I wish you were kidding but I know you're not. This reminds me of a few times when I've interviewed people remotely. Despite stellar credentials, I remember the woman who showed up in a sweatshirt or another who got up during the interview to go to the bathroom and you guessed it - she had on pajama pants.

How is it that people - adults interviewing, much less girls going through rush - don't realize they're "on" in the same way they would be in person???

I also heard about the PNMs that didn't take the zoom rush seriously. News travels fast. I wonder if the combo of not taking the video chat portion seriously and not submitting the "optional" video is the reason why so many girls are dropping out this year or being dropped from rush. I feel like I'm hearing that this is happening much more than in years past. Hoping that the girls who are still participating have a great pref and find their home. Can't wait to hear how it all ends up this year since it was all virtual.

How are they doing the Zoom chats if their roommate is also a pnm? I can't imagine trying to engage and focus on a conversation with a roommate doing the same 6 ft away. It must be incredibly distracting!

I keep thinking about all of these online classes about to start under the same scenario and wondering how they will all make it work.

Conversely...how are the actives doing Zoom chats if they share an apartment with girls from other sororities? Theres only so many places you can go to get away from people? It all sounds really, really hard!

Headsets or earbuds might help.

They are doing them in their bedrooms, closets, bathrooms or any other place where there is not another person. The chapters that I am familiar with gave instructions on buying single color tablecloths that you tape to the wall and then use one of the zoom backgrounds that the chapter created. The virtual backgrounds match the clothing/theme for the day and help everything look "clean" during the breakout sessions and when they do big "everyone" views.

For the chapter I work with, we were not allowed to put the girls in alumnae homes if they had roomies that wore different letters. Seriously, I know some girls that share bedrooms and are recruiting in closets and bathrooms. No one can tell because of the virtual backgrounds. During work week, they got the kinks worked out on their zoom spot. Now, with roomies, it is a little bit of a trust and honor system that the girls aren't "talking." Spoiler alert--they are. This is a year more than ever that it's important for PNMs to be on their best behavior on every single call.

This reminds me of taking the AP Spanish Test in the 1980's...40 kids in a room (all wearing headsets) and having to talk at the same time. In Spanish. I literally sat there for a full minute saying "Uh, uh..." because I was so distracted.

For chapters that are competitive with each other, yet friends and roommates, I foresee lots of "listening through the wall..."

SweetHomeSTL, Curious as to how your girl’s rush has ended up. Is she attending her favorites for Pref today? Hope she’s had a great experience and hope she finds the perfect sorority home!

Unbelievably - yes! She had 8 Sisterhood parties & had a really tough time ranking her favorites but ended up asked back to her top 2 today. Still loves them both, so I will be FaceTiming one happy girl at 1:30 tomorrow. :D

I think this virtual thing was REALLY up her alley! Not that she couldn’t have done as well in person, but she has time to take notes & mentally process every party in turn without running back and forth in blistered heels and 100 degree temps & humidity. This class of 2020 as a whole is making a lot of lemonade out of their lemons!

I’m so glad to hear that!! Sounds like she really went into this with a positive attitude. Hope her day today is great and can’t wait to hear who she’s running home to tomorrow!

Wonderful news! Please keep us updated when you can.

What time is bid pick up today?

Not as much "tent talk" and PNMs basing more on personal conversations -
Advantage: Virtual Recruitment

Bid day is today! I hope everyone has a great day!