Which sorority would you join?

[Cutie_Hootie]

Kappa Alpha Theta--love their badge, their symbols, their philanthropy, and the fact they were founded at DePauw and are headquartered here in Indiana. Also, some of my very dearest friends are Thetas, and they are awesome!

Alpha Delta Pi--I love their badge (especially all the choices in jewels!), their history, their philanthropy, and the Prides they have in each chapter. Also, I love that they can have a stickpin guard--it looks really cool with their badge.

Theta Phi Alpha--As a Catholic, I love the fact they were originally founded for Catholic women in order to give them a chance to belong to a society at a time when there was great prejudice against Catholicism.

However, I know in my heart I was meant to be a Chi Omega!!

[violetpretty]

If I had to join any other NPC on my campus, it would be Delta Gamma, Alpha Delta Pi, or Zeta Tau Alpha, since those were the other chapters where I was invited to pref, and reflecting back, I would have been happy in any of them. But that's not the question...

I've actually reflected on this before, and it really made me appreciate my sorority as a National organization and how I feel I found a great fit on both levels instead of just my chapter (which I love dearly). Sometimes I wonder, if I had gone to XYZ University, what chapter would I have joined? I think most NPC women could say that they could be a member of most/all of the 26 NPCs if they had attended a different school (Not dual memberships, just the "What if I joined at this school?") With an imaginary school with every NPC but Sigma Kappa, and local "fit" equal, I would probably pick one of these:

Alpha Chi Omega: I really like the symphony, their background in music, their dedication to the arts, and (in more shallow things) they have one of the prettiest badges in the NPC. They appealed to me during recruitment because I liked that their philanthropy (prevention of domestic violence) was something that helps women, which I think is appropriate for a women's organization. (Not that other philanthropies aren't relevant to women specifically, many of them are, this one just speaks to me.) I also like their tagline: Real. Strong. Women. The chapter at Maryland is particularly well-rounded, high-achieving and diverse. I met an AChiO in one of my classes first semester along with a SigKap and 2 Zetas, and it was their friendliness/laid back/genuine attitude that strongly influenced me to go through recruitment.

Kappa Alpha Theta: What really stands out about Theta to me is that the circumstances of their founding are so similar to Sigma Kappa's. Their founders were first women at Indiana Asbury, and came together to support each other when they were ridiculed by teachers, classmates, and even other women who went to finishing school. I love how Bettie Locke Hamilton demanded equal rights as a woman! I feel like today, they are really connected to their values, at least the Thetas I know IRL. The chapter at Maryland wasn't a fit for me, but they are so strong nationally; it seems like there is a Theta chapter at nearly every prestigious university. Being a Pittsburgh sports fan, I really would have bled black and gold if I were a Theta. And of course, I love their badge!

Kappa Delta: This is another sorority that I view as a progressive women's organization that encourages women to reach their full potential. I particularly like their work with the girl scouts, because it is important to serve as good role models for young girls. I also like the Stand Up, Stand Out! program (I know most NPCs sponsor it, but KD and ZTA organize it at my school) and their support for the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty. They also celebrate National Women's Friendship Day, reminding us what our organizations are all about. They also have a very active alumnae chapter in DC and seem to have very active alumnae across the country. The chapter at my school wasn't really a fit for me, but they have a strong tradition, hands down the most beautiful chapter house at Maryland inside and out, and some of the most dedicated alumnae at Maryland. I know several Maryland KD alumnae who are 70+ and still go to alumnae events and keep in touch with their sisters! Plus, I just love green!

Pi Beta Phi: Pi Phi had closed well before I attended Maryland, so I don't actually have personal experience with a Pi Phi chapter, and I don't know any Pi Phis IRL (actually I found out a friend from middle school joined Pi Phi but I haven't talked to her since then). I like them on an international level though (and the fact that they are international). I like their philanthropy promotes literacy, and I like "cultivating sincere friendship" (is it the official motto, unofficial, or a mission statement?). I think that's what all GLOs strive (or should strive) to do, and Pi Phi put it very aptly. Their colors are pretty (maybe I like them because they are similar to Sigma Kappa's?) and so is their badge. I especially like the one with alternating garnets and aquamarines!

Also pretty high up on my list in no particular order are Delta Delta Delta, Zeta Tau Alpha, Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Omicron Pi, Delta Gamma, Gamma Phi Beta. I admire so many groups, but I had to whittle it down!

[NutBrnHair]

Tough (but fun) question! Everyone knows I'm so pro-Chi Omega, but if I had to choose...

Kappa Kappa Gamma or Pi Beta Phi

Based on their national reputation and quality leadership.

[ForeverRoses]

When I was 17 I wanted to be a Kappa Kappa Gamma- a woman I babysat for was a Kappa and I looked up to her as a role model.

Plus the Kappa HQ are in Columbus and I used to drive by their home when I would go downtown.

But since they didn't have Kappa at my school, I was on my own!

[NutBrnHair]

Originally Posted by Zeta13Girl

I'm curious about you guys determine national reputation just because I know one of these three I've heard the girls are really "ditzy dumb blondes/stereotypical sorority girls" and we don't have any of these sororities at our school so I'm not classifying it based on my encounters or an individual chapter. It's what I've gathered from multiple people's comments. Anyways, I try not to judge this is just what I hear.

Can anyone tell me how national reputation is determined?

I think it's in the eye of the beholder.

To me, overall quality of active chapters, choices of campuses with active chapters, consistant, solid national leadership, quality of programming.

There are certainly others who fit this criteria, but personally, I have a negative bias for various reasons, so I picked Kappa and Pi Phi!

[violetpretty]

Originally Posted by Zeta13Girl

Can anyone tell me how national reputation is determined?

I think Nut means national reputation in terms of strength (like what she listed) rather than being nationally known for having lots of chapters full of pretty blondes.

[LucyKKG]

Originally Posted by Zeta13Girl

Kappa Kappa Gamma - Blue is one of my favorite colors. The fleur deliese flower is very similar (I actually mistook it) to the Iris which I love Irises and Tulips. Their badge is my favorite one as well.

Actually, a fleur de lis is an iris. It's just a stylized version of it. There's no real flower that is called that.

Ok, now my turn. I know I say this way too often on GC, but I was in a local that became a chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma. We chose between them and Kappa Alpha Theta.

Having said that, I was very impressed with the poise and traditions of the Theta women. I like the way their letters look together (silly, I know), and I feel like they have a very classy reputation.

I also like Pi Beta Phi. Maybe it's a Monmouth Duo thing?

[Leslie Anne]

Wow, really difficult question.

It's hard to create a mental blank slate. My love for the Farmville Four just can't be erased so I'm already biased in favor of one of the other three. That's a really tough decision but I suppose I'd go with ZTA because I've had the most contact with them, I love their philanthropy and, overall, they just rock.

On the other hand, I also really admire Theta Phi Alpha. I love their creed, their work for the homeless and especially their Catholic heritage. I'm very drawn to TPA.

So, I guess it would be either ZTA or TPA. I couldn't possible choose one.

[brunetteddd]

Tri Sig. Because my mom was one and they don't have a chapter at my school.

[Jimmy Choo]

I would pick either AOPi or Phi Sigma Sigma.

[BuckeyeTriDelta]

I would have to say Chi Omega, Pi Beta Phi, or Kappa Delta.

[epchick]

I'd chose Pi Phi b/c I love their philanthropy, their colors, mascot, etc.

Before I joined A-Phi, I had wanted to bring Pi Phi to my campus! lol.

[SigKapSweetie]

During recruitment, I was torn between Sigma Kappa and Pi Phi. I made the right decision for me , but if I hadn't gone Sig Kap I would have been a Pi Phi angel!

[lilzetakitten]

Theta Phi Alpha. I like their philanthropy, their Catholic heritage, their creed, and I really like the penguin. Plus, I've seen on chapter websites that their patron saint is St. Catherine, who is the saint I was named for.

[Buttonz]

Wow. Hard one!

DPhiE comes first to mind, because if I didn't rush at my old school and I rushed up here, I'm pretty sure that is where I would have wound up.

ASA, because I love how they are involved in the Special Olympics.

Tri-Sig for the simple fact that I love their colors.

ZTA has a lot that I like from the colors/symblos to the philanthropy

Kappa Delta because they share a philanthropy with SDT (Prevent Child Abuse America).