While media depictions of sorority and fraternity life are amusing –at best– they are obviously hyperbolic exaggerations that do not reflect the true qualities of sorority life. As someone who deeply cares about both academics and service, the panhellenic community offered me an opportunity to come together with young women to passionately stand for those values while being introduced to the individual cultures of each group and welcomed into a wide network of resources.

The panhellenic community –and each sorority– has a GPA requirement in order to join. While involved in greek life, students are encouraged by their chapters to maintain their academic life while introducing an additional educational element. Each chapter has its own history that each new pledge will have to learn. Each chapter also has its own philanthropy that it supports via fundraising and service efforts. The latter mentioned is what primarily motivated me to consider greek life.

In Formal Recruitment, the women who sign up get to meet each sorority throughout a series of rounds and each time, you interact with less chapters. Each round narrows your options until you’re left with two and in the final round, you’re offered the bid of the sorority that’s right for you! I couldn’t be more excited to wait to find out which chapter I will be a part of for the next three years!