When I finally decided where I wanted to go to college, I knew that Greek life was a big deal there. Auburn has a very big Greek life program and it is something that around 40% of students choose to participate in during their time there. When I sent in my deposit and said I was officially going to Auburn, I knew I wanted to join a sorority. Many of the girls from my high school were also choosing to go through recruitment at other universities and when I chose Auburn I was dating a guy who wanted me to be in a sorority. The boy broke up with me and a lot of things in my life changed. I registered for recruitment anyway. If I decided it wasn't for me, I would simply drop out.

Over the summer I bought my outfits for recruitment and moved in early to participate in recruitment. I was genuinely excited. Walking into my first party, I was terrified. It was so loud that I couldn't hear the girl I was talking to and we had a not-so-good conversation. I walked out more hopeful for my next party. I had a great time at my next party and hoped the rest of the day would be even better. By the end of the first two days and the first round, I was exhausted. I was hopeful to see which sororities invited me back.

The next day I was shocked to see that I had only been asked back to 6 out of 18 sororities. What?! How could that be? Am I that unattractive? Am I that undesirable? I was upset and scared. I had been dropped from all of my favorite sororities, and I didn't know what I was going to do next. Luckily, I still had some that I still liked. By the third round, I only had two left. Only two. I walked back to my dorm after picking up my schedule for the days in tears. I was heartbroken. I had one sorority left that I really loved. I knew that I had to make a connection with that party. I walked in that afternoon scared to death.

Big Little RevealAnne Marie Bonadio

I was so thankful when I saw that sorority on the list for the final day of recruitment. I made sure those girls knew I wanted to be there. I could feel that they wanted me there and I felt comfortable there. When I opened my bid and saw that name, I knew I was home. Everyone told me during the week to trust the process and during the week I didn't believe them. At the end of the week I was so glad that I did. I ended up in the exact right place and everyone else I talked to felt that they did too.

The girls in my sorority have become some of my best friends. They are always there for me no matter what and they're always there to fall back on. I am in love with my sorority and everything we do. They are a great group of girls and I'm so thankful that they took a chance on me and allowed me to join their amazing sisterhood. So, if you are thinking about joining a sorority, I encourage you to consider it and find out for yourself the place that you can call home. You won't regret it.

PJ PartyAnne Marie Bonadio