This time of the year is #recruitmentszn and the week of rush is quickly approaching. I went through my own sorority recruitment last year and found a load of great friends not only on the other side of it all, but throughout the process. Here are things I constantly tried to remind myself, wish someone had told me, or I'll tell anyone who asks me about sorority things!
1. In each round, ask questions about the sorority and why the girl chose it.
This will help you get a general idea of the ~vibe~ of each sorority, while also acknowledging your match's experience. By listening intentionally to their answers, you will better be able to gauge if you could see yourself there in the long run. It's also a nice balance of conversation rather than the girl on the other side constantly being the one to ask questions.
2. Enter each new schedule with a mind of opportunity rather than negativity.
Try not to compare your schedules with girls in your Gamma Chi (or whatever they are called at your school!) group. This may just get you in a really negative head space, which is definitely not what you need when going through sorority recruitment. Walk in to each house with positivity and give each girl you talk to a fair opportunity.
3. Trust the process. (you will hear this a million times, I'm sorry)
Everything you have been feeling has been felt before, whether that be excitement, dread, sadness, or rejection. Just focus on the positives, which is that the process will carry you to conclusions. This may be that you find a sorority to chill with, or maybe you decide that Greek life isn't your cup of tea. Just trust that everything will work out!
4. Go through recruitment with an open mind.
Yes, even if your mom or sister is in one specific sorority. Or if you've always wanted to be in one certain sorority since you were four years old. Having a close mind wipes away so many opportunities, so just have an open mind about it all! Your personal rush experience is unique to yourself, so it's unrealistic to have specific expectations about sororities.
5. Be honest with yourself and the girls you are talking to.
As cheesy as it sounds, act like yourself and not like someone else in an effort to fit a mold. Besides, college is such an amazing opportunity to break any mold you were cast in to in high school. Be genuine about your interests and personality, and everything will work out.
6. Keep in touch with who you meet through recruitment.
You will meet so many girls in your Gamma Chi group, waiting in lines outside houses, and then your new pledge class! Obviously, you'll be keeping in touch with lots of girls in your pledge class but remember all those other girls you met along the way! It's fun to have a balance of friends between sororities, and of course a balance of Greek life friends and those who aren't in Greek life.
7. Sororities are not meant to define you.
Wherever you end up, always remember that your sorority does not define who you are. Greek life is cool because it offers an amazing opportunity to get plugged in to a community that cares about you very quickly into starting college. If you feel interested in this opportunity and that it's beneficial for you, then go for it! But it isn't for everyone, so be understanding of that.
Recruitment can be nerve-wracking and scary, but it's also so exciting. I hope these helped at least one person out there!
