It’s that time of year again: girls on college campuses across the nation are committing themselves to finding their home away from home. However, sorority recruitment isn’t just about finding your favorite houses, memorizing the catchiest chants, or joining what seems like a nice group of girls. There is an emotional toll and sacrifice embedded in the process, which subconsciously leads you home.
There’s no denying it, but unfortunately every organization has its stereotypes, and it’s something you can’t unsee until you involve yourself in the process. Before joining a sorority, I thought I already knew everything about them: the types of girls involved, what they did, and what it’s all about. I was wrong in so many ways.
Traditions rooted in history
Sororities started back in the early 1800s, while fraternities originated even earlier. The intention behind sororities was to give women the same opportunities and sense of belonging that men had in their exclusive organizations. All that’s currently relevant in sororities, such as sisterhood, philanthropy work, networking, and more, are all traditions and values that existed from the beginning. Each chapter has its own philanthropy unique to their values and beliefs. Even so, the same chapter at another school will celebrate the same core responsibilities and customs, as they are the same across the country. This is so special because it creates a bond and connection that might not always be visible, but it’s there, and there’s no undoing that.
Joining a sorority can open doors to opportunities and experiences you didn’t know were available. Alumni love to work with their chapter by providing connections and networking for their fellow sisters. Academics are valued and prioritized in sororities, which is not something I had ever thought about before involving myself in one. The benefits of sorority life will go beyond your college days, not only academically, but socially as well. This is a place where you meet your best friends for life, the people who mean the most to you. Because every sorority carries certain traits of people, it becomes easy and natural to mesh and bond with these girls.
What recruitment really looks like
During recruitment, in my experience, each day looked very different from the last. The chapters want to show off their unique, amazing qualities in hopes that you’ll align with them too. Because of this, the days can get emotional, and tears are likely to be shed. It’s hearing personal stories and deeper insight on topics you weren’t expecting to come up. It can be hard to grasp, but these days and moments are so important because it keeps us in touch with our intentions and emotions behind it all. It would make it difficult to truly connect if we’re so afraid to be vulnerable around people who could become our “sisters.”
My Rush Experience
To many girls around the country and me, the process of rushing is a time to really get to know yourself and what you stand for. Now that this process is all over, I’m grateful for the stress, sadness, sensitivity, and emotions that it brought me, because I can confidently say I know myself better than I did before. With that being said, I’m excited and eager for my future years affiliated with a Greek life chapter.