Sisterhood is a big part of the sorority experience. This sisterhood element is even more evident for those who have a "Big" or "Little" sister in their sorority. Bigs and Littles are deeper, more personal relationships with specific girls inside a sorority.
The selection for "Big and Little" can happen a number of ways. Initially, girls are paired based on common interests. A girl can connect with another right away and know that they will be paired. Other ways of matching "Big and Little" include going out to social events with "Temp" (temporary) big or littles to get to know each other and get a better feeling if they are compatible. Another option is "Preffing" where big and little candidates write down their preferences of who they want to be their respective big or little on a sheet of paper in order of inclination. Depending on the order of preference of what the girls have written down, will determine how the Big and Littles are matched. According to sorority member Erin McColm, this process is not always smooth, though, and can at times be intense.
The Big/Little relationship does not just make one pair of girls exclusive to each other. McColm, a member of the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority, said the process sororities go through is a great way for every girl in the house to meet the newcomers and learn about present members.
"A person you get to know and click with best out of the new pledge class," English junior McColm said about the selection process. "You just there to get used to college and get through stuff. Your big is the person you call if you have a bad break-up." Outside of just helping each other with relationships, Big sisters will help Little sisters adjust to overall college life, like getting through exam weeks and being a source of confidence, motivation and support. The Big/Little bond does not just stop at the end of the participant's college careers. McColm said alumni return to visit their Little sisters to check how they are doing, even participating in each others' weddings.
"You've been picked by that person — That person wanted you," McColm said. "So it's something really cool, and the also it's something you feel loyalty to."
Delta Gamma house at the University of Oklahoma. Delta Gamma is one of many sororities at the university that use the Big/Little system that brings members together.
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