By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-09-22 12:06:03 | Updated at 2024-09-30 07:23:41
1 week ago
Kylan Darnell has already spent close to $100,000 to be in an elite sorority at the University of Alabama.
Many would balk at the six figures the former pageant queen, 20, has spent in just two years on outfits, fees and other expenses demanded of sorority hopefuls.
But she told DailyMail.com that dropping, say, $10,000 on a dress is an investment, and she has impressive returns to prove it.
Halfway through her four year course, she has earned more than $1million by sharing her experiences with her growing army of loyal followers on TikTok.
Previously crowned Miss Teen Ohio, Darnell already had a firm grip on glamor.
But the cost of landing that title was a drop in the ocean compared to getting a spot - and keeping it - in Zeta Tau Alpha’s Alabama chapter.
Former pageant queen Kylan Darnell has made more than $1million after joining a sorority
After four years, she will have laid out around $200,000, but if her social media earnings roll in at the same rate she will have made $2million.
Indeed, the figures are not for the faint-hearted. At Darnell's sorority fees alone can cost around $30,000 a year.
For those joining the sorority for the first time a lump payment of $4,581 is charged in the fall semester for new member fees, followed by another $4,441 in the Spring semester.
On top of that are ‘dues’, fees paid to cover the activities of the sorority. These are around $1,400 every month.
For members that choose to live in the sorority’s mansion a fee of $10,422 is charged each of the two semesters.
‘It is pretty expensive to be in a sorority,’ Darnell told DailyMail.com, ‘but at the end of the day I feel like it's more of a networking experience,.
'And I love that I found my future bridesmaids doing it.’
‘I could not imagine what my college experience would have been like without Greek life, it has definitely changed my life for the better.’
Greek Life is the term used to describe the much-coveted experience of joining one of the 26 sororities that operate chapters across different campuses in the US.
Meeting those vast costs will get you through the door - but you also have to pay to ring the buzzer in the first place. And if they don't like you then the door is slammed in your face.
Applications to sororities tend to be a year-long process before a teen has even stepped foot on their new campus.
This process can include paying for the expertise of a sorority recruitment coach, borrowing their parents' platinum card to buy tens of thousands of dollars worth of clothes and fine-tuning an Instagram aesthetic.
Coaching mentors, such as Greek Chic Sorority Consultants, charge up to $5,000 to help young women get into their dream sorority.
Consultancies offer a menu of different services including a one-off $125 for styling advice to around $4,500 for a full year-long mentoring package.
Ever the businesswoman, Darnell has set up her own (much-cheaper) program where sorority hopefuls can pay $100 to subscribe to, giving them access to her tutorials.
At Zeta Tau Alpha’s Alabama chapter (pictured) fees alone can cost around $30,000 a year
Applications to sororities tend to be a year-long process including coaching and interviewing
There are 26 sororities in the US which operate chapters across different campuses
Then comes 'rush', the expensive week-long culmination of this grueling process.
During the stressful week before classes start in the fall sorority hopefuls attend rounds of interviews, sometimes running from 8am to 8pm, and day-long parties in an attempt to impress a discerning hiring committee.
Some candidates can be interviewed by up to 50 different current members of a sorority to see if they are a good fit.
The popularity of sororities has soared since the pandemic, according to experts, leaving them more oversubscribed than ever and upping the need to splash more cash to be in with a fighting chance.
The University of Mississippi's 11 sororities, for example, had 2,461 applicants this year up from 2,221 last year, according to Trisha Addicks, founder of the sorority recruitment consultancy It's All Greek To Me.
Auburn University, also in Alabama, had 2,188 young women applying to join 18 sororities, up from 1,894 last year, according to Addick's personal data.
TikTok influencers have raised the bar for what is expected from outfits during rush and for those who are successful, what it takes to maintain the appearance of a sorority ambassador.
Darnell, who joined Zeta in 2022 is one of the best known personalities among sorority influencers, with more than one million followers on TikTok.
Even though she has already won her place, Darnell estimates that she spends somewhere between $15,000 and $18,000 on clothes each rush season including for fancy dress costumes and more formal attire.
This year Darnell dressed up variously as High School Musical’s Sharpay Evans and Ursula the sea witch from The Little Mermaid.
Darnell (left) spends between $15,000 and $18,000 on outfits each rush season
Applicants can be interviewed by up to 50 different current members of a sorority during Rush
Many see sororities as an aspirational social life, and others appreciate the alumni networking
‘I'm somebody that for me it pays off to invest in clothes because at the end of the day a TikTok video will pay for that outfit,’ she explained of the creator economy she has managed to capitalize off.
Recent investments for Darnell have been a pair of Van Cleef earrings and other luxuries.
‘I do like my Louis Vuitton jewelry, I reward myself more than I should,’ she laughed.
But Darnell understands the business model. Through social media, brand deals and her subscription program the college junior is debt-free, having paid for all her own tuition and sorority expenses.
The TikToker now has her eyes set on the future after Greek life comes to a close in two years time.
Armed with a financial advisor and shrewd management, Darnell has her sights set on a career in sports broadcasting and buying her first home shortly after graduating.
