If you asked me during winter break about my college's upcoming sorority recruitment, my response would have been simple. I would have said, "I'm really excited to rush! But I'm going to keep an open mind and I know I will find my home."
Needless to say, that wasn't the case at all. I wasn't open-minded at all during recruitment, despite everything I said to friends and family prior to it. A little open-mindedness on my behalf would've allowed me to find my home quicker, and it would've saved me from the most stressful 22 minutes of my life.
Here's why:
The first day of recruitment was a blur.
I talked to sisters from 8 different sororities; I spent 35 minutes in each sorority's chapter room and made small talk while trying my hardest to not act weird or let the conversation dive into intolerable, unutterable silence. I remembered that I liked every sorority I attended and I had two that I liked in particular, both of which I came in with preconceived notions about. I ranked my top sororities and waited to be called back the next day.
I was only invited back to two sororities.
Going from visiting eight sororities and liking all of them and then only getting invited back to two seemed ridiculous. Nevertheless, one of the sororities I was invited back to was a top contender of mine; so, I wasn't disheartened much. I enjoyed my time at both of the parties I attended. Next, I ranked them.
The following day of recruitment was also the final day of recruitment.
We could only go to 2 parties, and I was lucky enough to be invited back to both of the sororities I ranked the day before. At my top contender's party, I was an emotional wreck; I even cried a bit.
Meanwhile, the other sorority was perfect in every way. In the end, I based my decision on the fact that I cried during one of the sorority's parties, and not what my gut had been telling me all along. After I voted, I returned to my dorm room. Now, I had to wait until 4:00.
I spent the afternoon with my boyfriend, who was desperately trying to get me to eat some leftover Hibachi, but I was a total wreck and couldn't focus on anything. I was nervous, ready, and about to explode all at once. Finally, at 3:38, my phone rang. It was my Rho Gamma, or the person who let me know what was going on.
I didn't get a bid from my top contender.
It was gut-wrenching, but I handled it with dignity. As I was preparing to say goodbye to my Rho Gamma, she stopped me by saying: "You got a snap bid from the other sorority." I asked what a "snap bid" was. She told me that the sorority was still offering me a bid, despite the fact that I hadn't chosen them as my top contender.
I immediately panicked and asked to call her back. Now in tears, I called my mother; I was frantically trying to make a decision as to what to do within the next 22 minutes. I eventually made my choice. I wasn't going to be close-minded anymore; I wasn't going to keep living in my preconceived notion world anymore. I was going to go to my home; the place where I truly belonged.
I took my bid happily. I smiled as I read it. I walked outside of the building to see my sisters. At first sight of them, all decorated in green, gold, and A LOT of glitter, I began to cry. I knew that this was the place that I belonged. Without hesitation and doubt, I ran home to my sisters' arms.
It is difficult to stay open-minded during recruitment, especially when you have ideas of what you want and have friends in a certain sorority. I encourage you to try your hardest to give ALL sororities around you a chance; you never know what exactly can happen!
Maybe you could find your home, too.
