When people often think of sororities, it is common for a stereotypical image to come to mind: a cliquey group of young, rich, blonde, white women who party all the time. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Let’s break down some common stereotypes and myths around what it means to be in a sorority.
Myth: Sorority women are just paying for friends!
Reality: One of the most pervasive myths about sorority life is that people pay to have friends. But just like any other club or walk of life, you can’t pay someone to be your friend; friendships are nurtured and grown. Like any club or organization, sorority women pay dues. Dues are used to continue enhancing the sorority experience. They fund anything from pizza at a chapter meeting to formals and retreats that sororities hold. The investment in a sorority means access to participation in leadership opportunities, philanthropies, sisterhoods and various other experiences that allow the space and time for meaningful friendships to grow along the way.
Myth: All sorority girls do is party!
Reality: While sororities have various social gatherings, the sorority experience does not center around these events. Sororities also emphasize personal development, philanthropic involvement and academic excellence. Sororities often host study programs, study hours and other such initiatives to help them achieve their highest potential. Many chapters have minimum academic standards to join the organization and for initiated members, such as a minimum GPA. It is common for chapters to reduce the number of social events members who do not meet academic requirements can attend.
Sororities provide the space for career and professional growth through networking, alumnae events and other professional endeavors.
Myth: Sororities are exclusive and only for blonde, white women!
Reality: A popular misconception is that sororities lack diversity. While this may have once been true, popular media fails to represent sororities’ current diversity. College Panhellenics tend to mirror the campuses they are on. Today’s sororities are making strides for inclusivity and welcome members of all ethnicities, religions, sexualities, backgrounds and identities.
Myth: If you didn’t join as a freshman, you have missed your chance!
Reality: Many believe that sororities only accept freshmen, but that is not true. Sophomores, juniors and sometimes even seniors are often eligible to go through recruitment. In addition, Continuous Open Bidding (COB) allows eligible sororities to recruit new members outside of the formal recruitment space throughout the year, offering multiple opportunities to join the organization.
Myth: Once you are in a sorority, you never have free time!
Reality: Joining a sorority does come with its fair share of commitments, but it does not consume all of a member’s time. Some events like rituals, chapters or other meetings may be mandatory, but others are optional, allowing members to maximize their sorority experience while balancing it with different responsibilities. Many sorority women have jobs, internships or other extracurricular activities they are a part of while being active in the chapter. Organization, time management and planning are key to managing all competing needs of different responsibilities–but that is what sororities are for: supporting you when you need it.
Myth: You have to be rich to join a sorority!
Reality: Dues vary from chapter to chapter and across universities, with a wide range of costs. Dues differ based on organization, housing options and year in the chapter. Members pay their dues in various ways, from support from guardians, covering the membership costs themselves or other forms of aid/grants. Many chapters also offer payment plans if needed. There are also local and national competitive scholarships you can apply for to cover dues.
When considering a sorority, it is essential to prepare for the financial commitment by contacting your office of fraternity/sorority life or College Panhellenic for more information on the average membership cost and see if it is financially viable.
Myth: You can only have friends in your sorority after you join one!
Reality: Sorority members are not limited in who they can be friends with! Many women join sororities to find lifelong friends and cultivate deep bonds, but friendships are not limited to your chapter. You can build connections with other Panhellenic chapters, get involved in different student organizations, become friends with your dormmates or make friends in classes- the list never ends on how university life enables connections. Sorority life often encourages collaboration and connection with other organizations, giving members a diverse social circle.
Myth: Sororities are cliquey and full of drama!
Reality: Any group of people can have conflict; it is not exclusive to sororities. As you get to know your sisters, some friendships will be closer than others. It is one of the many reasons why being true to yourself during recruitment is so important. Finding a group of people who support and love you for you is one of the best feelings. However, sororities encourage inclusivity, host sisterhoods and other events that allow members to get close with everyone and embody what it means to be sisters. There is always room to form new bonds and strengthen old ones within a chapter.
Myth: If you join a sorority, you will get hazed!
Reality: The National Panhellenic Conference and its member organizations have strict anti-hazing policies, and sororities take a strong stance against any form of hazing. Some isolated incidents have occurred, but do not reflect the overall sorority experience, and violations result in severe consequences, including expulsion from the organization and other legal consequences. Recently, NPC lobbied for the passage of the Stop Campus Hazing Act, which has further strengthened efforts to prevent hazing by increasing transparency and accountability on college campuses.
Sororities offer a multifaceted experience that goes far beyond the myths often associated with them. They provide lifelong friendships, personal growth, academic excellence, networking benefits, and are inclusive and diverse. Those who join can get a fulfilling experience with a community that genuinely helps them achieve their highest potential.
