is it worth it to go greek at usf?

It's totally worth it. It makes USF feel like a small college full of supportive sisters. You meet so many people with so many connections.

Usf greek life is not like it is at fsu or even uf. It's very small and isn't a huge thing on campus. However, if you want a lot of friends it is a great way to meet people and have something to do with your time!

It 100% completely depends on what you do with it, which sorority you join, and what you value. That’s why values based recruitment is so important because if a chapter ends up with a bunch of girls who don’t belong there but we’re initiated because they’re pretty or rich or what not, the new girls won’t be happy and ultimately the chapter will die.

My time in Greek was not the best. If I could go back and do it differently, I WOULD in a heartbeat. Here are some things I wish I did better:

1) I wish I went into recruitment as... how do I say this... the “epítome” of myself. My best self. I should have taken the extra time in the morning to make myself look the best I can look, because ultimately it’s a self-fulfilling prophecy. Once you get to recruitment and realize every girl there is looking a certain way but you, you’ll feel really inadequate and it’ll rub off on your conversations with sisters. They’ll get a weird vibe that’s not “you” and might end up dropping you. This is why it is important to do your makeup, have your nails done nicely, and have outfits picked out ahead of time. Not because the sororities are judging you on them but because when you’re in an auditorium filled with the most beautiful girls at USF, it’s really easy to feel self conscious.

2. Once you join, get to know your new sisters immediately. This is a time where you need to get out of your comfort shell to hang with your pledge class (other new members) and get to know the older sisters so you can find a “big” you really love. If you don’t do this, it’s easy to get left in the dust. You’ll be at events and your sisters will have already grouped-up per se, and you could be on the outs. This is why quite a few girls “drop”. If you do what I did and “just go to chapter”, you’ll quickly be MISERABLE. Meanwhile, my twin got involved and she adoooresss sorority life.

3. Go to sisterhood events and really any event with your sisters, and be persistent during your first year. Try to go to everything you can. Really. It looks good on you and on your chapter. It also keeps you in the loop. If you’re good at something your chapter is competing in, join your chapter’s team.

4. Apply for a position to make your mark on the chapter.

For the most part: those are the big ones.

I have a really, really random pro-tip for you. The first day of recruitment is usually called “spirit day”. It’s supposed to be very informal. Do NOT dress completely informally. The first day is a big day where you’ll be meeting all of the sororities before anyone gets dropped on your side or theirs. It’s also super easy to feel self conscious. I showed up in an outfit similar to the one in the Greek life recruitment pamphlet and I felt very out of place. Most of the PNMs showed up in nice, designer, non-USF colored outfits. (Not really dresses, but if I could give you a picture, something from Chico’s, Express, or Francesca’s. A few Lily Pullitzer things also.

bumping for more opinions