Parents Pay $4,000 For Consultants To Help Their Daughters Get Into A Sorority

Sorority life has been a college staple for many young women for decades. Depending on which university you're referring to, about half (or more) of the female student population is involved in Greek life. Sororities, also referred to as women's fraternities, arose in the mid-to-late 19th century, a time when higher education was primarily a male domain. The first sorority, Adelphean Society (now Alpha Delta Pi), was established in 1851 at Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia. This was followed by the Philomathean Society (now Phi Mu) at the same institution.

The primary purpose of these early sororities was to offer support, camaraderie, and academic encouragement to women in an overwhelmingly male academic environment. As more women started attending colleges and universities, the sorority movement grew. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Greek-letter system had become widespread. Throughout the 20th century, sororities evolved to serve broader roles, emphasizing personal development, leadership, community service, and social networking. They became an integral part of the collegiate experience for many women.

Although sororities are meant to provide camaraderie and mentorship, they are widely known around the country as being the places where women dress alike, attend endless parties, and somehow develop the same personality. The Wall Street Journal recently reported on the lengths to which parents will go to get their daughters accepted into a sorority.

Parents Pay $4,000 for Consultants To Help Their Daughters Get into a Sorority

Trisha Addicks is the face behind the Georgia-based sorority-consulting firm, It’s All Greek to Me, providing indispensable advice to young women aspiring to join a sorority. Addicks’ insights are rooted in understanding the cultural nuances of sorority circles. For instance, wearing Dr. Martens combat boots may not align with the typical sorority style, which leans towards espadrilles during rush.

To ease the journey into sorority life, Addicks offers comprehensive seminars costing $600, aimed at educating both mothers and daughters. A premium package, priced at $3,500, ensures unlimited guidance from sorority mentors throughout the process. This budding industry, which includes consultants like Addicks, addresses a gamut of concerns—from dressing right and communication etiquette to cleansing social media footprints.

Emma Kelley, a recent graduate of the University of Georgia and a member of the Delta Zeta sorority, testifies to the value of Addicks’ consultancy. She emphasizes the intricate balance required in presenting oneself: blending into the culture while also being distinctive.

Joining sororities today parallels the competitiveness of elite university admissions. Prospective members undertake rigorous application processes, inclusive of essays, academic records, recommendation letters, and even video submissions. Stacia Damron, who runs Hiking in High Heels in Texas, likens the complexity to that of securing an M.B.A. from Stanford. Damron emphasizes a strategic approach to your social media presence. She advises against posts featuring risqué outfits or alcohol, and instead encourages content that paints a wholesome picture, like family outings or volunteering.

Leighton Newberry of Recruitment Ready, based in Atlanta, observes a critical challenge faced by the digital generation: real-life conversation. Many are more accustomed to digital interactions than face-to-face conversations. Newberry's services, priced between $150 and $1,000, revolve around improving conversational skills, resume crafting, and managing expectations. As Newberry puts it, rejection from a sorority should be seen as a life lesson, rather than a definitive judgment of your worth.

Recent statistics reveal the competitive nature of sorority admissions. Out of 125,000 women who applied to sororities across 500 campuses, only three-fourths made the cut. This intense process sees applicants undergo multiple rounds of interactions, with each stage trimming the number further.

Against this backdrop, Greek Chic in Manhattan offers a package priced at $2,000, encompassing application guidance, social media insights, wardrobe consultations, and continuous support during rush week. Lorie Stefanelli, the owner, recounts an episode where she counseled an overwhelmed client from a concert venue, showcasing the emotional rollercoaster of rush week.

A notable narrative is that of Shannon Rust, a student from Stamford, Conn., who embarked on her sorority journey at the University of Georgia. Unfamiliar with the intricacies of sororities, she turned to Addicks' consultancy upon recommendation. Shannon's journey wasn't without its lows—she faced rejection from multiple sororities. For Shannon’s mother, Janine Rust, these rejections were harder on her than on Shannon. Yet, the support from Addicks was invaluable, offering both guidance and emotional support during these trying times.

Although many parents and their daughters take sorority rush seriously (so seriously that they're willing to shell out thousands of dollars), most people witness this kind of behavior in bewilderment.

"I still don’t know what fraternities and sororities actually accomplish," someone commented on Instagram.

"If you have to pay $4000 so your daughter can get a bid from a sorority, you've failed as a parent," another wrote.

"No one cares about your sorority/fraternity in the real world. (I was in one). It used to be a way to help you get a job in a world with less networking opportunities (before the internet) and when people rarely left their hometown. Another way to take advantage of college students," one person said.

College life already exists within a vacuum, and everything students do during this time frame seems so monumental, but the truth is, it's such a small chapter in your overall life, especially Greek life. Many adults can't understand why anyone would want to spend so much time, money, and effort on joining a girls' club where all the women weld together into one indistinguishable blob. Other people have made comments about how parents are spending all this money for their daughters to attend parties, get drunk, and hookup with random guys. While this may be a harsh way to put it, it's fairly accurate. Sororities want to put forth a front that they're all about community service and leadership, but at the end of the day, the vast majority of sorority life includes partying, dressing up, and Instagramming. There's nothing inherently wrong with college girls wanting to be part of that life in some way, but it does cross into the territory of crazy to spend thousands of dollars to end up in a particular sorority, as if it's going to affect the trajectory of your life somehow.

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