Getting started with Recruitment
It’s no secret that the process of rushing can be an extremely exciting time, while also being nerve-wracking in some instances. More recent Greek life history narrates that while the process can feel long, the results are more than worth it in the end with whatever you decide. It’s key to stay true to yourself and your values in the beginning, middle, and end of rushing, when it comes time to making a decision or receiving a bid.
To start with the basic rundown of rushing, it typically lasts two to three weekends, and consists of meeting members from different chapters. As the rounds go on, you learn more about the chapter itself. It’s important to keep the following in mind when preparing to pick the perfect sorority for you!
It’s important to go into the rush process with an open and positive mindset. Don’t be surprised if you hear stories or rumors about a chapter, as it can be false information. Having an open outlook going into it can allow you to fully immerse yourself in the experience and conversations that you have with members rather than going into the process with your mind made up.
In more recent and past history of sororities, it’s more well-known that sororities have really kicked off the aesthetic outlook on their chapter and within their specific rush process. While it’s definitely captivating to look at, ensure that you’re not looking just at the aesthetic or look of a chapter. Rather, look at aspects like their philanthropy, values, and expectations of their members. Concurrently, it’s notable as well to not choose a chapter based on status and popularity, or to go with a specific image.
Remember, your conversations with chapters matter!
It’s helpful to put yourself in the point-of-view of how you can see yourself in a chapter. If you are trying to force seeing yourself in a chapter, they may not be the right option for you. This is where it’s vital that you’re as authentic and real with yourself as possible. You want to be somewhere that you feel comfortable, heard, and valued. It’s also important to take note of the conversations you have with different chapters, as this can aid you with deciding which sorority or sororities you feel would be a good match for you!
Throughout the process, there are different days where you talk and learn about more important grounds, such as their sisterhood, academic requirements, personal testimonies, community involvement, and an abundance of other topics. These tend to last a majority of the recruitment process, so typically once this is finished, is when you find out what sororities want to invite you to return to their chapter for the final round before they decide who they would like to offer bids to!
At this stage in the process, you should understand that while this is your deciding point, it’s also the chapter’s time to make their decisions on who they would like to invite back and offer a bid to. In this step, one must remember that it’s okay if you may not have gotten an invitation back from a chapter you wanted. This doesn’t mean it’s an end-all or be-all! If you feel like you may have really connected with a chapter and want to continue pursuing that chapter, based on your University and Greek Life Boards rules, you can try rushing again the following year.
Important things to consider
It’s paramount to consider the chapters that do invite you back! Now, it’s highly recommended that you don’t just go with a chapter because they invited you back, but make your decision based on your connection with them and the comfort you feel with them! You always have the option to not attend an invite back to a specific chapter, although, I would highly recommend still attending! Sometimes having a conversation with a member you may not have had the chance to talk to yet can really be eye-opening and give you some new perspective on the chapter! Worst case scenario, you weren’t to join this chapter, but you do gain some familiar faces around campus!
Picking the perfect sorority for you can seem like a lot of pressure is placed on your shoulders, so it’s imperative that you remember to be true to yourself and don’t prioritize what others think of you, but what you think of you!
Going through recruitment you will not only find out more about the chapters on your campus, but more about yourself, too. Rushing is an unforgettable experience that allows you to meet a plethora of different people, so make the most out of it and enjoy the process!
What’s the most important quality that you would like to see present within a chapter?