Greek Life

Yesterday, I woke up at 7:00am. Not only was it a Saturday, but it was 19-degrees outside (and as you can see my last post, I have a hate-hate relationship with cold weather). I didn't have an exam to desperately study for, no relatives to pick up from the airport for a visit, and certainly no desire to deprive myself of sleep. No, no...I woke up at an hour that I've rarely seen since high school - let alone on a weekend - to help with sorority recruitment! And I couldn't have been more excited.

Both sorority and fraternity recruitment are "deferred" at Emory, meaning that it isn't until the spring semester. But although freshman cannot join sororities yet, we had a practice day yesterday - called Novemberfest - in which all interested girls go inside each sorority lodge to meet the members. This year, I'm a 'Pi Chi'. That means that I am assigned to a freshman dorm and I am in charge of advising all its residents about Greek life and the recruitment process. I LOVE doing it. My sorority is so very special to me, and being a Pi Chi is my way of giving back; I get to help several dozen girls find the sorority that is the best match for them, even if it's not my own.

Since I hope to give readers of this blog a glimpse into my college life, here are a few key facts and observations about Emory's Greek system:
* About 30% of Emory students are members.
*It is NOT stereotypical. We aren't all blonde party girls with their daddy's credit card in one hand and a martini glass in the other. Most of us like to have fun, but we also plan many philanthropy events, value each other's friendship and are serious about our academics.
*There is NO hazing.
*Greeks have a higher average G.P.A. than the overall student body average.
*Members easily have time to be involved in many other student activities.
*Sorority girls are NOT just friends with their "sisters". I have non-Greek friends, as well as friends in other sororities.
*Sorority and Fraternity events are open to ALL students - not just other Greeks.
*It is NOT like the ABC Family show Greek.
*Members don't have to live in the lodges or houses. The 3-year-old sorority complex (pictured above) is like a long townhouse, with each section belonging to a different sorority. I live there and love it. The fraternity houses are HUGE and look like Victorian mansions from the outside.

I'm so thankful for Emory's sorority system, as I doubt I would have joined one at a bigger state school. It sounds cheesy, but it's given me a large group of girls whom I'm proud to call my "sisters" and it makes campus feel more like a home. But since there are SO many other college activities and Atlanta events, Greek life is far from the only social option. It just happened to be a great one for me. There's not much else that would get me up with a smile before sunrise!