[KillarneyRose]

Ju-Jake,
I have no doubt you'll be able to make tons of friends in college, but being in a sorority is about something deeper than friendship.

It is about sharing a bond. It is the chance to participate in a ritual created many, many years ago (in your mom's case, over 130 years ago - correct me if I'm wrong, Carnation) that generations of sisters have shared with each other and with the younger sisters. It's about looking at everyday items and seeing the symbolism behind them as it pertains to your sisterhood and knowing that no one who isn't your sister would truly understand (Why is Chi Omega's symbol an owl? Delta Gamma's an Anchor? Kappa Kappa Gamma's a key? I have NO IDEA!!! But I know why Delta Zeta's symbol is a Roman Lamp as do IowaHawkeye, dzrose93, AchtungBaby80 and the rest of my sisters, and it has a very deep meaning for us).

It is about knowing that if you meet a member of your sorority for the very first time, you will already have something in common. This is great for paving the way for a wonderful friendship.

On a more pragmatic note, it can be helpful for business connections when you get out in the "real world". When I applied for an internship in college, I was chosen out of 75 applicants, all of whom wanted it as much as I did and probably half of whom were as qualified as I was. Why did I get it? I found out later that the woman who chose me had been an Alpha Phi in college and she thought that since I was in a sorority I would be proficient juggling several responsibilities at once and could thus devote the time needed to really excel in the internship. She was right; I had a blast and learned enough about public relations that I was able to get an excellent Assistant Account Executive position at a major firm straight out of college.

I'm glad I did it; I have found that is enriches my life even now. I'm looking forward to going to a Founders' Day luncheon at the end of October and celebrating the 100th anniversary of my sorority's founding with my sisters. I'm OLD; this is my 16th Founders' Day but I love to go, participate in the ceremony, sing the sings, put on my beautiful badge, etc.

Think about it; how many opportunities do we get at 17 or 18 years of age to do something that will continue to enrich our lives for years and years if we want it to?