With nearly 48,000 students at Michigan State University, trying to find a place to fit in can be difficult. Thankfully there are over 550 registered student organizations on campus with something for just about everyone. In between the Academic Competition Club and the Zoological Students Association, lies over 55 Greek letter organizations that attract thousands of students every year.
Contrary to popular belief, the stigma of the sorority girl lifestyle isn’t about having the nicest clothes, getting to cut the line at bars and dating frat guys. Being in a sorority offers MSU students the opportunity to create strong relationships, provide helpful service and build amazing networking opportunities. Her Campus MSU caught up with two senior sisters and got their take on Greek life and how it's impacted their college experience, for the better.
Molly Tyza
Sorority: Delta Gamma
Major: Pre-Med: Human Biology
HCMSU: When did you first decide you wanted to join a sorority?
MT: It was a very last minute decision; I actually never thought that a sorority was going to be a part of my college experience. However, my transition into college was difficult because my closest friends all went to Central together and I was missing them a lot. One of my friends here at MSU friend suggested I go check out Greek Life. I went into it with an open-mind, not really knowing what it was about. Everyone I met was so welcoming and friendly; it instantly made me feel at home. And that's when I decided, actually during the recruitment process, that I wanted to be a part of a sorority.
HCMSU: Describe your rushing experience. Do you view it differently now that you’re in a sorority as opposed as to when you were rushing?
MT: It was very laid back. I really didn't know anything about sororities, so I didn't know what to expect. I wasn't even sure what to wear, so I asked the friend that suggested it to me. She told me to look "polished". I took that very literally and painted my nails that day thinking that you got points for that kind of thing.
Clearly I know a lot more about the whole process now. It makes me that much more aware of just how little I knew about Greek life when I joined, but I'm actually glad I knew as little as a did. I was genuinely myself and actually enjoyed the process. I see so many girls now who are so nervous; you know that they aren't really acting like themselves. That's obviously a very common thing, but it makes me feel fortunate that my recruitment experience happened the way that it did.
HCMSU: Do you think being a part of a sorority has benefited your college experience? If so, how? Do you think it will benefit you after college?
MT: 100%. These girls have been my support system through everything. I can honestly say, if I didn't have them around, I probably would have transferred to Central to be with my high school friends. I have them to thank for the fact that I will be graduating from Michigan State. Aside from that, they really have been more support system throughout college. These girls are the ones helping me through the bad times and are with me to celebrate the good. I don't see that changing anytime soon.
HCMSU: Would you recommend others to join a sorority? Why or why not?
MT: Absolutely, I think that there are so many chapters on campus that any girl could find one that she enjoyed. It has been one of the best aspects of my college experience.
HCMSU: What is the most beneficial part of being in a sorority?
MT: The networking. In college, of course it's a great social network, but after college, it can be a professional network as well. Just by being a part of a fraternity or sorority, you are automatically connected to people all over the country in all different fields.
HCMSU: What has been your favorite event/activity that your sorority has participated in?
MT: Greek Week. All the sororities and fraternities team up and participate in a week long competition to raise money for the American Cancer Society. I think it really captures what fraternities and sororities are all about and it's a really special time when the whole Greek community comes together. It's so much fun and is all going towards a great cause, which makes it so much more worth it.
HCMSU: What will you miss most about your sorority when you graduate?
MT: All the little things that have made my time with Delta Gamma so great. It makes me so sad to think that I won't be pulling all nighters in our study room, raiding my sister’s closets, or just stopping by the house to hang out. It’s those things that I'm going to miss the most. I guess when it comes down to it, I'm just going to miss having these girls in my life on a regular basis. I know the rest of the seniors and I have had more than our fair share of fun and we're off to the next phase of our lives. Even though it's sad closing this chapter, I look forward to sharing the future together because while we might all go off in different directions, we'll always have this special bond that ties us together for life.
