Sorority recruitment can be uncomfortable, overwhelming and downright confusing at times! We all know that committing to a forever home in such a short amount of time is kind of a crazy situation. And for all you 2020 rushees, things are even crazier with online events, constant changes and extra safety precautions in light of COVID-19. Emotions will go to a lot of different places during rush, and it can be difficult to separate your mind from your heart when making these big decisions…and that’s ok!
When you’re in the middle of the process, it’s important to stay open and remember that everything happens for a reason. While you may have your heart set on a certain house, we encourage you to still give Greek life a chance if things don’t pan out the way that you had hoped. The process really works and you have to trust it!
Find your Fit
After an emotionally draining experience, there’s nothing more discouraging than ending up in a place where you feel like you don’t belong. Be mindful that no matter what letters you wear, you will find your fit within a sorority and meet people who will become like sisters to you.
Even if you think you know everything there is to know about a sorority based on your experience during recruitment, there’s still so much to learn and so many people to meet! During recruitment, you only have the chance to talk to a few girls and shouldn’t base all of your opinions of a sorority on those people alone. When first joining a sorority you aren’t so sure of, try to ignore any stereotypes or rumors you may have heard and take the time to get to know the people you will be spending the most time with—your pledge class. Real connections are made when you open yourself up, relax, and focus on being authentically yourself. That is what Greek life is all about!
Embrace the Greek Community
Just because you’re in a certain sorority, doesn’t mean you won’t have the chance to meet other people! The Panhellenic community is filled with so many amazing women and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to spend time with other people outside your sorority and be a part of something bigger. From philanthropy events to Greek mixers and more, sororities interact with one another all the time and support each other in the best way. Being a part of the Greek community is a life-long experience that can truly make a positive impact on your world.
Consider Continuous Open Recruitment
If you’ve given it a real go and still are feeling like something is off, you can always consider dropping your sorority before initiation and trying out the process again in a different way! While there are certain rules that prevent you from rushing twice depending on the circumstances, (check out this blog post for additional information) many sororities continue recruiting even after formal recruitment in order to meet their quota. If this is something that interests you, you can continue to visit houses, attend events, and see if another house feels like a better option for you! If you’re considering COR, just be aware that you must drop the sorority you initially accepted a bid from prior to initiation. For more information, check out the NPC guidelines here.
What you make of Greek life is entirely up to you! Every sorority has something special to offer, and we know you’ll never regret giving something a try before making a permanent decision. No matter the outcome of sorority recruitment, you’ll be joining a lifelong sisterhood and will make friends that will last a lifetime!
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