The Ohio State University - Partiers (only) wanted?

[JoyfulMuse]

Hi All,

I will admit that I am one of those outsiders who looks in and can't decide what's true. I didn't come from a backround that even promoted college, let alone greek life, but I know growing up thats something I wanted. The sisterhood, the oppurtunities to help others, and to further myself. I originally went to a smaller college, and I remember talking to another freshman who rushed and became a DZ. It sounded like something that would complete my college experience. But everyone else I ask about it, tell me that I wouldn't like it, and it's not what it seems. This is not meant to offend, but the outsiders (the ones who aren't greek) warned me of excessive partying, peer pressures, and snottyness. I am not a stereotyper kinda person, but with what others tell me I wonder if greeks are. I've gone through alot to even get myself to college and I guess I'm very scared that I would rush at this huge University (OSU), and end up being cut simply because I don't party excessively, or because I don't have this awesome family supporting me. I can say that I'm strong, intelligent, friendly, supportive, and ambitious...but are these the things that will really get me in?

[sundevil2000]

In a sorority everyone is different. There are the girls that like to party all the time, girls who like to study, and some that do both. Greek life is about having a group to relate to. When you go through rush you will be able to tell where you belong and what girls you want to hang out with. I know at my school ASU there are the typical sororities that party a lot, BUT, they get good grades and are very involved in school, and have jobs. Its all about balancing it out. Going Greek is something I recommend to everybody. Since I've joined mine, my grades have risen and my social life has also grown. I never feel alone and I have memories that I wouldn't trade in for anything.
About people saying that girls in sororities are snobby. They really arent, its just people see them with their sisters and automatically think that they think they are better then everybosy. I know thats what I thought and so I put off rushing, but now i regret having missed a semester.

[twinstars]

Since joining a sorority is something that's been on your mind for awhile, I strongly suggest that you give rush a shot. If the girls really are snotty, that should make itself obvious right off the bat. At least give them a chance before you decide they're not the kind of girls you'd like to be friends with. Don't decide they're bad people based on what a bunch of non-Greeks are saying, if you've met some of the girls and they've been sweet to you. Don't your friends realize how dumb it sounds to make generalizations like that about a huge, diverse, group of women? I'm not sure how sorority girls are at OSU, but I don't think ANY national sorority chapter can afford to just party all the time. Some girls are wilder than others, but any national sorority pressures the chapters big time to keep their grades up or risk social probation, etc. Many social sororities will REQUIRE that each sister do a certain number of service hours per semester. You definitely don't have to party all the time to get into a sorority, or to fit in once you're in, but it probably helps if you're the type of woman who at least enjoys being sociable, whether that means you're drinking or not. And if you really are that busy with school/work that you can't even make the time to be social once a week or so, you probably don't have enough time to devote to being in a sorority, with meetings, service and all. It can mean several hours a week that you're doing sorority-related things. And if you're too busy to attend chapter meetings, do service, or go to sorority-sponsored parties, what's the point of being in a sorority at all? You're not going to get the full experience if you don't have any time to devote to spending with the girls.

[RockChalk]

The nice thing about a huge school is that whatever you want to do, chances are you will be able to find somebody else who wants to do that too. If you want to party, you can find lots of people to party with. If you want to study, you can find lots of people to study with. If you want to hop on one foot across campus while singing the alma mater, you could probably find somebody to do that with you too.

Colleges like to talk about racial and ethnic diversity, but that's not the only type of diversity there is. There's also diversity of personalities. Colleges have that in spades - including the Greek system.

[dzrose93]

The best advice I can give is: Don't listen to what your friends say. Instead, listen to what your heart says.

It sounds as if being Greek is something that you've really been thinking about a great deal. My suggestion is to go through Rush and form your opinions about the sorority women then.

I didn't know much about sororities when I went through Rush either, and I'd definitely heard all the stereotypes from non-Greek friends. But, when I went through Rush and saw all the wonderful things Greek Life had to offer, I realized that it was definitely something for me.

I can't imagine going through college without Delta Zeta. And I can't imagine moving to Atlanta without the support of my DZ alumnae sisters who were already in the area. Wherever I go, DZ is with me. That's something to be proud of.

Good luck in your decision. I strongly encourage you to give sorority life the old college try!

[FuzzieAlum]

I wouldn't listen to non-Greeks' opinions of Greek life. After all, if I wanted to join Junior League, I would ask folks who KNEW about Junior Leage - its members. Or if I wanted to work at United Airlines, I'd talk to current employees to find out what the work environment is like. Etc. Point is, we all have opinions on everything, but most of us aren't really qualified to hold them. Talk to some OSU Greeks if you have classes with them, or if there are any on this board, and see what they have to say.

[AXO Alum]

Here is the link to OSU Greek life:

http://www.greeklife.ohio-state.edu/

I found the 17 NPC groups (since you mentioned going through recruitment) to be very informative as far as links to local and national websites. I'm sure if you were to check into these, that you'd find a lot of information about each group that will help guide you (such as philanthropy, ideals, etc.)

Also, for Alpha Chi Omega, we make our 5 membership requirements open to the public. Feel free to visit our website and see how each of these pertain to you:

http://www.alphachiomega.org

Good luck in your quest for possible greek membership. I know that you will find out VERY quickly that stereotypes are just that!

Feel free to PM me for more information!!

[JoyfulMuse]

Hi again,

Your making me feel lots better. Actually I am pretty social, and thats something I noticed about sorority girls, they are so willing to just walk right up and have a full-on conversation with anyone, just like me. I guess I was always the one to go to the wallflower of the party and get her out there, as opposed to running right up to the girls in the center of attention.

I should have been clearer, I love parties, and I drink socially, but OSU is the 5th most partying school, I mean geez, I do want to make it to class the next day...lol. So I guess I figured that if greeks want to be in the middle of the social scene, and the main social scene happens to be drunken riots at OSU. I've been to some of these kinda parties and if you aren't drinking they really do bug you (how immature is that) and I end up having no fun cause complete strangers are bringing me drinks all night. Maybe I should have been looking at it like, if I had a sister with me, at least she's got my back...lol.

In high school i was in flag corp, and we were 36 strong and spent huge amounts of time together. I had no idea I would miss the bond that much untill we were scattered at different colleges.

Anyway, about having time for all the sisterly stuff, actually this is the first time since I was 15 that I don't have a job. I still work hard, but I just use the energy on doing well in classes. I want a good GPA, to apply to grad school or law school with. So, money is tight but I will cross the dues bridge, if and when I come to it. But adding these huge extracurriculars, philanthropy and leadership of a sorority is exactly the thing I'd like to have on that application. You can only study so much, without having a pick-me-up or little event, or just something that makes you feel like you belong somewhere other than your books occasionaly.

Anyway, I'm sure all those non-greeks would tell me I live in a fairy tale world on this issue, but I'll take it from those who have been there.

Thanks!

[FuzzieAlum]

Well, good luck! You sound like a great addition to the Greek world, and I hope you end up in a house you love.

[linn]

I had lots of friends in sororities at OSU (chi omega, sigma kappa, kappa delta)during the early to mid 90's and greek life only enhanced their college experience. In fact my good friend from High School rushed and pledged PHI MU her JUNIOR year. No one will force you to do anything that you don't want to do. Follow your heart and it will lead you to whatever organization is best. There are lots of people you will meet and some you will be compatiable with and others you won't be. BTW, Phi Mu and Sigma Kappa are no longer there for whatever reason.

[AGD4me]

I have two dear friends who were Greek at OSU, and I can't speak higher of either of them. One of them, as a matter of fact, was in my wedding! I've met several women from the chapter of my sorority there, and they appear to be down-to-earth, good leaders, and very well-rounded. Knowing them, and how they represent the entire system at OSU, I would think you could definitely find a great organization to fit in with. Good luck, and give it a shot!

[Colleenie]

JoufulMuse -

Trust me, there are plenty of girls going through rush who only want to party. Sororities openly welcome and look for women with the qualities YOU possess in a new member. Sure everyone likes someone whose fun to be with but the girl who gets drunk and stupid every night gets to be a drag after a while.

What makes a chapter strong are the well rounded, intelligent, friendly, supportive, and ambitious women who will keep the chapter going for years to come. I'm sure any of the sororities at OSU would be overjoyed to have you as a member.

Rush is a great way to see what sorority life is all about. I never thought I would join a sorority but after my first day of rush (I went to it to meet people), I was hooked! My collegiate and alumnae years in Sigma Kappa have given me more than I ever imagined.
Best of luck to you and keep us posted when rush rolls around.

[Lil_ChiO_Lady]

JoyfulMuse

You will do just fine finding an organization that your looking for and they might actually find you..That happened to me when I was thinking of rushing and my future sisters just came up to me and introduced themselves and invited me to go out for dinner...It happened soo fast but it was the best decison that I have ever made in my life and I am sure everyone else would agree..Just find the girls that you click with..

As for going to parties and being with your sisters,it is the best thing to have someone there to stay safe and keep you company, cause it is a lot more exciting having sisters partying with you sometimes then a guy cause you know the girl won't bother you if you say no to a drink,lol...and god knows you will have some funnyass memories too when you hang out,hehe.

Time management is the KEY to being successful in college and in life really...balancing a social and educational life is very stressful at times but you can always go to your sisters or Alumnae for any help with dues or schooling...

Well I wish you much luck and I can tell by the way you express yourself that your gonna be an asset to whatever chapter you chose...Good Luck!!

Chi Omega

"Scholarship before Social"

"Womanly Always, Discouraged Never"

[SilverTurtle]

First, I have to echo everyone else's advice: try it, you might like it.

But I also wanted to post this:
I live nearly on OSU's campus. I'm not a student here, but an alumni of a nearby small university. I have noticed more than once that the loud keg parties are happening away from the greek housing.

The greek housing is always clean and presentable (well, there have been a few Saturday & Sunday mornings that are questionable, but it's always cleaned up by the end of the day).

I see banners hanging from the houses congratulating members on appointments to student government, for winning awards, etc.

From a true outsider's perspective (me), it's not the greeks that are doing the hard partying @ OSU. Just something to think about.

[osudz]

hi!
i just wanted to say im a greek at OSU and i would be more than happy to tell you about greeks in general there or answer any questions you had. i love it and no its not all parties...but we definatly have a good time. let me know if you want to talk