Registering for sorority recruitment can be one of the most exciting moments in a girl's college experience. Sorority life is more than what you see in the movies and in the news and it is important to know your facts before you decide that it's the life for you.
One of the most important deciding factors in choosing a chapter is cost. Dues are extremely important and it's helpful to know what you're paying for. In each chapter you pay monthly to be part of the organization along with a few other charges like t-shirts, your pin, and things of that nature. When you're a new member your dues are usually higher than initiated members because you will have an initiation fee as well as paying for your badge. But the semester after you're initiated you will usually pay the same amount as the rest of your initiated sisters. Every chapter is different in how much they make you pay so that is something to pay careful attention to when going through rounds.
Being in a sorority takes a lot of time. Not only do you have to attend your weekly chapter meeting, you will also have sisterhood events, philanthropy events, other chapters' events, and sometimes fun things like retreats. You may need to think about how much free time you have to be devoting to your chapter while also maintaining your grades and other possible clubs you're involved in. Missing mandatory events can result in a fine, so make sure that your job is willing to be flexible when you need to take time off for chapter events.
If you're extremely serious about joining a sorority, that probably means that you've done research on all of the chapters on your campus and decided which one is at the top of your list. However, they might look good on paper (Instagram, Twitter, TSM, etc.) but once you meet the girls on your campus you might change your mind. Every chapter is different and you might enter their round and walk out hating the chapter you had at the top of your list. Keep an open mind and visit every chapter/house because they will probably change the opinion you had of them going into it.
Think about what you want to get from a sorority. If you're only rushing because you think it will get you all the hot guys, don't rush. If you're rushing because you want into all of the campus parties, don't rush. The bottom line of a sorority is sisterhood- friendship bound by common ties. Go through recruitment because you want to get involved in your community, you want to support charity, and you want to meet new people. If you're in it for the right reasons then you're going to enjoy yourself.
Most importantly, don't overthink it! Go into each round with an open mind and be yourself. Don't worry about acting the way you think the girls want you to, because if you have to act like someone you're not in order to join a chapter then maybe that group of girls isn't for you. You will walk into a house and know that that's home for you. You will have a genuine connection with people and feel like that is where you're supposed to be and it's a really great feeling. Sorority recruitment is a really great experience, but the experiences you gain with your new sisters mean even more.
Do you go to Wright State University and are interested in going Greek? Sign up here!
