It’s that time of year again! Sorority recruitment is right around the corner, and we can’t be any more excited! As sorority girls head back-to-school early for spirit week or some of you may know it as “work week,” we are looking forward to reuniting with our sisters, catching up with the latest gossip, and most importantly working hard to put on the FINEST recruitment possible. As a senior, I find myself reminiscing of my own rush process and wishing I knew what to expect back when I was a college freshman. Therefore, here are some essential tips you should be aware of to slay the sorority rush process!
Outfits
Let’s start with clothes. When you are going through your closet or splurging at the mall, the most important thing you have to remember is BE YOURSELF. When you walk through the door on your very first welcome day, the sororities want to see who you are! So, don’t go out and purchase a Lilly Pulitzer dress just to “fit the part,” unless that is your style. Don’t go out and purchase a wardrobe you will never wear again. Sororities have hundreds of girls shuffling in and out of their house, so, look your best and try to stand out, to make a good first impression. Here are some tips you should take into consideration to get recognized:
- Keep It Classy
- Plan your outfits out the night before
- Wear comfortable shoes
- Accessorize
- Bring a tote bag filled with anything you could need between rounds!
- Water
- Mints (not gum)
- Hair Essentials
- Makeup for quick touch ups
- Deodorant & Perfume
- Safety pins
- Feminine Products
- Hand Sanitizer
- Yummy but CLEAN snacks
Conversation Tips
Whether you are a recruiter or a potential new member, you must master the technique of small talk during sorority recruitment. Personally, I believe this is the most important aspect of recruitment because having a fluid and enjoyable conversation, indicates if you have a true and valuable connection with the girls. If you see yourself having a natural discussion without a worry in mind, you probably found your home. Below are some of my go-to tips when I was rushing for a sorority.
- I never let anyone influence my opinion
- I always asked questions about the house, philanthropy, and sisterhood
- NEVER ask about boys, drinking, or politics.
- Give every house an equal chance
- Always be engaged
Be Open-minded
Anyone who knows me, knows that my heart brought me home to my chapter and it was absolutely one of the best decisions I made at Ohio University. However, going through recruitment I had several different influences making my decision quite difficult. My advice to you, is to never listen to anyone besides yourself during this stressful but fun process. Also, never look up Greek ranking websites, you should never have these silly websites alter or sway your opinion on a house.
Take Notes
Most schools will give out little notebooks about each sorority, keep this in your bag to refer to if need be. Taking notes will help you remember the people you meet, what you like about each house, the types of conversations you had, and the overall feeling you had about each sisterhood. I know this can be difficult to do when you are running from house to house but it will be your saving grace during ranking time.
Remember Girls, trust the system and your heart will bring you home!
Good luck, Don’t be nervous, and enjoy Bid Day.