Let's face it: sorority life certainly isn't for everyone. In the same way, Chi Omega isn't the sorority for everyone.

I've wanted to be a Chi Omega my whole life. My mom and aunt were both members of the Theta Kappa chapter, and after hearing them talk about all the fun they had spending four years with their sisters, it seemed like a no-brainer. I wanted to be part of a club where I would immediately have 200 best friends when I joined, and we would hang out all the time and always do everything together. How mistaken I was when I believed that being a member of Chi Omega would be all fun and games. Today, I know that this isn't correct - and I know I am all the better for it.

You see, Chi Omega is so much more than a social club of giggling girls. It's a group of women growing together, working together, and living amongst one another. It's not something to jump into without looking first. It definitely isn't for the faint of heart. 

Chi Omega may not be for you if you aren't looking to be challenged in all areas of your life. Never in my life have I been stretched to my limits in the way that my sisters push me. They have prayed over me, asked me really tough questions, peacefully confronted me when they weren't happy with me and told me the truth when I asked them to do so. 

Chi Omega isn't for you if you like predictability. I can't tell you how many last minute road trips, midnight tea parties / study sessions, and surprise birthday parties have happened over the past two years. We pride ourselves on being ready for anything. Chi Omegas are nothing if not spontaneous.

Chi Omega isn't the place you belong if you think tradition is stupid (for lack of a better word). There are so many rituals, both old and not-so-old, that are part of what make our group unique. Significance lies in every aspect of our traditions. The longer I am a Chi Omega, the more appreciation I have for the reasons behind everything we do. 

Chi Omega isn't the place for you if you aren't interested in service. Through this group, I've had more service opportunities than I can count. Chi O's national philanthropy is The Make-A-Wish Foundation, and because of this, I have gotten to participate in fundraising efforts to send sick children on amazing trips. This summer, I am interning with the foundation and would never have thought to apply for this job if not for the close involvement of my sorority. Chi Omega do

Chi Omega isn't for you if you don't want a chance to lead. As a new initiate, I observed our president and her exec members with awe. I never thought I would have a chance to stand up in front of my sisters and have the power to make decisions that would change the way our group does things. I have learned much better communication, delegation, and planning skills over just one semester on leadership. I have had the opportunity to discover what kind of leader I am and have had the honor of maturing and growing among other incredible leaders. One of the best things about Chi Omega is the ability each woman has to learn about herself through leading others.

Most of all, Chi Omega isn't for you if you aren't looking for a real, honest-to-goodness, lifelong community. We are a flawed group of humans bonded together by traditions, ritual, and a common desire to love one another. This love manifests itself in random cookie deliveries on a hard test week, holding someone while she cries, jumping in the car and screaming the words to songs out the window, running around the house with no clothes on and no inhibitions, telling your roommate when the scary part of the movie is coming so that she can hide under the blanket, rousing yourself from a deep sleep to go help a friend when she calls you at 2 a.m - the list goes on and on. Though we will inevitably fail each other, we know how to forgive and forget. We are all so completely different, but somehow all of us together works. The beauty of us lies in our individuality, not our similarities. If you're looking for surface-level acquaintances with fake girls, you should take your search elsewhere.

These are the biggest reasons Chi Omega IS for me. If you're about to head off to college for the first time, I hope you find similar reasons to join (or not join) a sorority. I hope wherever you find yourself, you are challenged, loved, led and changed by a group every bit as incredible as my Chi Omega girls.