Benefits of Greek Life:

• Instant friends on campus! When I went through recruitment, it was the 3rd week of school. My first 3 weeks were quiet and lonely. The Monday after Bid Day, though, my hands were exhausted from waving to my new sisters.
• Leadership opportunities. Organizations have to operate by electing officers. If you were super involved in high school, sororities are a great way to see if you want to run for other offices in other organizations on campus.
• Grades. Statistically, Greeks have higher GPAs. Try to argue that one against concerned parents!
• Activity on campus. If you are not in a Greek organization or another organization on campus, you may not know about all of the fun activities your school offers! Homecoming events, intramural games, and volunteer opportunities are all examples.
• It looks great on your resume if you have experience working in an organization. The fact that you can work with a large group of people and know how to juggle school, life, and an organization can be appealing to future employers.
• Most of all, it’s fun. We’re talking socials, mixers, sisterhood events, study dates, older girls who can tell you which professors to take, an endless wardrobe, etc.

Now that you have an idea of the potential benefits and drawbacks of Greek life, you probably know whether or not it’s something you’re interested in. If you are a freshman (or any other year) bound for college and considering going through recruitment, I have put together a sort-of “insider’s guide” of things that I wish I had known. Read on for more!

3 Things to Expect at Recruitment:

• Clapping. Lots and lots of clapping… and singing. No, we were not all cheerleaders in high school!
• Expect your voice to be 90% lost by the end of your first night. You could be talking for hours and the rooms may be loud, so be prepared!
• Feeling like a broken record. Everyone will ask you the basic questions to get to know you, and you will wish you could just write everything about yourself on an index card for people to read. However, remember that the members are trying to get to know you in a short period of time. Be patient!

What to Bring:

• Flats or flat sandals. This is the biggest piece of advice I can give you about being comfortable! You could be on your feet at houses or walking across campus for hours and hours. Those 4-inch heels, while cute, will be your worst enemy!
• Snacks. Stash a granola bar in your purse for in between parties or breaks. The Greek organization on campus may provide dinner or snacks, but it never hurts to bring something you know you will eat.
• Deodorant. Trust me. Just trust me.
• Chapstick. Self-explanatory.
• Mints. After you inhale that slice of pepperoni pizza, pop a mint before the next party and you’ll be ready to chat some more.
• Oil blotting sheets. During the first few weeks of school, it is likely to be hot and walking from house to house can make you glisten. Blot the shiny!
• A small clutch or purse. You don’t want to tote around a carry-on all day without a place to put it! Only bring the essentials.

What to Wear:

Most Greek offices have a brochure or manual you receive at orientation that tells you about the parties each night. For each party, there is usually a dress code. Some nights are formal and others are more casual. Check the manual for a guide, but most of all, be comfortable! You want to make a good impression and be yourself, so dress comfortably and classically and you will feel more confident!