Very early on in my high school career, I told myself I would never be a part of Greek life.

I searched for colleges that didn't have any so I wouldn't even be near it. I don't know exactly why I never wanted to come into contact with people affiliated with letters of the Greek alphabet, but I can pinpoint it to portrayal in the media.

Fraternities and Sororities in the media are almost always depicted as heavy drinkers, partiers, and the "pretty" people, as they have been defined in my life. These people in the media that are in Greek life are shown as lesser in knowledge than others, but more wealthy than others. The way that it was depicted, I never wanted to be affiliated with it, I never thought I could be either.

Growing up, I was picked on and bullied for my size. Someone somewhere always had to comment on what I look like, and tell me that I needed to lose weight to be pretty. I had heard about the horrors of sorority recruitment from my mother. When she would walk around campus, she would see girls were lined up outside sorority houses. Sorority members would go around with clipboards and look at the girls' bodies, judging if they were physically attractive enough to join their sorority. I had also heard of the hazing that went on in Greek life, and I was so scared that it could happen to me. So that's why I searched for a school without Greek life.

Ithaca's lack of Greek Life was one of the appeals of going there for me. When we got there, however, I found out that there were fraternities. And I had never even heard of a sorority until the second semester of my Freshman year, when a flyer was slipped under my door. I quickly sent it to my friends, asking if anyone wanted to go to the event being hosted by the sorority. We all went, despite my fear of not being let in because of my physical appearance. Upon arriving, I could immediately tell that this sorority was not like those I had seen in the media or been told about by adults. The members were genuine, kind, and inviting. So when one of my friends decided to Rush, I decided to join her.

I never expected to get a bid from the Sisters So when I saw my door decorated in the hallway, I broke down crying. I never thought I would be able to do something like rush a sorority, and many people didn't believe that I could either. I am so lucky to have been able to become a Sister of Gamma Delta Pi. The lack of confidence that I had before joining is gone, as I am much more confident now that I have done something many people never thought I could do. Becoming a Sister was hard work, but it definitely paid off in the end. And while I never dreamed that I could join Gamma Delta Pi, they make feel like I've always been a Sister.

As I've learned, Greek Life is nothing it's portrayed in the media. And I urge you to become a part of it, if you can. Even though I was hesitant and scared before, becoming a sister of Gamma Delta Pi has changed my life for the better.