Think sorority life. If you are picturing Elle Woods, think again.
A Johns Hopkins sorority may seem like the biggest oxymoron of them all. After all, if Hopkins is a school known for brilliant, "introverted" kids, why does it even have Greek life? Or more importantly, does anyone participate?
The answer is "yes." Many girls at Hopkins give sororities a try, and most find it to be a worthwhile experience.
For those of you still not convinced, keep reading. There are three types of women reading this article. The first kind consists of southern belles who have been counting down ever since they discovered the very meaning of a sorority.
The next type thinks that sororities are filled with ditzy, promiscuous girls who need to pay for friends.
The last type are the swing voters, who still don't know if sororities are for them.
Well I was the third prototype, my roommate the first, and the president of my sorority the second. Go figure.
It's time to let go of your preconceived notions. You will find that Hopkins is an unusual place. Upon first impression, many of you may claim that Hopkins is "boring" or the people are "strange."
Truthfully, Hopkins students are not any different from the kids at your high school. Yes, there are more than a few who stay in and study excessively, but then there are "the others." These are people who love to socialize and have fun, many (but certainly not all) of whom are active in Greek life here at Hopkins.
There are four major sororities on campus that are part of the National Panhellenic Conference: Alpha Phi, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Kappa Alpha Theta and Phi Mu. In case you aren't versed in Greek, Alpha Phi is pronounced Alpha Pheee, "Kappa" for Kappa Kappa Gamma, "Theta" for Kappa Alpha Theta, and Phi Mu, pronounced FI Mu (Mu rhymes with you).
I promise that each sorority contains amazing women. The sororities slightly differ, however, and for several reasons. You can inquire about this by asking upper classmen. Overall, they all promise lots of laughs, fun times and a photo album full of great memories.
The major sororities each contain about one hundred girls. There is an executive staff and each sorority has one president. All of the sororities have their own secret rituals, symbols and values.
You will see tons of people on campus sporting their letters and wearing their colors. Don't hesitate to walk over to someone wearing sorority apparel; they want to talk to you.
Each year sororities are excited about the prospect of new sisters. Contrary to popular belief, eventually older girls love freshman. Not initially, to be totally honest, but eventually. Let's face it, think about when you were seniors in high school and freshmen set foot on "your territory."
This whole notion fades, especially closer to sorority season. Ages tend to blend at Hopkins. Older girls are really close to younger girls, many of the friendships spurring from simply being in the same sorority.
Your whole knowledge of the sorority process will be acquired mainly by word of mouth. For now, however, you might as well know the basics.
For the four main sororities, you will go through what is known as the "rush process" in the spring semester. This process takes about one week. Over the course of the year, if you are interested, you should attend sorority events that you see advertised around campus.
Many will have an open hot chocolate and s'mores gathering, cookie baking or movie night. If you want to be in a sorority, your goal should be to meet as many sisters as possible.
This way, when rush comes, you have a better idea of the type of girls each sorority is comprised of. By the time you get to rush, you will already have some sense of where you want to join.
The rush process allows you to spend a little bit of time with each sorority by having one-on-one time with a few of the sisters. The process consists of a series of "parties." The parties contain the girls rushing and the sisters. In the beginning of the week you visit with all of the sororities. Your choice then narrows to three and eventually two.
By the end of the week, most people are debating between their final two. One important thing to remember about the rush process is that it is mutual. The girls are judging whether you would be a good fit for their organization, just as you are deciding if a sorority is right for you.
On the final night of rush you attend your last two parties. Later that night you vote which sorority you want to put first, second, and so on.
The process may sound intimidating, but it's not. We are not the Deep South. This means two things: you are not judged primarily on your appearance and you don't have to go around to twelve mansions and have girls stare you up and down as you uncomfortably move about the house. In fact, only Phi Mu has a house on campus and the rush process does not take place there.
In addition to these four, Hopkins has several other sororities. Delta Sigma Theta and Sigma Gamma Rho are two historically African-American groups belonging to the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NP-HC), which coordinates the nation's African-American sororities and fraternities. Alpha Kappa Delta Phi and Sigma Omicron Phi are Asian-interest sororities at Hopkins. Hispanic-oriented Latinas Promoviendo Comunidad became an official sorority last academic year and a multicultural sorority, Delta Chi Phi, gained approval just last spring.
Recruitment for these groups does not necessarily happen in the spring and Delta Sigma Theta and Sigma Gamma Rho are participating in an NP-HC group showcase for any interested students next Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in the glass pavilion.
So in summary, sororities at Hopkins are a bunch of girls who love having a great time. And besides being fun, they are an incredible support system. Ask any "sorority girl" on campus and they will tell you the same thing.
Once you are in a sorority, it's all about having ninety-nine new friends. The sororities are not consumed with how they look, so do not associate your stereotypical picture of a sorority with the ones at Hopkins.
They are like the girls you were friends with in high school -- great girls who are here to make your Hopkins experience not only memorable, but one hell of a good time.
