Don’t overlook life beyond Greek row

I am a “GDI.”

For those of you who do not know what that acronym stands for, it describes a person who is not a member of Greek life, and typically, calling someone a GDI is not a compliment

As an incoming freshman, I rushed, but I was not accepted into the sisterhood of my choice so I decided not to join any sorority. The remainder of my freshman year was tough because I watched all of my friends — male and female — attend exclusive functions that only Greek life members or members of their fraternities or sororities were invited to. As if feeling excluded was not hard enough, it was even worse when I would go out with my Greek friends only to have their “brothers” and “sisters” ask: “So what sorority are you in?”

“I’m not in a sorority,” I replied shamefully.

“Oh, you’re a GDI,” he or she would reply, in a condescending tone that I still remember to date.

Sophomore year rolled around, and by this time, I had heard enough of the GDI comments and decided to rush again. “This year will be different,” I thought.

It wasn’t. Once again, I was not invited to join the sorority I so desperately wanted to be a part of.

Looking back, my reasons for wanting to join that sorority, or any for that matter, were shallow. I did not know these girls – who they were, what they stood for – all I knew was they were members of the “best” sorority on campus.

It was not until after I lived with a roommate, who was a member of my “dream” sorority, that I realized how much I didn’t mind being a GDI, because sisterhood behind the scenes was not so glamorous. In fact, it was downright mean.

Four years later, I have found my “sisterhood” in clubs, groups and classrooms, and I have never been happier. At rush, the girls will tell you “be open-minded,” and “don’t write off sororities based on things you hear,” and they could not be more right.

Do not overlook a wonderful sorority simply because it is not the most popular one on Greek row. On the same token, you may find that Greek life is not for you at all. If that is the case, then I beg you to join one of the amazing clubs on campus. Get involved, meet people who share your core values, beliefs and interests.

It may seem like not getting into the sorority of your dreams will be the worst thing that can happen right now, but trust me, it won’t be. In the words of the Dalai Lama, “not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.”