Whether you are embarking on your first year in college, commencing your final year, or you are situated anywhere in between, joining Greek life could benefit you in many ways. While the media has created its own darkened image of fraternities and sororities, those in Greek Life know this not to be true. While I could list endless positives that joining Greek Life has provided me, I will limit this list to my top 11 benefits starting with...
#11 Social Events
One of the more well-known benefits of joining a Greek organization is the increase of the amount of social interactions you will have with those in your organization and in other Greek organizations. Sisterhood/Brotherhood events are often held with members of the chapter in order to create cohesion in the organization. Socials are also held between Greek organizations to get to know those in other chapters on your campus. These are a great way to meet and connect with other students in Greek life.
#10 Interminable Support
When joining a sorority, I assumed I was becoming a member of just another organization similar to the ones I was involved in during high school. I was partially correct in terms of the opportunities my sorority opened for me, but I did not know I would receive support from each and every sister. I have over 80 women I can call at any time of the night, with any problem, knowing they will answer. My sisters are my family on-campus, helping me make it through all of the highs and lows of college.
#9 Academics
In every Greek organization there is a minimum grade point average members must maintain to hold their position in the chapter. Each grade point average is different for each organization, but this ensures academic conquest as a pillar of importance in the Greek community. Often times study sessions are held with members of the chapter to make sure members are focusing on the importance of their schoolwork.
#8 Scholarship
There are multiple scholarships available for members of Greek organizations, both internally and externally. My sorority offers leadership scholarships as well as financial aid to sisters who apply through our international council. These scholarships are available because individuals realize the amount of hard work it takes to be a full time student and to be actively involved in Greek life.
#7 Campus Involvement
Greek organizations are highly involved on campus. The amount of involvement depends of both the size of the school, and the personality of the chapter. Some chapters are more involved than others, but overall Greek life constantly contributes to college campuses. From volunteering for events, to hosting student involvement opportunities, members of Greek organizations can be seen helping across campus.
#6 Community Service
As well as being involved on campus, Greek organizations strive for high community involvement. Community service is done throughout the year in many different areas. From cleaning trash off of roads to donating time to local events, Greek life is the largest volunteer network doing over 10 million hours of service each year.
#5 Leadership Opportunities
Along with being leaders on campus, Greek organizations offer ample opportunities to explore leadership positions. Within each chapter there is an executive board or council in charge of every aspect of the organization. This provides members with real experience running events and meetings. Depending on what position is held, sisters or bothers can be in charge of anything from financial aspects of the organization to communicating with their national council. The possibilities of leadership are truly endless when it comes to Greek life.
#4 Core Values
Each Greek organization has a different set of values, pillars, or ideals that they have built their institution upon. When joining a Greek organization it is important to feel connected to those values. One of the reasons I joined my sorority was due to the values each sister held in their hearts and actively tried to practice. These values have taught me what I truly value and the type of women I strive to be.
#3 Networking
There are over 9 million Greeks alone in the United States, not including international Greek chapters. Each Greek organization has a network of alumni who are actively in the workforce, and are open to connecting sisters to future career possibilities. About 85% of fortune 500 executives and all except 3 United States presidents are alumni of Greek organizations. When planning for the future it is easy to see that by joining a Greek organization you will have ample networking resources.
#2 Philanthropy
Each Greek organization has a philanthropic charity that they strive to raise money for each year. Chapters will host events on an off campus to raise money for the charities as well as volunteer for the organization itself. Over 7 million dollars is raised by the Greek community each year for many deserving philanthropies.
#1 Sisterhood/Brotherhood
The one thing I never knew I would get when I joined my sorority was a family. All of the strong and independent women I have the honor of calling my sisters will never know how grateful I am for them. For all the laughs after class, late nights in the library, life advice at 2 a.m., and infinitely more, I am proud to call each and every one of them my sister.
“My heart goes out to each and every sister; I crave for them the best and noblest in this life.”
– Helen M Dodge, 1924
