Recently, a good friend of mine at a different school started her rush process with a few misconceptions because she only had what she had seen in the media to compare it to. Here are some common myths about Greek life debunked. 

Myth #1: You have to be super wealthy to be in a house: This is just blatantly not true. Each house offers scholarships to help afford dues, living, etc. I don't know about other schools but it is actually cheaper to live in your house at Cornell than it is to live on campus. If you're worried about affording other things like clothes or fancy jewelry, one of the greatest things about being in a sorority is now you have 50 closets to shop in for free. 

Myth #2: Hazing: Cornell has a very strict zero tolerance policy on hazing. Many television shows and moves show girls self-esteem being ripped apart for the purpose of hazing, but that is not what a sorority is about. As part of a sorority your sisters are there to lift you up, not tear you down. 

Myth #3: Being a member of a house is time consuming: You get to shape your experience in the house. You can be as involved or not involved as you want. Yes, there are chapter meetings you need to attend, but those are only about an hour a week and there's nothing better than seeing every single member of your house in one place. If you do want to dedicate a lot of time to your house however, there are plenty of ways to get involved. You can run for an executive position or just be an active member at as many events as you want. 

Myth #4: Being Greek is about parties: There is so much more to being Greek than going out at night. I have made some of the most amazing friendships with my sisters. Not to mention the philanthropy events, alumni connections, and leadership opportunities being in a house provides. 

Myth #5: All your friends are in your chapter: A lot of media shows sororities as little cliques. One of the great things about having rush in the spring is that you have all of your first semester to make friends that may not be in your house. Even after you join a house it is so easy to make friends in other chapters or friends who aren't Greek. Next year I'm living in an apartment with two girls in other sororities and one who isn't Greek. Everyone has great friends both within and outside their houses. 

You can't take everything you see on television seriously. Real life is so much better than fiction.