January 5th, 2022

Sorority recruitment: it’s been all over your For Your Page, Instagram feeds, and we are sure you’ve read a million articles about how surface level the entire process is. Yes, we will admit it looks a bit superficial from an outside perspective: rush videos highlight girls with perfectly bouncing hair, who are smiling a bit too bright, and it all looks overly posed. We understand why it’s criticized, and we don’t blame those who view it negatively as their opinions. After each of us has gone through the process, however, we have found it to be one of the most special parts of our own college experiences. Keep reading to hear how each of our experiences went, and for valuable advice to remember if you are about to begin the rush process. 

Alexandra: Going into rush I was certainly intimidated. Everyday I spent hours curling my hair and caking on makeup, strategically choosing a shirt that would translate well on Zoom, and making sure my smile was virtually glued to my face. Hours flew by while chatting with girls about various trivial topics. Sure, it’s a long process and expectations aren’t always met, but at the end of the day, recruitment truly helped me make this huge school feel small. 

Through these interactions I was able to gauge which girls seemed the most inviting, and who truly loved being part of their sorority. I sought a group that uplifted one another and was full of people whose values mirrored my own. Coming from a relatively small town, I was reliant on rush to introduce me to a plethora of people I had never met before. It was difficult going through the process alone, but the individualized nature of recruitment allowed me to find my place in an otherwise overwhelming environment. 

My recruitment process was finalized almost nine months ago. While violently refreshing my phone each morning to see which sororities wished to see me again was certainly a source of angst, I am more than certain that it was worth it in the end. I’ve never been surrounded by such a large group of girls that I am so comfortable with. They know me like the back of their hands, and I am so grateful to have gone through this process. 

Spencyr: While it is easy for us to look back on the recruitment process fondly, I remember the intense anxiety I felt going into rush just about a year ago today very well. My main piece of advice to freshmen is to be yourself! As silly as this advice may sound to anyone about to rush right now, I truly can’t think of a better phrase to keep in mind throughout the entire experience. As overwhelmed as you may feel at the beginning, you will feel more and more comfortable as the rounds continue. And, the saying is true—everyone ends up at the house they best belong in when all is said and done. 

While our process was entirely virtual, the addition of in person components adds a layer to rush that no one our age experienced. While this may make the process seem even more daunting at first, I believe this will give freshmen an even clearer sense of which house is right for them. Soak up every minute of house tours, and really remember how you feel when you leave each house. Can you picture yourself walking into the kitchen each day and having a conversation with any one of your sisters? If the answer is yes, that is definitely a good sign you may have found the best house for you. In terms of outfit choices for in person rounds, wear the clothes that make you feel most confident, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise: the people best for you will love you for what makes you different, rather than the same as the PNM before and after you.  

Lastly, no matter what dialogue you may have heard about different houses prior to rush starting, I suggest going into rush with a completely open mind. Getting rid of all preconceived stereotypes you may have will benefit you greatly in the long run. In the end, it doesn’t matter what Greekrank is saying about the chapter you choose to join- all that matters is that you feel at home with the girls who will become your lifelong friends before you know it. 

Say what you will about Greek life, but it can be an incredible tool to form connections outside of your comfort zone. While being part of a sorority is no means integral to a college experience, it has certainly transformed ours. It may sound cliche, but recruitment enabled us to find some of the best friends we have ever had. If you’re considering rushing, we hope this article provides a perspective that might not be part of the mainstream narrative.