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Sorority stereotypes: fact or fiction?

by 

Victoria Garcia

Anna Fata

Ryan Haddox

Greek life is prominent among many campuses nationwide. Texas universities are especially known for its large, competitive Greek systems. Women at the University of Texas join sororities for many reasons including gaining friends, social activities, and networking opportunities after graduating. 

Some outside of the Greek system may see sorority and fraternity life as frivolous, elitist. Non-Greek UT students like Jeff Wilson and Nita Mandar say they associate sorority women with money and status.  Other stereotypes are that sorority girls are dumb, party-girls who go to college to find a husband, and not a career.

Women like Madison Preston and Mallory Hood are both Greek at UT. Preston said her decision to go Greek has nothing to do with status. She found true friendship and support when her father died at the beginning of her freshman year. She said it would have been difficult to stay at UT if she did not have the support of her sisters.

Mallory Hood negates the stereotype that sorority girls are dumb. She is a biology and psychology double major. She said her sisters are hardworking, and she looks forward to their successful futures.

Statistics show that Greek students have a good track record for success. Forty of 47 Supreme Court justices have been Greek. And all of the Apollo 11 astronauts were members of a sorority or fraternity. There are many positive and negative stereotypes regarding Greek communities around the nation.