The stereotypes behind Greek life have been more than just prevalent in the news within the past few years. Stories of the awful, disrespectful actions have flooded our timelines, encouraging collegians to do anything but join these organizations.

What the news fails to speak about is the philanthropic giving, community service, brother/sisterhood, high academic standards, and life-changing experiences that these organizations provide to its members. These groups that have been deep rooted in American history, dating back to the establishment of Phi Beta Kappa Society in 1776.

People will often see Greeks on their campus passing out fliers, hosting fundraisers, and recruiting other collegians to join their organization. Contrary to the common belief, most people in college say that they have "no interest in joining" or "don't see a point in joining". But why is that?

For organizations that offer so much to their members, it should be something that everyone wants to do, right? You rarely hear of someone that "went Greek" and decided it was a mistake. Most members of Greek organizations say it was the best thing they ever did in college.

But to the outside world, it seems like members of sororities and fraternities are in their own little bubble. That they don't take the time to make friends outside of Greek life and are quick to judge those that are not. That they only care about getting drunk on the weekends. That it's more important to post pictures about their events than the event themselves. As the saying goes, "from the outside looking in, you can't understand it. From the inside looking out, you can't explain it."

Here are some reasons that the non-Greek world perceives Greeks as being "cliquey".

They focus on academic growth and maintaining a high G.P.A.

Almost all Greek organizations have a minimum GPA requirement, often times at least above a 2.50. These members have "study tables" which allows members to get together to do homework in a quiet environment, to encourage productive study habits. Most men and women in Greek organizations place a very high value on their education and their success after their college days are over.

They do group community service events as an organization or with other organizations.

Greek groups on campus almost always have a minimum amount of community service hours that they must complete each semester. To make a difference in their local communities, many will choose a local non-profit organization that they spend a lot of time volunteering for and donating funds to. Greeks will set up days of service, where anyone can come and do service with them. Sororities and fraternities will work together to volunteer, because we are all committed to giving back to our community.

They have multiple fundraisers to give back to their established philanthropies, not for their own personal benefit.

Along with volunteering, most Greek organizations have one or more non-profit organizations that they raise money for all year long. These can be established at a national level (for all chapters across America) or at a local level (just within their university). Thousands and thousands of dollars are raised every year for hundreds of organizations that need the extra help. Sorority and fraternity members support each other by going to their events and donating money to not only their own, but other Greeks' philanthropies.

They see "brotherhood" and "sisterhood" as something more valuable than just being friends.

These men and women form bonds that are tied more closely than normal friendships. A "sister" is someone that you can argue with and still be friends after. A "brother" is someone that builds you up and makes you into the best possible version of yourself. These people are the most supportive of each other, because no one gets left behind. There is more than just friendship here: it is a deep kind of love that makes each individual member strive to be the best sister or brother that they can be. They are called families for a reason.

They share the same values and life purposes.

Each Greek organization has rituals that reveal the core values, hidden meanings, and main purposes for their fraternity/ sorority. There is a reason that someone chooses one sorority over another one, likewise with fraternities. Because they see the values and morals of those sisters/brothers and see a personal connection. This is why sisterhood/brotherhood is so strong. These members strive to live up to their values and help other members do the same, every single day.

They work together to fight hazing and drinking stereotypes about Greek life.

It is ignorant to say that every single member of every single sorority and fraternity in America only cares about drinking. It is similarly unfair to assume that just because an organization says that they don't haze, doesn't mean that things don't happen behind closed doors. People in Greek life support each other and look for growth in members, not the opposite. Greeks recognize that hazing is demoralizing and drinking every single night is damaging, (they are intelligent members of high standards, remember?) Sororities and fraternities work together to push the message that there is so much more to the college experience of Greek life than what the world likes to see.

Their alumni are great resources for networking and post-college development.

"It's not for four years, it's for life." Alumni are just as much members as the actives, only they work to provide opportunities and learning in a variety of ways. There are alumni associations set up, specifically to support the local university chapters to help the members grow and become the men and women that they are working so hard to become.

They are advocates for many issues relevant all over the world.

The passions seen in the men and women for so many great causes are channeled through the support of their brothers and sisters. If one sister is a strong advocate of animal rights, there will be 15 other sisters going to an event with her to support that cause. We all work together to change the world and make a difference, something that most human are concerned about. Many universities also adopt campaigns that all Greek organizations will be on board with. For example, Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, MI has a group "Greeks Against Sexual Assault" which has adopted the "It's On Us" campaign to educate and take a stand against sexual assault. There are hundreds of other causes that Greeks all over the country support and work to make a difference with.

They create the best and most beneficial memories in collegians that cannot be found anywhere else.

Whether it's getting Taco Bell at 2:00 AM or crafting all day on a Sunday, the countless memories that these men and women have are hard to replace. Everything from pulling all-nighters with your other Greek classmates, to going to fundraising events, to getting lunch with your Greek family, to having socials with other organizations creates a college experience that could not have occurred any other way.

The people you meet in college are the ones they say will be in your life forever. The ones in your wedding, the ones that will bring their kids over for play-dates, and the ones that will be there when you feel like you have no one. There will always be someone to lift you up, to make you smile, and tell you how glad they are that they joined a Greek organization so that you could be in their life.