I didn’t plan on joining a sorority. In fact, it wasn’t even something I had even considered while I was in high school. I’d seen the movies — that wasn’t me at all! I was a “books not looks” person (shoutout to Mrs. Wormwood from Matilda for that one), a sorority was not the right place for me. Paying to be part of a clique where I didn’t fit in? No thanks.

When I got to MIT, the number of Greek letters I saw all around campus was overwhelming. Letters chalked on sidewalks, emblazoned across T-shirts, and on doors all around the dorms, but the most striking thing was the diversity within the sororities. I decided to go through formal recruitment on a whim, figuring that it couldn’t hurt to talk to people and get more information.

As I went through recruitment, I was amazed at the stories I was hearing from all these women who were diverse in looks, interests, and majors but united in their love for their sorority and all they had gained from the experience. It sounded like a support system I could definitely benefit from at MIT where everything was unknown and extremely difficult.

I found a group of women I clicked with by the time bid day came around, and I was excited and nervous. I was greeted with a million hugs from girls I had talked to, and felt reassured immediately. I noticed people in the room who I wanted to get to know better, people I knew really well and already liked, and people I wanted to be more like--a thrilling environment to say the least!

I soon realized just what a wonderful community I had become part of. When I was struggling in a class, an older sister who was a TA set aside time with me to explain the concepts and do practice problems with me until it made sense. When I was having a rough time, a sister brought me ice cream and other junk food and we watched Friends together until I felt a little better. I found a big and a little who I connect with on a deep level--sharing passions ranging from art to Harry Potter to social justice. I’m part of a family line that sticks together long after graduation--I got incredible career advice from my big^4, who graduated when I was in high school but still made the time to talk to me at length about school, jobs, and life. I’ve laughed until my sides hurt with sisters, I’ve cried at all the hurt in the world with sisters, I’ve done homework with sisters, I’ve goofed off when I should have been doing homework with sisters, I’ve made whipped cream moustaches with sisters, and I’ve had productive discussions about the discomfort that often comes with being a woman in a STEM workplace with sisters.

Most recently, I’ve been able to take on leadership roles within the sorority. I marvel at how quickly time goes by when a younger sister mentions looking up to me, the way I look up to older sisters. I realize that I wouldn’t be the woman I am today had I not been open-minded about sororities and the recruitment process.

To any woman on the fence about recruitment, I encourage you to make the leap. It’s not perfect for everyone, but you never know unless you try! I tried, and it’s made all the difference.