Recruitment is the formal process you go through to get a bid to join a sorority. Recruitment was the craziest four days of my first semester of college. Three days of walking around in wedges, talking to more girls than I could count on all of my fingers and toes, and songs that were stuck in my head for weeks. I remember walking around nervous on day four and at the end of it all shaking so hard I could barely open the envelope that held my bid, then finally running to the sorority I call my home. Those intense few days led to the best possible first year of college I could’ve imagined.
Not everyone understands Greek life, because from the outside looking in, it seems like it's all just fun and games. But really, it's friendship and sisterhood for life. Most people see it by the way its shown in movies, just a bunch of crazy college kids out to party and waste away their college years. Sure, there are parties but you’ll find that anywhere in college not just Greeks. There’s so much about Greek life that people don’t see. There’s volunteer work, friendships, scholarships and so much more.
So-- Why should you join a sorority? If you’re on the fence about it or can’t wait for the second you rip open your bid, here’s why a sorority is so much more than you expect.
Academics
People usually think sorority girls aren’t smart, but we actually have GPA requirements and incentives for maintaining high GPAs each semester. Most sororities require library or study hours from each girl to complete in order to stay in good standing with the chapter. There are also scholarships offered that members can apply for to help them pay for college.
When there’s 140 girls in your chapter you are bound to have at least two girls who have the same major as you, and they are automatic study buddies that you can call or text when you get stuck on a project or need help before a test. When you walk into that biology class you were dreading taking this semester, and you see two sisters sitting in the back row with a spot ready for you, and you know you'll be able to get through those boring lectures, tests and quizzes! My favorite part about walking into the library during finals week is knowing I'll have a table of sisters with their coffee and books ready to camp out with me.
Philanthropy
Each sorority (and fraternity) has a philanthropy they work with to volunteer and raise money for its foundation. Whether it is spending hours planning and executing a week long event to raise money or its directly volunteering with an organization sorority women are dedicated to their philanthropy and grow a connection to it.
Yes, there are required hours we have to complete to remain in good standing, but the first time I visited the veterans center and saw how happy they were just to have us there I was hooked. And when I got to actually see the the children that directly benefited from our hard work, I couldn't wait for the next event to do it all over again. Even if that event meant waking up at 4 a.m. two days in a row to cheer on LA Marathon runners. The best part about all of it you get to do it all with people that are just as passionate about it as you—your sisters!
We don’t just raise money for our own philanthropies. We compete in fraternity sports tournaments and attend fundraising events for other Greek organizations that raise money for their respective philanthropies. My sorority takes these events extremely seriously as we are back to back champions the last 10 years of Kappa Sigma's Powderpuff Football tournament and Pi Kappa Phi's War of Roses champions two years running! Being a part of Greek life means a lot more than just your one chapter of your own organization, you become a part of a community on your campus.
A Big Sister
You get a big sister to run to hold your hand (and sometimes your hair), to bring you coffee when you crash in the library, someone to drag you out of bed after a break up, and someone to go get ice cream with any time day or night. My Big is my go to when I'm feeling down, or when I need to stalk a boy on social media and I can always count on her to watch Bachelor with me every Monday night. The funny thing is I didn't know my Big before we became Big and Little yet somehow we ended up being the perfect match! She's always there for me and I couldn't imagine what I'd do without her.
Friendships
“Greeks pay for their friends.” Yeah, we hear that one a lot and it literally makes everyone's eyes roll. We make friends that can last a lifetime, not just while we're in college. So what happens when I graduate and am no longer paying? I will still have the women I counted on while in school to network with, attend events with, and to be part of the next chapters of my life.
The women I have met through my sorority are the most loyal, compassionate and inspiring people I ever been surrounded by. Each one of them is different and amazing in their own way, and probably would have never met them if I hadn't joined a sorority. My best friend is a dance major and I’m a journalism major, if we didn’t accept a bid from the same sorority our paths never would have crossed and I would've missed out on a really amazing friendship. We all may be different in our majors and hometowns but we’re all brought together our common values and love for our sorority. I know that even if I'm not someone's best friend in the sorority they would still be there for me, like I would be for them to support one another in a time of need. They aren’t just my friends, they’re my sisters.
Finding Home
I knew I had found a home in my sorority when I realized the women I was talking to weren’t just ones I wanted or hoped to be someday. These were the women that I could actually see myself becoming one day, and they were the people I wanted around when I was becoming that person. I found a home with people I know will be there for me no matter what. I found roommates that love Bachelor as much as I do. I found a best friend to move to Texas with after we graduate. I found a big sister to be there when mine is 400 miles away. I found a home away from home. I found hope. I found strength. I found sisters for life.
Joining a sorority changed my college experience. To all the girls that can’t wait to get their bid, good luck and I can’t wait for you to find your new home. To all the girls on the fence about joining a sorority, sign up for recruitment and put yourself out there, you never know you might find yourself running to your new home at the end of it.
