Whether you’ve always thought you wanted to join Greek life or have met people at school that have changed your negative opinions about these organizations, joining a sorority or fraternity can be a great addition to your college experience. These groups aren’t for everyone, of course, so consider whether rushing is right for you. Here are eight reasons that might convince you that you’d enjoy rushing and hopefully becoming part of a sorority or fraternity.
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You like having a large group of friends:
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If you’re the type of outgoing person who loves having a large group of friends so you’re never short of plans, a Greek organization would be a great fit for you. You may not become best friends with everyone in the group, but you’ll love having such a large circle of friends and acquaintances that you can call on whenever you’re bored or need a listening ear. Many of the friends you make now will become life-long connections.
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You want connections after you graduate:
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Joining a fraternity or sorority with chapters nationwide is actually a great career move. You’ll have a built-in network after you graduate and have something to talk about if you run across any hiring managers from your organization. Since graduates from your frat or sorority understand the hard work it takes to balance school and your social life, as well as all the qualifications you needed to become a member in the first place, you’ll probably already have someone in your corner going into your job search or interviews.
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You’re unsure if you want to join:
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Rushing is simply the time period where you get a feel for the groups at your university and try to find one that fits your needs and personality. If you don’t find one you like, you don’t have to join! Greek life is a big commitment, and one that normally lasts several years, so don’t go into the rushing period feeling like you have to join a group if you’re accepted. Think about whether you sincerely like the other members, whether you feel accepted, and whether you can make the time and financial commitment required. There’s no harm in rushing if you understand that it’s only a commitment if you want it to be.
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You want to improve your leadership skills:
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There are other chances around campus to be a leader: the school paper, student government, sports teams. But there are dozens of leadership positions in Greek life (from president to social chair to titles specific to campus events) and becoming a leader in a well-known sorority or fraternity can speak volumes on your resume. You’ll learn how to manage people, solve problems, and make decisions with confidence.
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You want to party:
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It may not be true that all Greek organizations do is throw parties and drink all day, but most do have their fair share of fun. If you’re interested in being invited to mixers, keggers, and formals, going Greek can be a great way to fill up your social calendar. Fraternities are normally paired up with sister sororities, so you’ll likely get twice the invites by joining up. The rush season can be a good time to find out what kinds of parties you can expect to attend, as well as any negative alcohol-related incidents each group has been involved in.
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You’re having a hard time making friends:
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Greek life critics will compare joining a sorority or fraternity to buying friends, but it really just gives you the opportunity to be around more people in social settings. This can be great for students who haven’t found where they fit on campus yet and might find it useful to socialize with a large group. Just be sure to be yourself during the rush process so you find the organization that fits your personality best.
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You want more same-sex friends:
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When you first start college, you’re probably eager to take whatever friends you can get. This can sometimes mean hanging out mostly with a significant other’s friends or with one of the few people you knew from high school. Though this can be a great way to make lifelong pals, sometimes you take stock of your social circle and realize that you don’t have many close friends of the same sex. One of the best ways to balance out your friend group is to rush a sorority or fraternity. Even if hanging out with all girls sometimes drives you crazy or you like talking to girls more than guys, you’re sure to come out with a few same-sex friends to call up when bro time or girl talk gets too intense.
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You’re a legacy:
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This means that one of your parents or siblings (or even grandparents if you’re a serious legacy) was in the same organization you’re considering. Being a legacy gives you a greater chance of getting a bid during rush, and many find that following in their family’s footsteps can be a great tradition and give them something to bond over. Just make sure you look at more organizations than just the one you’re a legacy for. You might find that a different one suits your needs better!
