Sharing Greek letters with sisters is much more than wearing matching sweatshirts. It is laughing, learning, and loving. No matter if you are up or down, your sisters will be there for you as true friends.
Although sororities offer many social and service-oriented activities, the importance of academics is not overlooked. Each chapter creates its own scholarship program, and Stanford's chapters pride themselves on having some of the highest sorority GPAs in the nation.
Each sorority has a national philanthropic organization, as well as local charities to which they contribute their services. From spending a day at your sorority's charity to planning an exciting and innovative fundraiser, you will feel a satisfying sense of involvement by helping others.
Because sororities are largely self-governed, leadership opportunities are plentiful. Whether you want to take charge as chapter president, or just contribute your creative ideas on a committee, you can always make a difference in your sorority.
Sororities provide their members with a wide range of social events to participate in. Among the favorites are "girls-only" events, formals, theme parties, retreats, and intramural sporting events. Get out your calendar!
Inherent in sorority membership are financial obligations, collected on a quarterly basis. During your pledge quarter, membership dues are a bithigher, as you are paying for your pin, national pledge dues, and initiation fees. The average pledge quarter costs between $200 and $300, in addition to regular active dues of between $110 and $180. Once initiated, you will only be asked to pay active dues, which help pay for required national dues, social events, and chapter maintenance. However, be aware that other costs may be incurred. Formals, sweatshirts, composite photographs, and t-shirts may cost more. You are encouraged to ask each chapter or your Rho Chi about sorority costs as well as scholarships and payment plans.
If you are well-informed about each sorority, it will be easier to make an appropriate decision in selecting the best chapter for you. Some things to consider.
What type of commitment does being a new member require? What is the content of your new member program? What are the responsibilities and/or duties of a new member? How much time will I spend with the sorority during my new member period? What activities can I, and must I, participate in as a new member?
How does the sorority promote scholarship? Are there study-buddies, scholarship incentives, in-house tutors, or class suggestions? What kinds of academic events does the group have?
What are the sorority's philanthropic activities? Does the chapter have a service project? Is the sorority involed in campus activities? What does the chapter participate in with other sororities and fraternities? What are its social events?
What leadership opportunities are available to each active member within the chapter? What kind of involvement does the sorority alumnae organization have with the chapter? What leadership opportunities are available to new members?
What does it cost to be a member of the chapter? Does the chapter offer payment plans or scholarships? Ask about direct expenses such as initiation and dues, as well as indirect expenses such as T-shirts and formals.
If the chapter is housed consider reviewing the chapter's University status letter (the University's annual report on the health of the chapter, which is available in the OSA). Ask about the chapter's housing preference policy. How will the chapter allocate space? What are the costs of a housed versus unhoused chapter? (Remember with rare exceptions, housed chapters require their members to live in their house all undergrad years.)
