I was never one for sisterhood. I often thought of the stereotypes that came with it and never felt like that suited me. I wanted to meet new people but was intimidated by the rushing process and the aspects that come with a sorority. So joining one did not feel okay with me.
Last year, I decided I was not going to join any greek life, not even considering it after my friends had pledged Delta Nu. I just did not want to be associated with it all and hoped that I would find my way through college without thinking about it. However, after seeing my friends go through the pledging process for Alpha Phi Omega.
Alpha Phi Omega, the nation’s co-ed community service fraternity, was calling to me after watching my friends get all the benefits of a sorority without committing to the sisterhood, with the added bonus of being able to do community service for the people of Carlisle.
This semester I wrote my name down for the email list and quickly got my requirements done to rush APO. In my experience as a pledge, I have been able to say that I have been able to reach out to the community I live in and being able to get off campus and do something good. In the midst of it all, I have meet a great group of people that I really meld with. I am able to reach out to them and feel like I finally have a community on campus.
I feel like overall, my choice to not join a sorority has left me with more options. I am not committed to a sorority, so I can explore in my fraternity. I will soon be ending my pledging process this semester and be able to finally say that I will be a brother of Alpha Phi Omega.