It’s 6 a.m., and the sound of alarms starts ringing throughout the sleeping dorms. The hall smells like hairspray, hot tools and perfume. It’s work week, social media time starts at 8 a.m., a TikTok is being filmed at the front of the house, and everyone is required to participate. We are encouraged to like, comment and repost to maximize the engagement of potentially new members (PNMs). During breaks, everyone watches #BamaRush, seeing a new outfit of the day or a get-ready-with-me.

But as much as we post the dances to get the attention of the PNMs, this is not an accurate representation of what sorority life is. For some, social media is the first impression of a house and sets expectations before they even sign up for recruitment. But, the reality of Greek life is much different than the social media glamour. 

I did not go through formal recruitment. Instead, I went through the continuous open bidding process in the spring. I was originally deterred from Greek life because I feared the formal recruitment process, and because of what I had seen on TikTok, I thought it did not align with me. Instead, I found women who cared for my well-being and wanted to know me as more than a friend, as a sister. Now that I have been part of recruitment for two years, I see that the experience cannot just be based on highlights posted on social media. 

The first problem is that social media portrays Greek life in such a surface-level way that it does not fully express the authentic experience. Moments that are easily filmed and posed take over TikTok. #RushTok currently has 1.4 million posts of Greek houses dancing, PNMs showing where they got their outfits and not hiding their luxury brand names. This creates competition and standards that obscure the true purpose of recruitment. 

What is not seen is the hard work and dedication from behind closed doors, and the genuine bonds that are created in hopes of bringing in new members. Social media has influenced the stereotype that we are looking for outfits and beauty rather than personality and passions. 

Along with the 1.4 million #RushTok posts, #BamaRush follows behind with 1.3 million. As seen in the documentary “Bama Rush,” the University of Alabama has the largest fraternity and sorority community. 

Alabama’s Greek life community totals 13,154 members, with 8,039 members in the Alabama Panhellenic Association, compared to Kansas State’s 680 women in the 2025 recruitment season, which was a considerable number compared to recent years. 

The difference shows that the social standard is not fluid throughout universities, which should make social media scale differently for each chapter. Following the most viral influencers or houses does not compare to the atmosphere that K-State recruitment has created.

Lastly, the recruitment season is typically the only time Greek life is highlighted on social media unless it is about hazing or incidents. The majority of the year is not as entertaining for mass media to indulge in, so why are we focused on TikTok dances during this time? 

Dancing does not represent the reason that women join, but rather the moments that bring us together as a sisterhood. With the time that has come for recruitment to go viral, pushing content that is rehearsed and performed does not feel like what we stand for. It raises the question of whether it shows what matters most or shows what will get the most engagement and views. 

Social media has brought plenty of attention to Greek life, but it is not all harmful. The flashy dances and rehearsed moves do bring engagement and numbers to our Panhellenic community. New members can see the chapter’s personalities and can use posts as a tool for connection. Being visible to PNMs before recruitment starts helps bring attention and accessibility to girls who may not know what to expect, but these TikToks are not always creating a realistic point of view.

Overall, the chance for representation recruitment brings to social media is not fully taken advantage of. #Rushtok does not show the real opportunities that Greek life has to offer and K-State’s recruitment does not compare to big schools going viral on TikTok. Social media is just a highlight of the experience, and the only way to truly know what Greek life holds is to take a chance and find out for yourself.