Congrats on being invited back to all four houses. It sounds like you are looking at this the right way- you definately want to be comfortable with your sorority, it is a lifetime involvement.

As for not meeting Sailboatgirl, there is always after rush to do it. Just because you join a GLO doesn't mean you can't have friends in other GLO's.

Have fun!!

Melissa

Ok!! I just got back from my parties, and I am totally hyped. Last night, I had a good feeling about my desicion, but tonight, as of this moment, I don't know what I am going to do yet. I hope one (or more) houses will cut me so that I dont have to make the desicion, because sometimes, I think that the sisters might know better than you where you fit in.

My first party of the night was Delta Zeta. It was skit night, so the theme was Delta Zeta County Fair and everyone looked sooooo cute. They served root beer floats, and we played little games before the skits like pin the tail on the donkey. I definitely had a really good time here and I was completely at ease, and didnt really have to read into anything that went on, so I dont have too much to say about it. I am positive that DZ will be one of my choices to go to Pref, if they invite me back. I fall more and more in love with them every time I see them.

My second party was Alpha Omicron Pi, and they did a Grease skit. It was, by FAR, the best skit (and it was TOTALLY hilarious) I saw all night and not that the skit is the most important part, or that it should be the deciding factor, but it was obvious that not only did these girls REALLY care about thier skit and trying to impress PNMs, but they also looked like they were having a TOTAL blast and really enjoying themselves. That really reflected well on them because it was nice to know how much they cared, and how comfortable they felt around each other. I don't know between them and ASA which one I would like to attend tomorrow.

My last party of the night was Alpha Sigma Alpha, and these girls never cease to impress me. They again looked SO put together, and if they were fake or not (I had heard some of the other PNM's in my group talking about how the ASA's were fake and superficial) I could not tell. I saw genuine love and support for each other, and I felt like they genuinely enjoyed getting to know me as well. Their theme for the night was ASA paradise and it was of course, very cute. They put leis on the PNM's and they served punch with little umbrellas in the glasses, and it was really cute.

It is going to be very difficult to make my choices tomorrow. I see girls in every chapter that I would be honored to call my sisters, and many that I could see as lifelong freinds. I don't find out my invitations and make the cut (if needed) til tomorrow afternoon, but I will try to get an update of where I am going for Pref night tomorrow night before the parties start.

Thanks everyone for all of the encouragement, but now I am off to eat, and see if MTV is running the VMA show again (I know they will run it like eighty five times more!!), since I was rushing tonight and I missed it!!!

I forgot, I do have one more thing to say that brings me the most concern. I live on the AOPi floor, and have kind of gotten to know the girls (way better than I should, I am sure) and I am absolutely in love with some of them. This has REALLY stressed me out over the past week. On one hand, I really like them, but only bc they have an unfair advantage. I already KNOW what the "real" AOPis are like. Does that make sense? It is easier to like them and feel comfortable with them because I already KNOW them. Thi has just totally strained me and I am confused about what to do. If I would have lived on another floor, I would have felt the same way about them, REGUARDLESS of "where my heart told me to go". I think it is completely unfair to put PNMs on a Sorority floor, especially with all of the silly rules they have. All, and I do mean ALL of the other rushees that live on the AOPi floor (there are three others) want AOPi, and I am not sure that I do, just for the simple fact that I am trying to be as objective as possible throughout all this. And, what if I DONT pick them? I still like these girls, and I know that I will probably move to whatever sorority floor I pledge, but they will be insulted. They already told me (in the least infraction way as possible) that they would always be my freind no matter where I went, but that they might be sad if I moved off the floor and on to another one (and please for god's sake, if you do go to NSU, please do not try to get a rush infration on them. They did NOT say anything about AOPi, so I really dont think there was anything wrong with what they said, at least as far as the rules are concerned). I dont think this is fair for several reasons. AS much as I may like them, I would like to live with my sisters!! I dont want to miss out on all of the sorority fun just bc I dont live with my sisters!! Anyways, That has put a whole lot of stress on me the past few days, and I am really having a hard time trying to keep an open mind and decide what to do tomorrow.

Good luck on making your final decision! It's great that you've gotten so far, already. Have fun for the rest of rush, and please keep us updated!

XOXO,
Annie.

JustHey,

All I can suggest is to listen to your heart and to your mind and let them both lead you to where you feel is best for you, now and for a lifetime. It's good that you are trying to do all that you can to keep an open mind. It sounds like everyone will truly be happy for you regardless of what you decide (I know I'll be thrilled for you, the thought you're putting into your choices so far will benefit you well in whichever group you do pledge!) Please, make the choices that are best for you.

There's nothing wrong with already knowing chapter members or about a sorority on campus and there's nothing wrong with wanting to get to know as much as possible about all the sororities. Sure, of course I'm biased :) The very best of luck when you get your invitations today, because it sounds like you visited three great sororities yesterday. Have a wonderful time at your parties, wherever go you!

Christin

JustHey,

I can only speak from my experience, but I thought it might help...
I went throught Recruitment as a sophomore. My freshman year I lived on a floor with four Sigma Kappas. They were the sweetest girls and, besides my best friend who is in a fraternity, they were a part of the reason I caved in and rushed. I was pretty sure I was going to join Sigma Kappa but I wanted to go through Structured Recruitment anyway for the experience. From day one, I knew there was something about Alpha Gam that I just couldn't put my finger on. Of course, every day I loved Sigma Kappa too...they rushed me very hard and every girl I met I got along with famously...but every day there was that little Alpha Gam voice in the back of my head. When I joined Alpha Gam, everyone was shocked but they all supported me.

My point is that usually there is that little voice inside your head. Whether or not the AOPi girls have an "advantage" doesn't matter because if you feel like you need to be somewhere else, you'll probably feel it. The hard part is acknowledging the little voice. Everyone says follow your heart, but more importantly follow your head. Ultimately you'll make the best decision for you, whether it's DZ, ASA, or AOPi. Good luck and have fun! ;)

JustHey-
You definitely have a dilemma on your hands. It's understandable that you don't want to sell yourself short or wonder if you are missing out on other houses if you go AOPi. But think of it this way.....you *know* that your comfortable with those girls. You just haven't seen their "rush" faces, but know them as people. LeslieAGD's story is a great counterpoint that things can work out in the other direction, so to speak.

Also, I think it's smart that you aren't letting the other PNMs' opinions of ASA color your own. Besides, they may just be jealous of how put together the ASAs are and are worried they won't get a bid there!

Good luck! I'm very excited to hear what decisions you'll be making. :)

JustHey,

It sounds like you are having an extremely successful Rush! I know that you're torn about AOPi since you live on the same floor, but I'm really proud and happy to hear that you're being objective and keeping an open mind. :) If the girls told you that they will still be your friends if you go somewhere else, then believe them and follow your heart.

When I was in school, I had several sisters who had some of their best friends in other organizations, and lived with them for years. One in particular had 2 ADPi roommates and a Phi Mu roommate all at once! :D So, don't worry about what your AOPi friends will think when you sit down with those bid cards. If they are truly your friends then they will continue to be, regardless of where you end up on Bid Day. :)

Anyone who is a member of a GLO understands that pledging a sorority is a personal decision, and isn't one that should be influenced by others. From what you've told us, I really think that your AOPi girls will respect whatever choice you make. The hard part will be narrowing down your choices, because it sounds like you've got some great houses on your campus! ;)

Reminds me of that song that goes... "It's your thing, do what you wanna do..." :D :D :D

Good luck!

justhey -

Do not worry about the fact that you feel close to the AOII's because you live with them - that's completely understandable. IMO, you have gone way beyond what a lot of rushees would do by keeping such an open mind and being so positive about the other groups! A lot of people would say "well here I am on the AOII floor, and I like them a lot, so I'm just going to concentrate on AOII because that makes things easier."

and as everyone else has said, if the AOII's are as nice as they sound, they won't shut you out or be too upset. I remember one of my dorm-mates from one of the other sororities I preffed running up to me when I got my bid, giving me the world's biggest hug and saying "you made a great choice." That meant the world to me.

just follow your heart and be honest and open and everyone involved will win. :D

Justhey--I'm sure that the pnm who said the ASA's were fake are confused. After doing the skit so many times, asking pnm's the same quesitons, it bgeins to get wearing and we still need to keep a smile on our face. That is too bad that the those girls have a negative impression of ASA, but just realize everyone has a different set of eyes and we see things differently.
I can't wait to hear where you are going this afternoon!!!!

Wow, it sounds like you are in one heck of a situation. I don't envy you, but I sure can relate very well. I knew several girls in one of the houses on my campus when I rushed, and it was difficult because they were super nice to me and I didn't want to disappoint them if I didn't choose their house when I rushed. Rush is a trying time for everyone involved, and when it got down to the last day for me I was on the phone with my mom crying because I couldn't choose which houses to pref since there were three that I really loved. (One of which my friends were in.)

My mom, knowing that I can be a little over dramatic(and who isn't when they are 17) said to choose the one where I felt most at home and go from there. So I did....and for the other two, undemocratic though it may be since they both had the same pluses, I flipped a coin.

Pref night for me was insane, I went to one of my coin flips first and I loved them, I was so convinced that was where I wanted to be. Then I went to my comfy house, and wasn't so sure anymore. In the end, I ended up where I should have been in the first place. (And it turned out my rush counselor was an AOII as well, who knew?)

Regardless of what happens, I know that you will be a benefit to any chapter that you decide to join. Best of luck with your decision, and remember to follow your heart.

Roses,
Suzanne

JustHey,

I know you will make the best decision for you no matter what. I believe that the AOII girls are being honest when they say they will still be your friend. When I went through rush I knew a lot of girls in another organization, but we were still best friends after rush was over even though I was in a different house.

Living on the floor must complicate things more than I could ever imagine. What everyone else has said about following your heart is the best advice anyone can give. Most of the time your first instinct is the right answer whether on a test or choosing a sorority. So just sit down for a second and see where that first instinct takes you. Keep in mind that sometimes we try so hard to NOT play favorites that it actually pushes us away from something that could be great.

Please don't think I am trying to push you toward or away from AOII. I know you will be an asset to any house whether AOII or not, so have fun and make the right decision for YOU and no one else :)

Well, I just got my invitations for pref night, so here it goes:






































I got invited back to all three (the three I went to last night, ASA, DZ and AOPi)!!!!!!

I am the HAPPIEST girl in the whole world. When I went to get my invitations, I was SO nervous, because THREE of the girls in from of me were heavily cut, and I was so nervous bc they are so much cuter and sweeter and smarter than me, so I was completely nervous when I went in after them. I almost cried when I found out all three invited me to pref, so I didnt know what to do at all. I did make my descision and I am very happy with it though. I decided to drop ASA. All of my freinds told me I am dumb to cut ASA, because, from what I get they are the prettiest, most popular girls or whatever with the most money and nicest cars and hottest boyfriends, and sure, things like that CAN be important, and I did really REALLY like them a lot, and they have some REALLY sweet girls, but when it came right down to it, I could see myself being good freinds with many of them, but not sisters. I just felt like I didnt really belong in ASA because I just didnt fit in like I think I should have. It makes me really emotional, because I had tears in my eyes during and after thier party last night because I loved them so much. But I soon realized that I did LOVE them, and thats okay, but I didnt neccesarily belong WITH them. I am totally relieved after that experience. So tonight, I go to Pref at AOPi at 7:00 (yeah, I already found out the order), and I go to Delta Zeta at 8:00 I think. I am REALLY really happy and excited for Pref night, and I am already feeling emotional in anticipation for the events that are going to take place tonight. Of course, I do have a favorite, which is Delta Zeta. I think these girls are just AMAZING, and I feel like I would love to call every single one I met a lifelong sister, but I would be perfectly happy if I was not bid by DZ, and AOPi bidded me instead. I would not regret being cut by either house, because if they cut me, then they must know better than I where I belong, so I am not really nervous about the actual Bids, I am just really anxious to find out who (if anywhere) I am going to be spending Bid Day with tomorrow!!!!

PS, to any AOPis or Alpha Sigs out there, keep in mind I had a VERY good impression of both of these houses, and I dont feel negatively toward either one (and maybe after tonight, AOPi might even be my favorite over DZ!!)

Congrats! Have a great time at pref. :)

Have a great time at Delta Zeta and Alpha Omicron Pi tonight! Congrats on going where you want to be for Pref, I'm so happy for you.

Christin