When it comes to movies and tv shows – can anyone say Animal House, Greek, and House Bunny? – Greek life isn’t exactly portrayed in a positive light. Growing up, I always heard people making jabs at sorority girls – “They’re brainless and all they do is party!”- yet, upon entering college and deciding to rush a sorority, I realized that the assumptions that people, with a little help from the media, make about Greek life are far off from the actual experience. Here are five things that most people assume about Greek life that are far from reality:
1. All sororities and fraternities do is party: One of the biggest stereotypes of sororities and fraternities is that the only thing they do is party. Yeah, maybe in the show Greek it’s like that – the Kappa Taus sure do throw good parties – but what people don’t realize is the biggest perks of rushing: the amazing opportunities available, as well as the bond you form with other members. Whether it be attending service events, recreational activities like intramural sports and games hosted by other houses, or your own philanthropy events, Greek life provides so many ways to get involved. According to Pitt’s Fraternity and Sorority Annual Report, the Greek community donated $187,527 dollars to national and local charities between 2010 and 2011. Aside from the gratifying feeling that comes along with being able to donate time and raise money for important causes, the bond you form with your sisters or brothers is definitely the most rewarding part of joining – you meet so many people that will be in your life forever.
2. Joining a sorority or fraternity will hurt you academically: Contrary to popular belief, being a part of Greek life will actually help your grades. Sure, the one-to-two week process of recruitment and rush is time consuming, but as a member, you have so many academic resources available to you. With required study hours and around eighty older brothers or sisters, some with the same major or classes as you, there’s plenty of people who are willing to help you.
3. The only friends someone in a sorority can have are her sisters: When people first hear the word “sorority,” the word “clique” comes to mind (yet, according to my dad, he likes to think of it as an organized crime group – why, I do not know). Being in a sorority doesn’t mean you’re limited to just those friends for the rest of your life; nobody is going to stop you from hanging out with friends from your dorm, classes, other houses, or other clubs and organizations. One of my favorite parts of being in a sorority is getting to introduce my friends from outside the sorority to my friends in it; it just creates so many opportunities to meet even more people.
4. Only rich students who schmooze off their parents join greek life: It’s easy to assume that because members of sororities and fraternities are required to pay dues that can sometimes be hefty, they are loaded with money, but that’s far from the truth. A majority of members work hard to pay off their own dues, without the help of their parents.
5. Being in a sorority is equivalent to being in “the plastics:” Hate to break it to all those Mean Girls fans, but there’s no Regina George running the sorority house, telling girls they have to wear pink on Wednesdays, or telling them that they have to act a certain way. There’s not one person in a sorority who has total power; everyone has a say in how things work, because everyone’s opinion is valued. As a sister, I never feel like I can’t speak up or suggest something different.
Whether you’re already a member of a sorority or fraternity, thinking about rushing this spring, or always assumed that the above statements are true, all I can say is don’t judge a book by its cover. I know it sounds cliché, but how can you know what a group is really about if you’ve never taken the time to learn? Before you jump to conclusions about Greek life, realize that you can’t always believe what you hear; being in a sorority has truly given me so many opportunities and connections and has led me to meet some of the most amazing people.
Photo: feminspire.com