Megan Taylor
As the school year comes to a close, graduation approaches and the reality of post-high school plans sets in. For girls with plans to attend a college or university in the fall, the choice must be made whether to go through sorority recruitment not. Some have already decided, while others are not sure.
Negative stereotypes of sorority have existed for a long time, especially in the South. When people think “sorority,” they might have a preconceived idea that such a membership requires a life of partying, but members of any sorority will state this is not the case. While parties and such do happen and some of these stereotypes are true, the positives to being involved in Greek life far outweigh the negatives.
One positive is the connections one can make through the sorority to help in the professional world.
An article by Lindsey Holmes on "College USA Today" states, “Your experience shows leadership, commitment and professionalism to the working world.”
Freshman at the University of Memphis, Garner Lesley agrees.
“Through all the involvement on campus and alumni, I have met so many wonderful people with amazing connections to help further me through any aspect of life,” Lesley told.
Connections in the professional world are not the only ones made. Involvement in a sorority aids in meeting other students around campus and helps to make incoming freshman feel more comfortable in the transition from high school to college.
“I got the chance to get to know people from different areas,” Germantown English teacher Katie Martin stated.
Lesley agreed.
“Belonging to an organization like a sorority helped me see familiar faces on campus and not feel so out of place,” Lesley stated.
Another benefit involves helping others. Every sorority has a chosen philanthropy for which they raise money and hold events.
The article by Holmes states, “Greek students raise more that $7 million each year for various organizations.”
Philanthropies range from St. Jude to supporting victims of domestic violence to Make-a-Wish to Girl Scouts.
Freshman at Samford University, Katie Toler felt that philanthropy is her favorite part.
“Seriously, this is the best,” Toler said.
Members will say that the hardest part of sorority would be the money and time commitment.
“It’s definitely a time commitment,” Lesley stated, “not a disadvantage, but something you truly commit to along with school work, job, and clubs or associations you might be involved with.”
For those on the edge about rushing, freshman at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, Polly Ann Blackwell, said incoming freshman should go for it.
“Definitely consider rushing. It is so much bigger than it appears on the outside and has formed me into the person I want to be in college,” Blackwell stated.
In regard to those who have not decided, Toler agreed.
“Everyone should definitely go through rush,” Toler said. “I am living proof of being anti-sorority and judging it based on stereotypes. I am so thankful I rushed because my perception of Greek life was completely wrong.”
For those that have already made the decision to rush, Blackwell gave some advice.
“Be yourself! Do not go into it assuming you will be in a certain one, and don’t drop so soon after joining,” Blackwell stated. “It takes time to feel at home, but it will come and you won’t regret it.”
As the school year comes to a close, graduation approaches and the reality of post-high school plans sets in. For girls with plans to attend a college or university in the fall, the choice must be made whether to go through sorority recruitment not. Some have already decided, while others are not sure.
Negative stereotypes of sorority have existed for a long time, especially in the South. When people think “sorority,” they might have a preconceived idea that such a membership requires a life of partying, but members of any sorority will state this is not the case. While parties and such do happen and some of these stereotypes are true, the positives to being involved in Greek life far outweigh the negatives.
One positive is the connections one can make through the sorority to help in the professional world.
An article by Lindsey Holmes on "College USA Today" states, “Your experience shows leadership, commitment and professionalism to the working world.”
Freshman at the University of Memphis, Garner Lesley agrees.
“Through all the involvement on campus and alumni, I have met so many wonderful people with amazing connections to help further me through any aspect of life,” Lesley told.
Connections in the professional world are not the only ones made. Involvement in a sorority aids in meeting other students around campus and helps to make incoming freshman feel more comfortable in the transition from high school to college.
“I got the chance to get to know people from different areas,” Germantown English teacher Katie Martin stated.
Lesley agreed.
“Belonging to an organization like a sorority helped me see familiar faces on campus and not feel so out of place,” Lesley stated.
Another benefit involves helping others. Every sorority has a chosen philanthropy for which they raise money and hold events.
The article by Holmes states, “Greek students raise more that $7 million each year for various organizations.”
Philanthropies range from St. Jude to supporting victims of domestic violence to Make-a-Wish to Girl Scouts.
Freshman at Samford University, Katie Toler felt that philanthropy is her favorite part.
“Seriously, this is the best,” Toler said.
Members will say that the hardest part of sorority would be the money and time commitment.
“It’s definitely a time commitment,” Lesley stated, “not a disadvantage, but something you truly commit to along with school work, job, and clubs or associations you might be involved with.”
For those on the edge about rushing, freshman at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, Polly Ann Blackwell, said incoming freshman should go for it.
“Definitely consider rushing. It is so much bigger than it appears on the outside and has formed me into the person I want to be in college,” Blackwell stated.
In regard to those who have not decided, Toler agreed.
“Everyone should definitely go through rush,” Toler said. “I am living proof of being anti-sorority and judging it based on stereotypes. I am so thankful I rushed because my perception of Greek life was completely wrong.”
For those that have already made the decision to rush, Blackwell gave some advice.
“Be yourself! Do not go into it assuming you will be in a certain one, and don’t drop so soon after joining,” Blackwell stated. “It takes time to feel at home, but it will come and you won’t regret it.”
