you’re a member of a certain organization doesn’t mean you’re not an individual first. Any sensible person should realize the poor actions of one person do not reflect the responsible ones of another. Most, if not all, sororities have a standards or judicial board where if they feel a certain sister is not portraying herself and her chapter in a positive light she is given a reminder to do so. It’s true, you’re always wearing your letters once you join even if you're not physically wearing them. So unless your sorority just absolutely did not care about the way their members acted in public (highly unlikely), there’s a slim chance your potential employer is going to lump you in with people who made questionable decisions before they even remember your name. Let's not forget that 43 of 50 of America’s largest corporations are run by Greek Life alumni and 85% of Fortune 500 executives were members of Greek life as well. Going Greek teaches you valuable interpersonal and leadership skills that employers are searching for.

8. Time commitment

As previously mentioned, college is all about time management and balance. You can still be an Honors student and make the decision to pledge. To say that you have to choose is completely asinine. That’s not what Greek Life is about. We want you to excel at everything you do and follow your dreams. There are many A+ students out there who are also involved in a bunch of different activities. There are times where I’ll spend all day in the library studying because I need to; my commitment to my schoolwork is not in any way harmed because of my membership. If anything, going Greek has given me the opportunity to learn how to effectively manage my time. Had I not joined, I really don’t think I would be the student I am today and learning how to “college” would have been an even greater struggle. I am confident that going Greek has equipped me with vital skills I will take with me once I graduate.

Ultimately, the choice to rush or not to rush is entirely yours. You do what you feel is best for you. However, if you have the slightest interest or even if you don’t I encourage you to at least try the Recruitment process to see if it’s something worth doing. You never know, you could end up falling in love with a particular chapter like I did and never look back.