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You’ve seen it in movies, heard about it during college tours, and watched your siblings and friends have a great college experience because of it. Now that you’re headed to college, you’re wondering if sorority life could be right for you, too!
Check out the six things you need to know about sorority life – from how recruitment works to finding your place to giving back – before you head to college this year.
Recruitment is more than you see in photos.
No matter if your university has a recruitment that kicks off before classes start in the fall, lasts a full week, or happens in the second semester, the sorority recruitment that people typically see on social media is filled with cute outfits, Bid Day videos, and creative themes. But it’s way more than that.
During the recruitment process, you’ll meet women from various sorority chapters and have meaningful conversations with potential new sisters – while also learning more about yourself and having a chance to reflect on what your values are. Having this space to explore which sorority shares the same interests and passions you have is extremely valuable and can help you decide which sorority is best for you and which one you want to call home.
Your community on campus will grow.
One of the most obvious benefits of joining a sorority is the sisterhood and network you gain – and no matter how big or small your school is – having a way to grow your community is helpful to feeling supported and included in campus culture.
You’ll have a chance to form strong bonds with women from different backgrounds and become besties with women you might not have otherwise met, like those who live in different dorms, have other majors, or have completely opposite schedules from you. Another community you’ll be a part of after joining is the larger sorority and fraternity life community, both on your campus and across the country at different schools.
You’ll give back to the community in a big way.
Your sorority could focus on raising money for breast cancer or could be making efforts towards other causes like Alzheimer’s, heart disease prevention, or pediatrics. No matter what the cause is, you’ll be able to get involved in philanthropic work and give back to the community by visiting local schools to spread awareness, mentoring others, or volunteering at local shelters.
In addition to doing work with your chapter at school – whether that looks like hosting fundraising events or organizing info sessions on campus – you can also continue to be involved in philanthropic work – even after graduation – and continue to make a difference.
You’ll have access to meaningful mentors.
Because you’ll spend so much time doing activities and going through recruitment with your new member class – which is the group of women who join your chapter the same year you do – you might feel the strongest bonds with them. But that doesn’t mean you won’t get close to other members of your sorority, like graduating seniors and alumnae, or women who are members of your sorority on other campuses. Oftentimes, these friendships naturally turn into mentorships – like a big-sister, little-sister relationship – which is great to have when you’re trying to navigate college.
From sharing the best academic resources on campus to helping to find your place in your sorority and at school, the mentors you have in your sorority will always be there to encourage you to become your best self and get the most out of your time at school and in sorority life.
You’ll learn vital life skills.
Joining a sorority has more benefits than gaining sisterhood – you’ll also learn a lot of skills that will help you later in life! Being sure you show up on time to chapter meetings and events will teach you time management. Juggling classes and homework will teach you responsibility. And stepping into bigger roles within your sorority will teach you leadership.
Each sorority chapter has its own leadership positions – like treasurer, chapter president, and communications roles – and chapters also have roles specific to your interests that you can help out with, like philanthropy, recruitment, and events.
No matter how you involve yourself with your sorority, you’ll be surrounding yourself with other motivated and talented women who can teach you valuable skills that will be helpful for your future.
It can be a launching pad for your career success.
Whether your sorority sister works at a company you’d love to work at and you need them to put in a good word for you to help secure an interview, or you’re looking for some guidance about what your resume should look like, the community you become a part of in college can help you network post-graduation and can be a launching pad for your future career success.
In addition to the vital life skills you learn during your time in college, there are also opportunities to join city-based alumnae chapters after graduation, which can offer additional opportunities for personal fulfillment and professional networking. Many member organizations also have online communities that support the professional interests of members and help them make connections.
Are you loving all of the things that you gain when you join a sorority? If so, then sorority life is *definitely* right for you.
Be sure to find out when sorority recruitment starts at your school, connect with thesororitylife.com, and have a wonderful year!