Depending on where you go to school, joining a sorority may or may not be an all-access pass to a huge group of friends, awesome parties, and an active social life. If you’re on the fence about rushing a sorority (or even just a little curious), get some insight into going Greek with these stories from collegiettes who have been through it all.
Pro-Greek
Whether they grew up knowing they’d go Greek or rushed with a friend just for fun, these girls have fallen in love with sorority life.
“I joined Kappa Kappa Gamma my freshman year and I've never been happier. Going into college, though, I was completely against Greek life. I didn’t want to deal with the competition of rush. And growing up with two older brothers, I prefer to hang with guys much more. But my experience with my sorority at Emory has been more than amazing.” - Erica Petri, Emory University
“I'm going into my 4th year in a sorority, and I think it is a very positive experience for girls to be involved with. Not only do you meet friends with similar interests to you (most girls in sororities tend to be social, academic, and very well-rounded overall), but you realize that you meet friends who are all so different and special. Every girl in my sorority (Kappa Kappa Gamma) is so different and unique—I have friends who play lacrosse, who sing, who work for the school council program board, who are studying for the LSAT, etc.” - Elizabeth Wagmeister, UCSB
“It might sound trite or even dramatic, but joining a sorority has been the single best decision I have ever made. I'm...the [former] Vice President of Programming for Delta Zeta, an executive board member of All Greek Council and have been active in Panhellenic [the organization that represents all Greek organizations on campus] in the past. These organizations have allowed me to acquire and hone skills essential to my chosen career in PR, like leadership, time management, teamwork, conflict management, event planning and organization skills. Above all the skills I've obtained, being in Greek life has really boosted my confidence and given me the drive to go after what I want in life.” - Amber Strazzo, Millersville University of Pennsylvania
“I wasn't totally sure about being a ‘sorority girl’, but it totally changed my college experience in an awesome way. I was contemplating transferring, but being in Delta Gamma finally gave me a group of girls who understood me and accepted me. I really believe that there is a place for everyone in the Greek system, and I love love LOVE my sisters... Bucknell without DG would be much less fulfilling and enjoyable.” - Jenni Whalen, Bucknell University
“I'm in a sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta, and I was totally unsure what to think of it at first. I went through recruitment last year, and I ended up receiving a bid. Since then, it's been a lot of fun, and I've met some of my closest friends. There's rarely a time when I feel completely alone and don't know anyone around me, and it's all because of Greek life. All in all, I would definitely recommend it to girls who are looking for a solid network of friends, especially transfer students who are having a hard time connecting and finding a niche at school."- Bianca E. Ortega, Belmont University
“I've only been an initiated member for a couple of months, and already I've made a ton of friends, become way more involved on campus, and gained experiences that I wouldn't have otherwise. In fact, I only learned that Her Campus was joining Virginia Tech because one of my sisters brought it here. I even became her co-Campus Correspondent!” - Caitlin Fernandez, Virginia Tech
Anti-Greek
Some collegiettes have never felt the urge to become part of the Greek system, and they swear they’re having just as much fun (if not more) as the girls in sororities.
“I never wanted to join a sorority and never did. I picked a college that was only about 30 minutes away from my high school, so I already knew a ton of people when I started college. I feel that I have a more diverse selection of friends than I may have had if I had gone Greek. I have male and female friends of all different ages, and I think that maybe I would not have some of the friends I do today had I been in a sorority.” - Lauren Conrad, University of Kentucky
“I rushed freshman and sophomore year and didn't end up joining a sorority. I got asked back to all of the houses I ranked the lowest on my list. I think the rush system is flawed because I didn't get asked back to a single one of my top 5 houses, not even for the second round out of four. I've still gone to date parties and done other fun ‘sorority’ stuff without being in a house. I don't have to dress the same as 40 other girls or go to a particular frat each weekend. I can do as I please without having to fit the stereotype of a few Greek letters.” - Erica, University of Michigan
Mixed Feelings
Not everyone’s feelings about sororities are so black and white, and many girls are left with mixed emotions after going through the Greek process.
“I think sororities make sense at large institutions because they are a wonderful way to make friends and network. They provide a great foundation for getting to know your school, and Greek parties do have a reputation for being the best. However, one of my friends who went to a small school that had sororities was in one, and now that she has graduated she confided in me that she feels like all the friends she made were fake. They don't keep in contact, even though some of them live just a few towns over. My impression is that at smaller schools their main function is as a party house, where as at larger schools they become networking tools.” - Allison Lantero, Boston College
“I always knew I wanted to rush! I thought the girls in sororities were so pretty and happy all the time and just lived the life of the party. I love my sisters to death, but sometimes I feel like I could have gone through college without joining. Greek people can be so stereotypical sometimes. During rush they tell you to narrow down your favorites, but I didn't get into my first OR second choice, so really it's just about them picking you. I am happy I have a group of friends who are not Greek to keep me balanced or else I feel like I would be stuck in high school forever.” - Anonymous
“I know this is so clichéd, but I really think it depends on the school. I have friends who go to school in the South (e.g., Tulane and Vanderbilt) and are in sororities, not so much because they wanted to but because it's a major aspect of their school's social scene. At my school (Boston University), however, it's not a necessity to go Greek: there are so many other clubs and ways to meet people and get involved on campus.” - Kelsey Mulvey, Boston University
“[At] Emory Greek life is pretty big here, but I knew early on that sorority life wasn't for me, so I didn't even rush. In retrospect, I wish I had gone through the experience of rush because it's only something you experience in college and I would urge everyone to do it! I don't regret not being in a sorority, though — it hasn't hindered my social life in any way.” - Alice Chen, Emory University
“I've always thought that I would never join a sorority, but working at Her Campus...has made me consider at least rushing to see what it's like (I'm going to be a freshman at Northwestern). I still don't think it's very likely I would actually join one, but it's interesting that the people in my life are automatically against it even if I'm not.” - Katherine Mirani, Northwestern University
Whatever your decision…
Don’t feel pressure to rush or not rush once you’re at school. If you’re curious and want to see what it’s like, go for it! If anything it will be a new experience, which is what college is all about. And if you’ve never felt the need to go Greek then there are a ton of other ways to meet people, like clubs, sporting events, class, your dorm, and more.
Did you rush a sorority, or are you planning to? Why or why not? Sound off in the comments below!