I’ve mentioned a few times already, but I am in a sorority here at NYU. Greek life is highly underrated here, and we only make up about 4% of the student population (at a school this big, 4% isn’t all that much). Nonetheless, I can honestly admit joining Greek life was the best decision I have made since I began college.
We may be “small” but nearly every class I have taken had another Greek in it, often times more than one. It’s important to form a community and that is exactly what Greek life at NYU does. My sisters have become some of my best friends – friends I know that will last a life time.
I understand not everyone is pro Greek-life, but if you’re on the fence about it at all, here are my top 5 favorite things about being in a sorority (and why it’s even better in New York City).
1. Our “Bid Day” is in Washington Square Park
I mean it’s already pretty awesome my campus itself is Washington Square Park but after stalking numerous other sorority chapters (Pinterest makes this effortless!) our Bid Day celebration seems to outweigh them all. Bid Day is the final day of the recruitment process, in which girls receive a ‘bid’ or invitation to join a sorority. There are presents, baked goods, and usually songs. What more could one ask for?
2. The coolest locations for Semiformal and Formal
Every semester, our sorority throws a formal (semiformal is in the fall, formal in the spring). There really is no ‘formal’ difference between them, but they each hold their distinct name. Because we are in NYC, we are able to find awesome venues to hold our events. One of my first formals was held at Tribeca Lounge, owned by Robert De Niro. Formals are fun anywhere but when they are held at swanky NYC restaurants and clubs, I can’t help but feel even more fabulous.
3. Sisterly bonding
Speaking of awesome venues, our sisterhood events in general are able to be held at fun locations. Sisterly love is comforting, but it’s brought to a whole new level when it can be shared at fun NYC locations such as the Highline or Central Park. Whether it’s a picnic in the park, or a trip to the Union Square outdoor market, it’s amazing to be able to experience all NYC has to offer while spending quality time with my sisters.
4. Friends to try food with
NYC is full of amazing eateries, bakeries, and restaurants. With 80 sisters, I always have someone who is up to try the new diner or cupcake shop that has just opened. Hell, I probably have someone who has ALREADY tried it and can give me a full review. When I need to indulge, there is someone around every corner.
5. Connections
Many people boast that they join Greek life because of the connections they make with alumni and sisters in other locations. I am also guilty of this – as much as I love my sisters, a sorority is larger than just the eighty women in one chapter. The NYC area has a huge alumnae organization, and there are constantly job opportunities and internship offerings coming through my inbox from older sisters/alumnae. In the working world, it really is about who you know, and in one of the most populous cities in the country, it is a benefit to know as many connections as possible.
Regardless of location, Greek life is amazing where ever you go. It’s worth giving a shot!
Lovelies, what are your feelings on Greek life?
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I’m in a sorority and I LOVE it. Being in a sorority in a big city/at a huge school sounds SUPER fun!
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I’m in a sorority in the south.
Big city too! Greek life is pretty huge where I attend school so it seemed almost natural to rush. Recruitment is definitely crazy down here. But I love every bit of greek life!
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@andysigdelt@xanga - I’m in one in the South too!
peony / 1 posts
You all really are perfectly happy being sheeple, aren’t you? Sad….
peony / 1 posts
@SamanthaJ78 - LOL!!! You are SO totally right! It’s ridiculous! And, btw, the girl who wrote this article, or whatever you want to call it, should really pay attention in her English classes, or take them again- because her spelling, punctuation and grammar are all egregious!!!
daffodil / 1615 posts
I’m sure it’s like 20x more expensive in the city too.
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I’m still on the fence about it. I think it will come down to the school I pick, because a few that I’ve looked at have REALLY small Greek populations. One school has 2 sororities and 2 fraternities
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We don’t have sororities in England, and I’m really glad. I hate this kind of “gang” mentality that comes with them – like, you’re forced into friendships with people who you’d probably never hang out with otherwise, and they all just seem to come with so much drama. I joined “clubs” in college related to my interests, there was no pressure to go to the meetings and events, and if you didn’t like someone, you weren’t their “sister” or affiliated with them or forced to hang out with them at events. Oh, and you didn’t have to pay for the privilege either. I dunno, to me it just seems like you’re paying to have friends.
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Sororities and fraternities make me want to hurl.
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@SamanthaJ78 - Sheeple…really?
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@daydreams_nightmares@xanga - It’s really not like that at all, but maybe I just belong to a great chapter.
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@xTHATnena@xanga - that’s the impression I’ve always got. I mean, you have to pay, right? And these girls are your “sisters”? And you have to go to all these events? That’s just totally not me. I don’t like being pressured into doing things and into having to attend events.
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@daydreams_nightmares@xanga - Yea, you have to pay dues, which I’m not a fan of, but obviously events, headquarters, etc. have to get paid for somehow. The events can be time consuming but you don’t have to go to everything either. I’m not really into Greek life, but I’m still glad I joined a sorority. As a transfer and commuter, it isn’t easy making friends at a big school.
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@daydreams_nightmares@xanga - You pay…but it’s for all of the events, t-shirts, national fees, food, etc.etc. I’ve never once felt like I’m “paying for my friends.” You’re also not forced to become friends with these girls, but they become your sisters. Cheesy, I know, but I don’t think anyone outside of greek life can fully understand it. And you definitely don’t have to go to all of the events. Certain ones are mandatory, like initiation, but other than that sorority life is what you make of it.
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@andysigdelt@xanga - that’s the other thing, I don’t like the idea of being “Initiated” into anything. I don’t know, maybe it’s just a big culture difference because we have nothing like this in England :-/. I mean, we have clubs or whatever, but you don’t pay unless you want to have extras (like t-shirts or tickets to events) and nothing is mandatory. I dunno, I just…get the impression it’s something I would really hate, lol.
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@xTHATnena@xanga - ohh, okay. I mean, I’m not trying to bash it or say it’s a bad idea or anything, I guess it’s just not something that ever appealed to me. I mean, my university had clubs and events and stuff, but you just pay when you go to certain events, there’s no obligation to pay for anything otherwise.
magnolia / 1054 posts
I go to school in the same city as you, but I’m at Columbia. Considered joining a sorority when I was younger, but I decided to go rotc, instead. how different, I know
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@daydreams_nightmares@xanga - I don’t think it’s a cultural difference as much as it’s a personality difference. I feel the same way you do.
I transferred to a big school (with 40k students). I work on campus and fed a lot of the girls who were working to getting into them, and my impression was that sororities are primarily a way to make friends, do activities, and pull status. There’s nothing wrong with that, but I’m wholly uninterested.
Like you, I do clubs… but mostly I hide in my apartment with my cat.
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i’m considering joining one which has professional affiliations in my field and minimal event requirements. i’m happy to volunteer a few hours and attend a few events per quarter/semester but i’m not big into the whole “going to swanky night clubs with my sisters” deal – but, like you said, those professional connections are infinitely important. in this economy, one should seize every opportunity possible to make connections – you never know which one will make the difference.
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hmmm
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I don’t think a sorority would have personally worked out for me, though I considered it 4 years ago before I started college. Most girls think I’m weird and don’t get me, and I knew I was better off joining clubs with both genders and similar interests (not that I really did that either, sadly). I ultimately stuck to a student professional organization and later on an accounting fraternitythat did social events and community service on top of the professional stuff. My social life in college was mediocre at best, but at least I got a job.