DEAR ABBY: I am a junior in college, and I recently transferred from a two-year school to a four-year school. I have made a few friends, but their class loads are so heavy I don't get to spend much time with them. I, on the other hand, have a modest class load, so I have more free time, and I'd like to make more friends.
I have considered joining one of the two sororities on campus. But I am worried that if I do I will have to change my personality and likes/dislikes in order to fit in. Many of the girls at this school are very "cookie cutter," while I'm a more "eat the whole roll of cookie dough" type of person. I'm not concerned with how I look vs. how they look, but rather if I will fit in. I want more friends and friendships that will last beyond school, but I don't want to lose who I am because I joined a sorority. Please help. -- TO RUSH OR NOT TO RUSH
DEAR TO RUSH OR NOT: Don't rush to rush. A sorority is not the only way you can connect with people. Membership in a sorority does not guarantee that you will have friendships that last beyond college. They are like any other living arrangement -- people make friends with others they connect with. If you want to widen your social circle, the same thing can be accomplished by living in a dorm and joining clubs and special interest groups on campus.