You won’t understand it until you’ve experienced it. While this applies to many things in life, it is especially true for Greek life. Greek life will enhance your college experience in a variety of ways, and there are many benefits to joining a fraternity or sorority.

We have four Greek Councils that represent 17 percent of the undergraduate population at GW. While each council offers a unique Greek experience, our members all unite to give back to the greater GW community.

The Inter-Fraternity Council (IFC)

Fall Rush begins September 25 and it is just the first step to an extremely fulfilling college experience. During this two-week period, the 13 recognized fraternities just want to get to know you and have you get to know them. You will find fraternities eager to offer good company, prizes, free food and entertainment at locations on and off campus, all free of charge.

If you decide to make a commitment to join a fraternity, you are brought into a community that is held in high esteem around the campus and city due to its philanthropy projects, community service, social events and a tremendous presence in leadership positions across student organizations and the professional world. Those in your fraternity will truly become brothers that will support you in all your endeavors. Together you will throw parties at D.C. hotspots, and your social network will grow rapidly in and outside the Greek community.

We hope that you come to rush with an open mind and enthusiasm. For more information, visit gwired.gwu.edu/sac/greek/howtojoin/ifcrecruit/.

The Multicultural Greek Council (MGC)

The Multicultural Greek Council is the governing body for all of the culturally based fraternities and sororities on campus. In addition to fostering brotherhood and sisterhood, members in the MGC acknowledge and celebrate Asian, Latino and South Asian cultures on campus. The MGC Fall Welcome Events start with Wacky Wednesday on September 20 in the Mount Vernon Campus Pub at 9 p.m. We will transform the pub into an arcade for a fun night of games and prizes along with free food. The following Saturday, September 23, is the MGC/National Pan-Hellenic Council Block Party in Kogan Plaza at noon. It will be the biggest and best block party ever to hit campus. There will be free BBQ, great music and stroll/step performances from various Greek Organizations around the D.C. area. For more information, visit www.gwu.edu/~mgc.

The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)

The National Pan-Hellenic Council was re-established at GW in 2005, and we have six organizations in this group. Recognizing the need for an organization that meets the specific needs and unique history of the historically Black fraternities and sororities, the members of GW’s NPHC unite in brotherly and sisterly love in order to enhance educational, philanthropic and social activities as they relate to African Americans and African heritage.

NPHC also provides an abundance of community outreach to the African-American community in the city. The NPHC’s organizations, which boast a lifetime membership and commitment, hold membership intake at the discretion of the individual chapters. Be sure to come out to events to get to know the members of the NPHC, and enjoy the programming we will have throughout your time at GW. Your first opportunity will be during NPHC week, which will be September 23-30.

The Panhellenic Association (Panhel)

The Panhellenic community is made up of the nine National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) women’s fraternities and sororities at GW. This makes it the largest women’s organization on campus with more than 700 women and counting.

Being in a sorority holds many exciting opportunities and opens several doors both at GW and beyond. Formals, philanthropic events, Greek Week, fashion shows, date parties and sisterhood outings are just a small taste of what being in a sorority is all about. During Formal Sorority Recruitment, September 15-19, young women at GW will have the opportunity to learn more about each individual chapter, and sorority life as a whole. Recruitment culminates on Bid Day, when new members enjoy their first glimpse of their chapter with the affiliated sisters.

Going Greek can help make a large campus like GW feel like a home away from home. To learn more about Sorority Recruitment, please attend the information session on Wednesday, at 9 p.m. in Marvin Center Room 403, and visit our Web site at gwired.gwu.edu/sac/greek/howtojoin/panhelrecruitment/.

– The writers, April Black, Taeho Kim, John Och and Whitney N. West, are presidents of the Panhellenic Association, Multicultural Greek Council, Inter-Fraternity Council and National Pan-Hellenic Council, respectively.