Anti-Greek
Some collegiettes have never felt the urge to become part of the Greek system, and they swear they’re having just as much fun (if not more) as the girls in sororities.
“I never wanted to join a sorority and never did. I picked a college that was only about 30 minutes away from my high school, so I already knew a ton of people when I started college. I feel that I have a more diverse selection of friends than I may have had if I had gone Greek. I have male and female friends of all different ages, and I think that maybe I would not have some of the friends I do today had I been in a sorority.”
- Lauren Conrad, University of Kentucky‘12
“I rushed freshman and sophomore year and didn't end up joining a sorority. I got asked back to all of the houses I ranked the lowest on my list. I think the rush system is flawed because I didn't get asked back to a single one of my top 5 houses, not even for the second round out of four. I've still gone to date parties and done other fun ‘sorority’ stuff without being in a house. I don't have to dress the same as 40 other girls or go to a particular frat each weekend. I can do as I please without having to fit the stereotype of a few Greek letters.”
- Erica, Contributing Writer, University of Michigan ’13
Mixed Feelings
Not everyone’s feelings about sororities are so black and white, and many girls are left with mixed emotions after going through the Greek process.
“I think sororities make sense at large institutions because they are a wonderful way to make friends and network. They provide a great foundation for getting to know your school, and Greek parties do have a reputation for being the best. However, one of my friends who went to a small school that had sororities was in one, and now that she has graduated she confided in me that she feels like all the friends she made were fake. They don't keep in contact, even though some of them live just a few towns over. My impression is that at smaller schools their main function is as a party house, where as at larger schools they become networking tools.”
- Allison Lantero, Boston College ’11
“I always knew I wanted to rush! I thought the girls in sororities were so pretty and happy all the time and just lived the life of the party. I love my sisters to death, but sometimes I feel like I could have gone through college without joining. Greek people can be so stereotypical sometimes. During rush they tell you to narrow down your favorites, but I didn't get into my first OR second choice, so really it's just about them picking you. I am happy I have a group of friends who are not Greek to keep me balanced or else I feel like I would be stuck in high school forever.”
- Anonymous
“I know this is so clichéd, but I really think it depends on the school. I have friends who go to school in the South (e.g., Tulane and Vanderbilt) and are in sororities, not so much because they wanted to but because it's a major aspect of their school's social scene. At my school (Boston University), however, it's not a necessity to go Greek: there are so many other clubs and ways to meet people and get involved on campus.”
- Kelsey Mulvey, Contributing Writer, Boston University ’14
“[At] Emory and Greek life is pretty big here, but I knew early on that sorority life wasn't for me, so I didn't even rush. In retrospect, I wish I had gone through the experience of rush because it's only something you experience in college and I would urge everyone to do it! I don't regret not being in a sorority, though — it hasn't hindered my social life in any way.”
- Alice Chen, Editorial Intern, Emory University ’12
“I've always thought that I would never join a sorority, but working at Her Campus...has made me consider at least rushing to see what it's like (I'm going to be a freshman at Northwestern). I still don't think it's very likely I would actually join one, but it's interesting that the people in my life are automatically against it even if I'm not.”
- Katherine Mirani, Contributing Writer, Northwestern University ’15
Whatever your decision…
Don’t feel pressure to rush or not rush once you’re at school. If you’re curious and want to see what it’s like, go for it! If anything it will be a new experience, which is what college is all about. And if you’ve never felt the need to go Greek then there are a ton of other ways to meet people, like clubs, sporting events, class, your dorm, and more.
Did you rush a sorority, or are you planning to? Why or why not? Sound off in the comments below!
