Oh, the sweet bonds of sisterhood!
When I first rushed a sorority at Penn State University, I had no idea what to expect. There were so many different rumors I had heard, and I was prepared for the good, bad and ugly.
Do sororities live up to their infamous negative stereotypes, or are they a fun place to socialize, get involved, and make friends for life? Here’s five things to consider before rushing.
- Are you an extrovert or an introvert?
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One thing about greek life is it’s very social. You will probably be invited to a lot of social gatherings if you are in a sorority, and be expected to meet new people. Are you the kind of person that gets tense in social situations, or do you love meeting new people?
Greek life is definitely better suited for extroverts. If you are a good conversationalist, this will serve you well during your interviews.
- Greek life can be expensive.
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Greek life isn’t cheap. You will have to pay at least a couple 100 dollars in dues each semester, and there will probably be more hidden expenses along the way. You may even need to purchase certain outfits or decor depending on what sorority you are in.
Be prepared for this before you accept an invitation.
- Greek life takes dedication.
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No, greek life isn’t about partying. It’s about getting involved on campus and philanthropy, and each sorority is responsible for its own philanthropy. As a part of the sorority, you will be expected to dedicate a certain amount of time to volunteering while maintaining a certain GPA. You will have to attend weekly mandatory meetings and prove your dedication. If you miss mandatory events you will be removed from greek life. If you’re only joining because you want to party with frats, you’re not joining for the right reasons.
Failing to adhere to this will result in your removal from the sorority.
- Yes, there are some sororities that solely judge pledges off of looks — but there are some that don’t.
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It’s sad but true: the negative stereotypes do exist for a reason. There will always be certain sororities that decide acceptable pledges the second they walk in the door. There are sororities who discriminate against plus-sized women. There are sororities who are racist towards women of color.
The key is to find out which sororities do this — and avoid the ones that do. Don’t join a sorority that is discriminatory and materialistic, because you won’t find your true friends.
However, NOT every sorority is like that. There are so many awesome sororities on many campuses. In my sorority, I found the nicest group of girls and they are now my best friends. Don’t be deterred by negative stereotypes, because there are many sororities that are the opposite.
- They like girls who are involved.
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As I said before, being in a sorority means dedicating your time to volunteering. One of the biggest aspects of greek life is involvement. Sororities like to see girls who volunteer, work hard, show leadership, and give back to their community. Make sure you are one of those people.
Good luck, Collegiettes!