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This sounds great, I love your descriptions! I'm excited to hear more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jordang312 (Post 1978252)

Hello all!
I thought I would post my sorority rush story for everyone to enjoy!
All I can reveal about myself is that I am an upperclassmen who has participated in USM sorority rush before, but had to drop out because of financial issues with family. Oh! And that I am super excited about the process and have recs this time around. (Because of helpful suggestions...) ;)
Formal rush at USM begins in 2 days and there are 7 houses on campus currently. Orientation is tomorrow at 6 p.m. Sign-up ended and over 400 girls signed up for rush this year!!!! Which is a Southern Miss all time high for recruitment! Last year's number was around 295.

I am so ready for the excitement to begin!

I appreciate everyone reading and any/all support :)

These are the 7 houses, but to be fair it's in code.
I'm using 7 of my favorite movies for the houses:

1.) The Way We Were
2.) Jawbreaker
3.) The Graduate
4.) Heathers
5.) Breakfast at Tiffany's
6.) Lolita
7.) Clueless

Quote:

Originally Posted by jordang312 (Post 1979209)

Hello! First day ended at 2 a.m. last night/today. I went to all 7 houses.

5.) Breakfast at Tiffany's--I went here first. I was very impressed with all their trophies, girls and singing. I met many different girls (4 or 5). They really blew me away! Great first house.

1.) The Way We Were--This was my second house. I acquired a rec for this house and thought that I would really enjoy it. The singing was so awesome. They had it down. The girls were all very cute and listened intently to anything I said. But, when I asked a question I felt there wasn't much feedback. :/ But, overall the party was fun and the girls were sweet! Another great house!

4.) Heathers--I was anticipating this house because many of the girls on campus are dead set on it. I was expecting them to blow me away. But, they didn't. The girls I met were all very nice (3 girls). But, I just didn't feel a strong enough connection to them. I'm very sill and sarcastic. And I said something after the song was over like, "Oh, wow. Did y'all just roll out of bed and sing perfectly today?" And I laughed. The girl was seriously just like, "No, actually we practice a lot." We just didn't mesh well, I guess. I was think Geez! I'm not that naive! I know that the girls behind the scenes are not resting or relaxing and that it took them all FOREVER to get everything straight and it's a lot of work! Anyway, this house was really desired, but not especially by me.

2.) Jawbreaker--I have a rec for this house as well and I loved it! The girls actually asked me what I was looking for in a sorority. I explained scholarship, sisterhood, friends, academics... The girl was ecstatic and just giggled and said that's what we have here at Jawbreaker. She told me that dues were relatively low (plus...plus...plus!) Then she talked about sisterhood events and places the girls had visited. That they were all going to certain concerts together and on planned outing for one or two days and longer trips. I felt like these girls really came across as genuine. They were all beautiful and bright ladies at Jawbreaker. This was probably my favorite house (thus far).

3.) The Graduate--This house does not have an awesome reputation, but I LOVED IT! I met a girl who was from N.C. and told her I wanted to live in Asheville because I believe it's literally heaven on earth. Then, we talked about concerts and how beautiful it was! Gorgeous house filled with gorgeous girls. :)

7.) Clueless--I have a rec for this house and was looking forward to seeing what they had planned. I like a lot of the girls in this chapter. I talked to 3 different girls about school, rush, classes, etc. I liked this house :)

6.) Lolita--I can honestly say this is the only house I did not like. The 3 girls I spoke with were very awkward. Conversation didn't flow and they kept pausing and just staring at me. They seemed nice. Just tired from the whole day, I guess.

We went to selection and finished at 1 a.m.
We had to pick 6 loves and 1 we disliked: (1 being the most liked. 7 being the least.)
1. Jawbreaker
2. Clueless
3. Breakfast at Tiffany's
4. The Graduate
5. The Way We Were
6. Heathers
7. Lolita

Day 2 begins today at 12 and will end between 7 and 9 tonight. So, much earlier than yesterday. :)

Once again, thank you all for reading and all your support!

Quote:

Originally Posted by jordang312 (Post 1979547)

Day 2--Philanthropy Day!
The maximum number of parties was 6 and I got 6! I was cut from The Way We Were, but I wasn't wowed by the girls in the chapter and wasn't upset to see it not on my list. I was much more astounded that I had all 6! We were told by our Gamma Chi's that that is rare! I'm glad someone liked me! :)

My Party List reads:
Jawbreaker
Clueless
The Graduate
Breakfast at Tiffany's
Heathers
Lolita

Jawbreaker was first! I really liked this house! They did something new this year, house tours! The house was gorgeous as well as all the girls. We tried to make a craft, but couldn't get it to look like the picture! The 3 different girls I spoke to were really sweet. I enjoyed their philanthropy video, but it was very sad. I'm pretty conflicted with this house and 2 others. The fees are the lowest for this house! Which is a HUGE plus! I left the house very happy :)

Clueless was next! I went in and was paired with a singing girl and continued outside to the patio. We drank the most delicious drink! It was so good! The conversation was casual and fun. When we came back inside to watch the video the girl next to me looked at me and said this is the most comfortable I've been all day. I told her I agreed and believed that the girls here were very sweet and laid back. It was a nice video filled with silly words that made the pnm's laugh. After, I was picked up by another girl for a house tour. The house was gorgeous, of course. Even though all the houses are the same on the outside, they are SO different from each other on the inside. We also got to see different girl's rooms. That was neat cause we could see some were into music, others fashion, some movies. It was nice seeing an eclectic mix of people. I was very happy when I left this party. Their fees are the 3rd least expensive too! :)

The Graduate was next. This house was kind of intimidating to me. All the girls are stunning. Many girls compete in beauty pageants, etc. The girls I talked to were extremely nice, but I felt conversation was very materialistic. Like where do you shop, I love your ring, etc. I felt they weren't interested in me specifically. All the girls were sweet and beautiful. But, this was not my favorite house. Also, I found out from our fee pages that they have one of the most expensive initiation fees and active fees. I left this house and kept it under consideration.

Breakfast at Tiffany's was the next house. The singing was great once again. But, after it ended the conversation was really lacking. The 2 girls I talked to kept looking around either cause they were disinterested or looking for the next person to bump them. I felt like I had to keep the conversation going myself. It was very forced. :(
When I left the house, I decided it would be one of the ones I cut.

Heathers was the next house. I was really surprised to see it on my party list because it is a very sought after house and I didn't have a rec for it! The whole chapter is very impressive. They've won more awards than any other chapter and maintain a very high GPA. The 2 girls I talked to were so different! But, I really liked that. One girl was very into philanthropic work and the other was a blunt, peppy, sweet girl. I really liked them both. My head is swimming at this point because I really love all 3! I left this house happy, but confused as to what to do! This house has the 2nd lowest fees and initiation!

Lolita was last on my party list. I don't really like this house. To be honest, it's the only house out of the 7 that I really don't like. We were escorted inside and I was paired with a very stoic girl. She seemed very unexcited about her chapter's own philanthropy! She didn't smile or laugh once. I felt that I was peppier than the whole house! I asked questions and talked a lot because no one else would talk at the tables. The conversation was just so forced. I put this house once on my cut list and the second day didn't change my mind.

We went to selection and finished at 11 p.m.
We had to pick 4 loves and 2 we disliked: (1 being the most liked. 6 being the least.)
1. Jawbreaker
2. Clueless
3. Heathers
4. The Graduate
5. Breakfast at Tiffany's
6. Lolita

Tomorrow is SKIT DAY! I am very excited about this day! I've heard it is the most fun from the Gamma Chi's and from the chapter members!The maximum number of parties is 4.

Easier for me to to read it all in one post.

FYI, just because some fees are lower than others doesn't mean that membership is any more financially "cheaper". Some houses include things that others don't. Another PNM here is basing her choices on numbers alone and others suggested not to focus so much on these, because when it all shakes down, there isn't much difference when you take into consideration ALL of your costs, from shirts to favors to tickets to campus events, to costumes for contests or mixers, etc.

Regarding first semester fees - some sororities may charge a "lifetime fee" first semester, while others might do it over the first two semesters, or over the number of years you are there. Others may charge for your pin separately, while some include it. You might not be getting the whole picture.

I just want to reiterate what ree-Xi said. As a Southern Miss Greek Life alumna, I can tell you that the fees for all of the houses are VERY similar in the end. Some sororities charge more upfront in their monthly fees, but don't require many extra fees. Others charge lower monthly fees, but then have lots of little charges tacked on later. I know finances are an issue for you, but you should know that the cost really is very even between the chapters. Don't let that be a deciding factor!

Best of luck! I'm looking forward to reading the rest of your story! This is the first year I have not been able to go back and help my chapter with recruitment as an alumna, and I love hearing how things are going for PNM's. Your story is especially unique since this is the first year of deferred recruitment at Southern Miss! I know you'll find a great home. All of the chapters have lots of sweet girls!

Very true, make sure you check what your fees include, and if they let you take the info home, compare it side-by-side.
While I do agree that the cost shouldn't be your primary factor in choosing a house, I certainly understand that it's something to consider. When I was considering houses there were some that were simply out of my price range for no apparent reason (they covered the same things), and that sort of put me off. If I had two houses that covered the same things in dues, both were equally appealing, and had to choose, I'd certainly go for the less expensive one.
Good luck with your recruitment, keep us posted!

IMO the only time you should consider fees is if you are 100% DEADLOCKED between two chapters - and that's very, very rare.

We had the lowest initiation fees or dues (I forget which) on our campus at one point and some girls did pledge us just because of that. They weren't very good sisters because they had pledged for the wrong reasons.

3rd Day--Skit Day

I got my party list and was really excited because I got the max number of parties again which was 4!

Clueless
The Graduate
Breakfast at Tiffany's
Lolita

I was really surprised to see Lolita on my bid list again. Even after I had cut them every night, but our Gamma Chi's told us that today was a more serious day and that the chapters would ask you if you could see yourself there and explained further that if you could be sure to tell them that and if you didn't be sure to tell them that too.

Clueless was the first house! I love this house! I talked to one girl that I knew already, but then 2 others that I had never met and I liked them all. During their skit, I thought to myself, I'd really like to be here. I made sure to tell 1 of the girls I talked to that I've felt good here from Day 1 and really enjoyed their skit. I left this house feeling good. :)

The Graduate was the 2nd house! I know this house is extremely desired, but I don't feel like it's home to me. The girls were all sweet and nice and their skit was something right out of a movie. But, I couldn't see myself there.

Breakfast at Tiffany's was the 3rd house! I really love Clueless, but another part of me would be happy here also. All the girls we sweet and funny and so energetic! I think this was the loudest house on the row! Haha. These girls clearly have a ton of fun, wherever they are. I left this house happy. :)

Lolita was the last house. The girl I was paired with talked to me before the skit and asked me if I could see myself here. I collected myself and explained that I felt much more comfortable in some of the other houses and felt this was not the home for me. I felt bad saying that, but my Gamma Chi assured me later that they respect you a lot more for telling them than lying and saying that you're having a great time, when really you are not. Another girl came and talked to me about her rush experience and to not get my heart set on any particular one. But, I have kept an open mind this entire rush! Honestly, the only house out the 7 that I could never see myself in was this one. The girl told me that she was realistic and all 400 girls going through rush would not end up all at the same place. I left this house kind of upset because I didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings, I know every girl loves their sorority with all their heart.

We had to select 2 that we wanted to go back to. And 2 that we didn't want to go back to for Pref Night! Ah! It got here so fast!

1. Clueless
2. Breakfast at Tiffany's
3. The Graduate
4. Lolita

Today is Pref Day/Night! I am very excited and anxious to get my party list! Wish me luck everyone!

P.S. I talked to my Gamma Chi about finances! My Gamma Chi, along with all of you, are correct! It's about a $250 difference between each of the sororities. That definitely won't make me or break me! This puts my mind more at ease! Thank you all so much for your helpful advice! :)

I'm having a great recruitment because of much needed advice from GC!

Quote:

Originally Posted by jordang312 (Post 1979787)

I was really surprised to see Lolita on my bid list again. Even after I had cut them every night

You didn't cut them, you ranked them lowest. 2 different animals.

And it's not a bid list yet, it's a party list. :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by 33girl (Post 1979809)

You didn't cut them, you ranked them lowest. 2 different animals.

And it's not a bid list yet, it's a party list. :)

This.

Many times, PNMs think they are "cutting" the groups they put on the bottom. Nope. You're just saying those are the ones you want to come back to the least. Doesn't mean you won't be asked to return.

I relate to this story. I'm an upperclassman going through recruitment this semester at Southern Miss.

Sorry, I meant to say that I had put them last every night during selection. Not cut. :/

4th Day--Pref Night

Pref Night was SO amazing!
The maximum number of parties was 2 and I got the maximum again!

My party list read:
Breakfast at Tiffany's
Clueless

I was so happy and excited! Both of these houses were filled with great and wonderful girls! I'm happy I got my 2 loves!

Breakfast at Tiffany's was first. All the girls were dressed beautifully. The handed us flowers and explained to us what their sorority meant to them and asked us how we felt about it or if we could see ourselves there. I told my rusher that I really do love all the girls in the house and think the world of them, but that I felt that my heart and home was somewhere else. She said she completely understood and told me not to worry, that I would end up where I was meant to. All the women sang to us and recited their creed, which was very beautiful and moving. A lot of the pnm's cried because they were so touched. I left this house sure that it would be my 2nd choice, but knew in my heart if I did end up there I would still be very happy.

Clueless was my second party. All the girls looked beautiful in white. They all just glowed. :) One of the girls spoke to me and asked me what I was thinking and feeling about everything. I told her that this is where I was happy and comfortable from day one. I said that they all seemed very relaxed and at ease with one another. I felt like conversation flowed and that I was really myself with them. They sang beautifully and talked about what Clueless meant to them. One of the girl's speeches was so sweet I started to cry. I am not an over-emotional person and when I teared up, it just hit me even more how much I loved it there. :)

I had no regrets when I went into selection and chose:
1. Clueless
2. Breakfast at Tiffany's

BID DAY IS TOMORROW!
I am so excited!
Once again, thank you all for your wonderful advice!

Can't wait to hear your results - Have fun tomorrow!

Thank you so much honeychile! :)

BID DAY!

I got offered a bid from Clueless!

I am happy to report I am now a Pi Beta Phi! :)
I am SO happy!

Congrats to you and to Pi Beta Phi!!!!