I show Saddlebreds! Very similar and very different at the same time...

Kiwi,

You might be the most interesting GC PNM I have ever read about! I am a rush thread addict in the Fall (spring is too busy for me workwise) and this one is going to be really good.

You sound like a very well rounded young lady.

Good luck in recruitment. We will all be living vicariously through you and remembering our own experiences.

Denise

Thank you!! I hope that I will be able to provide an exciting, accurate portrait of my rush experience! School started here yesterday, I think my classes are going to be really fun. Orientation for rush is in 2 weeks, and rush itself is 2 weeks from tomorrow. I have met some really nice girls in some of the houses so far, I'm hoping that seeing the familiar faces will calm my nerves once rush begins! I have heard opinions from everyone and their mother about which houses to join and which houses to stay away from, the horror stories of initiation and blah blah blah. I'm trying REALLY hard to not listen to anything they say - I want to form my own opinions on each of the houses when the time comes.

On another note - I think I'm getting sick :-( I got a sinus infection in January that stayed with me until the end of April...I'm still suffering the effects of post nasal drip, eeeew. But my allergies have been going strong since I got down to school, and I think my sinuses are getting infected again. Trip to the health center for me tomorrow! The last thing I want is to go through rush with a stuffy head, sinus headache, and a box of tissues under my arm! Although I'm sure that would be a major selling point for all of the houses ;-) More updates to come as the time grows near!!

well, you will be remembered....you know, that girl with the tissues. when i went to a formal in high school, i brought a box of tissues and a paper bag to throw out the used ones. i kept it under the table. i had a good time because i was with my friends, but i was miserable bc of my cold.

get on the sinus decongestant as quickly as possible!!! and have fun!

Eeee I'm getting so excited about rush!!:D

Are you feeling better?

Good luck w/ recruitment!

For your cold, try Mucinex - it was a perscription decongestant until last year, now its over the counter. Its a little expensive but it really does the job if your stuffed up!

I did buy some mucinex when I first got my sinus infection in january...it seemed to make everything thicker though so I stopped taking it. Maybe I'll try it again. I am not feeling that much better, but it will be ok...I will just pop lots of allergy pills and decongestants before I head out for rush! Only a week!!!

Orientation is tomorrow!! Well...technically today!! SOOO EXCITED! :-D
I will post as soon as I get home! I can't wait to get this started.

Ooooh I'm excited for ya!! good luck!!

Just got home from Recruitment Orientation!!! It really got me pumped up - not that I wasn't already! They did a quick slide show of the different houses, talked to us about policies and what not, and then we split into our rush groups. My group is pretty large ( I think my rc's said it was the biggest?). We got our tshirts and other goodies, they prepped us on tomorrow, and here I am :-)

We meet at 5 tomorrow and open houses go until 11:05...we finish them on Saturday. I will post my thoughts on the first set of houses tomorrow evening!!

now it's time to shine...
good luck

Aaaaamazing
 

Ok...First OFFICIAL Rush Update!! I know you are all excited :-)

Today was AMAZING!! We went to 9 houses, and we will be going to the remaining 11 tomorrow. We met with our groups at 5:00 and basically just sat around for 45 minutes until it was time to head to the first house. It was super hot outside, even after the sun set...I'm not looking forward to tomorrow, but only because of the heat!! We have a break though from 12-4 so that is good...time to shower and freshen up! Anyway, the houses I visited tonight are as follows:

Sapphire
Judgement
Oberon
Untouchable
Authentic
Royal Kaliber
Stardust
Special Envoy
Fleur

SAPPHIRE: Love love loved this house. Had an amazing conversation with one of the girls, and the house itself is beautiful. I could definitely see myself there. There opening skit was really cute, but it scared all of us half to death. We just weren't expecting the sudden burst of singing and stomping of feet! I want to say more but I don't want to give anything away right now...hopefully I will be going back there for 1st invites :-D

JUDGEMENT: This house was nice, and they had an incredibly cute skit, but I'm not sure if I could see myself there...it is probably # 5 on my list right now. The conversation flowed pretty well, but it was a little forced at some points. There were 2 rushers and 2 rushees at a table, and this whole cross conversation thing kept happening - it made it difficult to carry on a conversation, plus it was incredibly loud in there.

OBERON: Again, this house had a lot of nice girls, but I didn't really feel a connection. They had an amazing skit...all of the houses did really. Not really much else to say about this house right now...not sure if I'll go back.

UNTOUCHABLE: Ok, another house that I absolutely loved. I had heard a lot of things about the house before hand...mostly negative, but I tried not to let that influence me. I talked to 3 girls there and they were all sooo nice and I felt really comfortable with them. The house was gorgeous...probably the prettiest house I went to all night. They sang a song at the end, but it was very calm...a nice change from the other houses. I really hope I get invited back!!

AUTHENTIC: I had high hopes going into this house, and they realy lived up to them. I think I enjoyed their skit the most, had really good conversations...the 3 girls I talked to seemed super interested in what I had to say and getting to know me. They had good snacks too! :-) Before rush started I thought this would be one of the 3 houses I could see myself ending up at...I still can see myself there, but not as much as I had previously thought. This is 3rd on my list right now.

ROYAL KALIBER: I enjoyed this house more than I thought I was going to. The conversation flowed well, but it was definitely not the best conversation of the night. Again, their skit was really cute and I felt like I got a good feel for the house. Not sure if I could see myself in the house, but as of now it is 4th on my list and I would like to go back.

STARDUST: Really nice girls, but I can't see myself there. Not really much else to say.

SPECIAL ENVOY: This house was only participating in formal recruitment through open houses, so I will not be going back to this house unless I go to some informal events. I didn't feel any kind of connection with these girls, and I can't picture myself as a sister.

FLEUR: This house was ok. I had good conversations with 2 girls - the second was better than the first. Again, I can't picture myself in that house.

I am really looking forward to tomorrow...I had such a good time tonight and I wasn't the least bit nervous like I thought I would be. We meet with our groups at 8:45 tomorrow and we finish tomorrow night at 8:40, after which we will rank our top 10 and bottom 10. As of now this is how my top 10 looks (I only ranked 4)

1. Sapphire
2. Untouchable
3. Authentic
4. Royal Kaliber
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

I will post tomorrow night!!

I love Mafia movies, so I'm rooting for Untouchable. :D

good start...lots of water tomorrow and baby wipes if necessary for a quick cleanup.

I'm glad you had a great first day! I'm rooting for Sapphire for you!:)

It's break time!! This morning we went to 4 houses - Fantasia, Clasiko, Casanova, and Gem Twist!!

It is incredibly hot outside today, so it is nice that we have a 4 hour break during the hottest part of the day...even if it is just for the football game!! I was going to go to the game, but I decided it would be a better idea to just chill in the air conditioning and relax for a bit...maybe do some hw.

FANTASIA: Really pretty house, and the girls were nice...but not for me. This house will not be making my top 10 list.

CLASIKO: AMAZING!! The girls were super sweet and their skit was the best so far. It really got me pumped up! I could totally see how close they were to each other and how much fun they have together...I could see myself in that house.

CASANOVA: I'm not sure where I stand on this house. It could make the top 10, as a 9 or 10 probably, but that depends on how I feel about the 7 houses I have yet to visit. Probably won't make the list, but the girls were nice...conversation was a little strained though.

GEM TWIST: Ok let my preface by saying that coming into rush I was probably a little biased on this house. I knew a lot of girls who had been members of this house when they were on campus a good 7-8 years ago. I had very high hopes going in, and like the other houses, they completely lived up to them. I spoke with 4 girls, all were very nice. I felt like I had a lot in common with 3 of them. The house is beautiful, as well as all the girls! I really hope I will have the chance to go back tomorrow for first invite!!

So I'm not really sure where I stand in ranking anymore, but Gem Twist and Clasiko are added to the list! :-)

Tonight we pref our top 10...so I'll let you know who I picked!

Wow, I'm impressed with your dedication updating during your break and all ;-) It sounds like you're having a great time and meeting some amazing women... yay!! Can't wait to hear how the rest of the day goes!

Oh, and I don't normally root for sororities in these but I think I'm going to pick one this time: Sapphire. It's my birthstone and also the gem of my sorority :-D It doesn't hurt, of course, that they were one of your favorites!!

wow...may things continue to sparkle for you.
enjoy

The second half of today went really well...it went by faster than I thought it would. So here goes...

CALYPSO: Really pretty house, AMAZING AIR CONDITIONING! haha, we were all dying from the heat so that was very nice. The conversation was slightly strained - it was me and 2 other girls going through rush and 2 rushers...one was really peppy and convo flowed well with her, the other one didn't really have much to say. The house made my top 10 though...you'll just have to wait til the bottom to see where :-)

TOUCH OF CLASS: This house blew me away. I had one of the best conversations there and I think I would fit really well into the house. I was very surprised by how much I liked the house - I knew I would, but I didn't think it would be one of the favs.

NICK OF DIAMONDS: Eh...the girl who rushed me wasn't very nice to me :-( and the conversation was very forced. Not really for me.

BIANCA: I didn't really know anything about this house going into it, but I came out with a very good impression of the girls and the chapter as a whole. We toured the house a little...it was very pretty, and the girls were all gorgeous, but they seemed very down to earth.

TOM BOY: This house had a really cool theme and their skit was super cute and funny. I had good conversations, but overall I didn't feel very comfortable in the house.

The seventh house we went to wasn't participating in Formal Recruitment past today, so I won't be going back there.

TAYLOR MADE: This was the last house I went to. It started off really bad. The girl who was rushing me ignored me for the first 5-10 minutes and talked to the girl 3 down from me because she overheard something she said and I guess they had it in common? Anyway, I sat there in silence and it was really awkward. I tried to look past that though and look at the girls. The house wasn't really a good fit for me.

The moment you have all been waiting for! haha...The Top Ten List!

Sapphire
Touch of Class
Clasiko
Untouchable
Gem Twist
Authentic
Roylan Kaliber
Bianca
Calypso
Judgement

And the bottom 8

Casanova
Nick of Diamonds
Fleur
Tom Boy
Oberon
Stardust
Taylor Made
Fantasia


We meet at 9:20 tomorrow to pick up our invites and first round goes from 10:00-6:30 with one 45 minute break. Hopefully I will be going back to the max 10 houses...my rc's said it is very rare for girls to go back to less than 10, so we'll see!! My top 5 are pretty even so far, so I'm hoping tomorrow will pull at least a few ahead! I'll update sometime in the evening...or maybe Monday. 3 tests monday morning to study for after Rush!!

Oh my goodness! That's a lot of sororities...but it sounds like you're having a great time and keeping an open mind:) Good luck with rush and tests, I look forward to the rest of your thread!

Ok just picked up my invites...sorta depressed, but hopefully things work out ok. I was invited back to the following houses:

Stardust
Fleur
Judgement
Casanova
Touch of Class
Fantasia

My fav's dropped me...and I'm pretty sure I know why, but I will post that at the end...I don't want to give anything away!!!

I guess I'm not too upset, Touch of Class was my number 2 house, and I've heard tons of stories of girls getting dropped by all their top houses but 1, and ending up there...so hopefully that works out for me too!! So this is how I'm ranking them

Touch of Class
Judgement
Casanova
Stardust/Fleur
Fantasia


I know the last 2 or 3 aren't for me, especially the very last one, but I am going to be as open minded as I can be going through the houses again today!

I visit the houses at 10:45, 11:30, 1:00, 3:00, 5:15 and 6:00.

Good luck! I hope you either get into Touch of Class or who knows? Maybe one of the other sororities will become more to your tastes as the week goes on. :)

KiwiJuice, just keep "a touch of class" about yourself - the rest will fall into place! ;)

may today be a good day...
best of luck.

Ok, so I went to my remaining 3 houses yesterday after our lunch break, and again...Touch of Class blew me away!! The girls were so incredibly sweet and down to earth, I loooooooved their skit, the house is beautiful...I could see myself wearing their letters :-) I'm just praying I don't get dropped from that house because out of my 6...it is the only house I'm really in love with. I could also see myself with Judgement, but I don't have as strong of feelings for it. I am still torn on Casanova...I liked the girls, but I can't tell if I'm a good fit with them. But as long as I get invited back I will continue to go and keep an open mind.

I don't find out who I get invited back to until Friday (we go to a max of 6)...it will be a long week

a very long week.
all the best to you.

Recruitment is an emotional process. Some houses can definitely catch your eye later in the week and surprise you. Have fun waiting!

what a long wait to find out your invites!! i hope you make it through the week! best of luck for the next round!

Friday?!? That's a really long time.
Good luck!

Definitely worth repeating - the GLOs which may not have impressed you initially may *WOW* you as you get closer to Pref!

Here's hoping that you get all six return invitations!

I'm going to continue the "broken record" and encourage you to remain open about all of the groups you get invited back to. As we've seen from other threads this year, opinions about houses change throughout the process. I would hate to see you miss out on a wonderful group by not maximizing your opportunities.

I definitely plan on going to all the houses I get invited back to with an open mind. I've read tons of stories on here about girls falling in love with houses in the last couple rounds. I just really hope I have the opportunity to attend my fav house too, because so far it seems like the best fit. And even though I will continue with recruitment if I get dropped, I know I will be very upset Friday if their name is not on my list. But positive, happy thoughts!! My conversation went really really well with the 2 girls I talked soooo hopefully that's a sign!! Thank you to everyone who has wished me luck! It means a lot!! I will update Friday, but it won't be til late b/c we pick up our invites at 5 and go to the first house at 5:30. I believe we are done at 11 something?

At least it's almost Tuesday...

Ok quick update...I still have 1 house to go to tonight...I got invited back to 5 out of a possible 6. Not too shabby...but of course, the house that dropped me was my favorite :-( The further I go in these rounds the more and more I feel like I don't fit in 3 of the houses I keep getting back. Again...the girls are all really nice, but I just can't see them being my sisters. My number 2 house - Judgement - I'm still really really hoping I end up in, and my feelings on Casanova were definitely changed tonight. For the first time I felt like I really clicked with the girls I talked to...so I'm feeling better about that. The other 3 I really just don't think are for me. I'm suuuuuper paranoid that those will be the 3 houses I get invited back to tomorrow for pref. I think if that happens, I will be dropping. I know everyone says that feelings can change as rush goes on...but tomorrow is the last day, and everyday I feel more and more like I don't belong...so I don't think pref will change that. Well...My last house is Judgement tonight...10:30-11:15! So I'm going to freshen up a bit and head out!! Wish me luck...I need it!

please consider going the distance and seeing what happens.
you won't know how or what unless you play the whole thing out.
then make a decission.

If it makes you feel better I thought I had this one favorite house, and then they cut me....so I forced myself to go back and then I found out slowly I belonged somewhere else. So to make a long story short - what at first seems like your favorite, may not be by the end of the week. B/c I wouldn't trade my house for anything!!

GOOD LUCK!!

Okay, I have held my tongue for a long time on this thread, because it is obviously at my alma mater, but I am posting now, and if I am out of line, PT and Carnation, feel free to delete.

U of I is a huge, wonderful greek system. Even the smallest chapters are 80 women strong. And let me tell you, the difference between 80 women in your chapter and 150 women is not much. You are going to make friends and find opportunities in both, and they all have gorgeous chapter houses.

In addition, the strong chapters CHANGE every few years, on both the sorority and the fraternity sides. I have seen a half a dozen dedicated men or women turn a chapter around more than once. I have also seen large chapters get lazy in their rushing or risk management or scholarship or sisterhood/brotherhood and fall in the ranks.

The big awards -- chapter of the year, greek woman of the year, chapter president of the year, etc. rotate pretty evenly among the chapters as well.

Women in my chapter had friends and dated men in every chapter on campus, as well as many independents. In fact, many of my friends would come by my chapter house and comment on how sweet all my sisters were and how much fun they had at my house, and there is no greater compliment.

With so many chapters, not every one is going to shine during FR. In recent years, my own chapter has become COB pros, and we love the idea of getting a more diverse group of women by looking outside the group that knows the second week of school that they want to be in a sorority. Of course, in prepping and budgeting for COB alongside FR, we have fewer resources for FR.

So all that said, I would never encourage you to accept a bid from a chapter at which you are not comfortable. I will, however, encourage you to:

1. Go to prefs tonight no matter who is on your list. You don't get that list until you are all dressed up anyway, so at that point you have little to lose. If you don't walk out of one of those chapters wanting to be a sister, don't sign a bid card.

2. If FR does not work out, attend COB at some of the chapters that didn't impress you during FR. Some of them are just simply much better in the informal setting, and you will get to meet far more women.

3. Stop and think about what your sorority experience means. I admit, I was not in the most popular chapter on campus, but I love my sisters and there is something special between us that goes beyond friendship.

Two weeks ago I watched a pledge sister give a toast through tears and a goofy smile at the wedding of another pledge sister who was the most beautiful bride I've ever seen. With the perspective of age and maturity, I would never trade that or those women for a better social calendar second semester of sophomore year.

I wish you the best of luck, and I hope you find what I did.

Well said, DeltaBetaBaby!

I second that!

Exactly. This may be un-NPC to say, but the very, very top 3-4 chapters and the bottom one or two don't really change in reputation from year to year, but that leaves about 14 chapters that do. In my experience at U of I, those 14 chapters have up years and down years. There are a riduculous number of fraternities at U of I - they outnumber the sororities by FAR, so pretty much every chapter has exchanges with "good" fraternities. Also, with chapter sizes pretty large, most people will be able to find great friendships within a chapter if they really try. I can't speak to the COB thing, because when I was there it didn't exist, but I am glad it is there if it is giving more chapters and more women a good Greek experience. I am not going to suggest that anyone accept a bid from a chapter she hates, but I will say that at U of I, being a non-Greek can be pretty difficult. It is a huge, huge part of campus life there.

As has been stated many times with The Above Posts, today is now, Tomarrow may be different as so go Chapters.

So (?) Everyone wants The Biggies?

The Neat Fraternities want them. BS. The lowest Chapter of a Sorority was the only one to lback us as a Local and We were very greatful to them. Many of us married some of those Ladys. I didnt, along with many others and they finally left campus sorry to say!