The "I just dug up my Recruitment Booklet" Recruitment Story
 

Round 1: OPEN HOUSE

I groan when I meet Lisa, because standing right near her is Legacy. Legacy looks bored, and has her booklet (which the other girls are excitedly flipping through) tucked under her arm and is tapping her toe. Jane is not in my group either.

I flip through mine: the pages are glossy and letters and blonde girls stare back up at me.

Lisa chatters on for a while and we're off.

-Chi Omega-
The house is beautiful, with white pillars offsetting gigantic black doors. No one appears to be around, until Lisa knocks on the door. Girls barrel out of the door with a roar. It takes me a second to realize the roar is a cheer complete with clapping. Our line moves forward and I'm wisked away by an absolutely beautiful brunette. We talk, but I'm still a little uneasy and stunned so I remember stuttering, blushing, and being very embaressed. I really liked the brunette and the equally stunning girl she was replaced with and hope I am asked backed. I doubt it though, because I was very awkward there. I scribble down in my book (I notice other girls doing this as we leave, and I decide it might be wise) that I really liked it, the girls were pretty, the house was gorgeous, but I was very awkward.

-Sigma Kappa-
The same scenario takes place here and I am a little more prepared. However, I am NOT prepared for the sheer amount of girls in this house. I have never seen so many women in one place, and I though Chi Omega was huge!!! I don't really recall much from this and I have nothing written in the margins next to it.

-Delta Delta Delta-
This chapter is SMALL. I am double-rushed here. It is awkward as well. When the blonde rushing me asks my major and I reply "Chemical Engineering", she blinks at me for a moment (while twirling her hair) and asks why I'd waste my time on that. The girl I'm being rushed with (Ashley) makes a joke that its to meet men. Blonde continues to twirl her hair and tells me I don't want to mix with nerdy men. There are many silences, and Ashley and I look at each other with sidelong glances. My book has a "No!" underlined three times written on the top of this page. I remember nothing else about the house, except that upon leaving I now knew what a bad rush party was like.

-Zeta Tau Alpha-
This house was beautiful. I was in awe walking up the driveway to the huge brick home. I don't recall much about it, except really wanting to impress these women (and they were very much women, not girls!). Both ladies rushing me were perfectly put-together blondes. I just got a very good vibe from this house. I'm not sure if they did from me, though. My book has only "Wow!" written in it.

-Alpha Delta Pi-
I remember almost nothing about this house! Neither good or bad. I can't even remember my initial opinion about it. My booklet is no help whatsoever either! I do remember hearing Legacy saying that these girls would take anyone and that they were on the plump side, which confused me. (I wondered what she thought of me if those girls were plump!).

-Delta Zeta-
I adored this house. The girls I talked to were so friendly, the house was beautiful, and our conversations just flowed. They were also a gigantic house. Legacy upon leaving LOUDLY proclaimed she would end up here, which I took to mean I had no chance. However, I really liked it still and hoped to get another invitation.

-Pi Beta Phi-
I don't remember much about this house. Someone in my group whispered that these ladies were known as the party girls, and I remember thinking that was not an association I wanted for the rest of my life. There's a question mark drawn on the top of my booklet.

-Delta Gamma-
Katherine's house! Hurrah! I was not paired with her, but I loved the house because she was in it (she did wave to me) and Jane wanted it too. I have a heart and a yes drawn on the top of this page, and I have underlined many things about their symbols and colors.

We go back and we are supposed to rank the houses. Oh: that's why we were supposed to take notes.
I look over my notes and wish I had taken better ones. I'm getting the letters mixed up in my head constantly. I know I'll rank:

1. Delta Gamma
1. Delta Zeta
1. Chi Omega
1. Zeta Tau Alpha

and Delta Delta Delta in last. But what about the others? I can't remember much, so I just throw them in their based on colors and pictures in the book. (Bad, I know!)

On the way out, I walk with Ashley. I discuss ranking with her. Here, I am subjected to my first tent talk. Ashley knows much more than me and agrees Delta Delta Delta should be in dead last. "I wouldn't pledge them if you ever want a date," she said.
(I'm terrified: sorority life affects who you date!!!). When I tell her my top choices, she blinks at me. "Won't those letters make your chest look funny?"

At home, Kim makes me feel better (again!). She LOVED Delta Delta Delta (and doesn't mind Ashley's comment. "Who cares?" she says, "I don't want to date a frat boy anyways.") I find out Delta Delta Delta is so small because they are brand new on campus. She also loved Chi Omega and Delta Zeta. She thought Delta Gamma was "fake as all hell, Scrubadub".

(This is when I learned how much people's opinons can differ.)

I love how you don't keep it dragging. Keep this up!

Agreed. I just settled in with a snack to read recruitment stories...(because my life has come to that) and I really wish yours had an ending. I have totally eliminated like, four of the sororities already. I'm glad you found your book- we weren't allowed to keep ours. :(

This makes me wish I had taken more notes during recruitment.
And it's so nicely color-coded!

(I'm doing it during packing breaks.....)

Round 2: House Tours

Kim and I go to get our schedules and begin the next round. She runs off upon seeing her recruitment counselor and I spot Lisa. I also notice Jane. Jane got asked back to 5 houses. I can't remember all of them, but I do know Delta Gamma and Pi Beta Phi are on there. I remember asking her why she was happy about being asked back to Pi Phi. "Why wouldn't I?" she replies. I make a comment about their reputation. She warns me to not believe everything I hear. "Katherine says that's a bad idea.". (Ironically, I also remember her being excited about Pi Phi because of the mixers they had with fraternities.)

I leave Jane to get my schedule as Kim comes over. She only has 4 invites: Tri Delta (about which she is thrilled), Chi Omega (also ecstatic), Sigma Kappa, and one other I can't recall. She is a little bummed to only have 4 houses, but she doesn't hate a single one so she says she's more than pleased. Some girls are not. I note Legacy on the phone, angrily tapping that foot again.

I finally reach Lisa and get mine. I, too, have 4.
1. Delta Zeta
2. Delta Delta Delta
3. Delta Gamma
4. Pi Beta Phi

I am a little bummed to be cut by Chi Oand Zeta which I loved, and much surprised by the Tri Delta invitation. I had loathed that party. But, they were Kim's favorite house so I was willing to try again. She laughed upon seeing my schedule: "I guess you're going to end up with Delta something. We can buy the first letter of your hooded sweatshirts."

-Delta Zeta-
I actually don't remember a lot about this house tour. My booklet says I thought the house was beautiful and huge, but I do remember the girl leading the house tour for me was extraordinarily snobby. She answered my questions (some of which, in retrospect, were really common knowledge) with a slight huff and roll of the eyes. I was hurt, wondering why I was asked back if they didn't really want me. I was surprised how quickly my opinion had changed.

-Delta Delta Delta-
I saw Kim on her way out and waved. She gave me a thumbs-up. The house was very cute. I loved the decor. The girl who rushed me today was much more friendly but I still didn't click. Kim had described a sense of being home here: I didn't get that and I knew I didn't belong here.

-Delta Gamma-
I loved it! I was absolutely blown away. I'd never seen such a beautiful house. The girl rushing me was super friendly, too. We chatted along, and it was just wonderful. I remember they had a rack for their purses and backpacks and I thought that was just the cutest idea. Their parlor was absolutely amazing. My recruitment booklet says "Gorgeous!" in big letters at the top. I knew, after leaving this house, that I was meant to be a Dee Gee just like Katherine and Jane.

-Pi Beta Phi-
My only "not Delta" house of the day, I had no recollection of the house from the previous round and went in, determined to make my own decisions and ignore the tent talk. It was a beautiful house, with very mature decorations (not like the Party Girl decor I expected). I was very pleased with it and with the girl who rushed me. I left wanting more time here, because I might be able to fit in. I just wasn't sure yet.

As I had only been asked back to four houses, my decision making was a little easier. I knew Delta Gamma would be first, followed by Pi Beta Phi. But should I put Delta Zeta, which I had LOVED Round 1 but didn't like now, last? Or, should I put the house my new best friend would likely end up in last?

I decided to give DZ another try, especially because Tri Delta just wasn't clicking with me.

1. Delta Gamma
1. Pi Beta Phi
1. Delta Zeta

2. Delta Delta Delta
3. Empty

Kim's top 3 were Delta Delta Delta, Chi Omega, and Sigma Kappa. Jane chose Delta Gamma, Pi Beta Phi, and one other one.

One last side note: I remember seeing Legacy yelling at Lisa. Apparently, Legacy had been cut from two of her legacy houses and she was furious! (She still had Delta Zeta,though, because she was with me at that house tour. She was also with me at Pi Beta Phi, and was the rudest guest. I remember her totally disinterested stance. On both the way in and out, she made comments about their weight, which I was appalled by!)

I wish I could find my recruitment booklet. Loving the story so far!

The color-coding really helps keep everything straight in my mind. Great story!!

Round 3: Philanthropy Round

Kim and I go to get our schedules. We both grab Jane and ask how it went. Jane has been asked back by Delta Gamma and her other top choice (I can't remember it), but was droppped by Pi Beta Phi. This does not bode well for me: If she didn't get asked back, I have no chance and I liked them yesterday.

Kim has three houses: Delta Delta Delta, Chi Omega, and one other. I do remember that she was dropped by Sigma Kappa, which disappointed her. But, she had always loved Delta Delta Delta and was loving Chi Omega more and more everyday.

I get my schedule. I also have 3! Hurrah:
1. Pi Beta Phi
2. Delta Delta Delta
3. Delta Zeta

I check it again. Where is Delta Gamma? And how did I get asked back to Pi Beta Phi? Even Jane didn't!!!! Do they realize I'm not a party girl? I'm so sad! I was meant to be a Dee Gee! I knew it! How did they not ask me back?

Kim cheers me up. I still have 2 left which I had loved. She urges me to give Delta Zeta a chance again and reminds me that Pi Phi really grew on me yesterday. She is still hoping Tri Delta will grow on me.

-Pi Beta Phi-
I try and gather myself to make a good impression here. We make bookmarks for children and are supposed to talk during this round, but I have plenty of time to work on my bookmark. My first rusher is 100% uninterested in me. Thank god for the second girl! It is here where I begin screwing up. I continually stick my foot in my mouth. As I leave the house, I remember thinking there was no way I was going back.

-Delta Delta Delta-
I don't remember much about this or the craft I made. I tried talking to my rusher as much as possible so that I could click. I badly wanted to feel at home somewhere! I knew I didn't though, and I think my rusher noticed that I was trying much much too hard.

-Delta Zeta-
Last house! I can make a good impression and I know it! Maybe it was just yesterday that was a bad day.
Unfortunately not. My rusher made me feel as though it were a mistake that I was asked back. I was so distraught!

Ranking was hard, but only because I didn't really have anyone I liked left. I was torn once again between putting Delta Zeta and Delta Delta Delta in last. I switched it up this time. If I was in Delta Delta Delta, at least I'd have Kim.
1. Pi Beta Phi
2. Delta Delta Delta
3. Delta Zeta

I went home confused about what to do. I didn't want to get stuck somewhere I hated, but this was not going well.

Can't wait for more!

Hmm, Why do I think you end up a Pi Phi?

I don't know why, but I've thought the same thing throughout most of the story. But we'll see!

This story is SO GOOD!! more please!

Love this story, and proud of GC for not jumping all over her and suggesting code names. :)

Agreed!!

I thought the same thing!

I LOVE that she hasn't been using code names. So refreshing and it makes it much easier to remember which house is which. I wish more recruitment stories weren't coded.

I agree - I am too old to try to remember them - especially with those with 15 or more houses!

It's that time!!!: Pref

So, we finally get to pref night. Kim and I both look gorgeous: she has on the perfect little black dress with these shimmery, dangling earrings. I had on a red dress that I wore to my cousin's wedding the summer before. We both felt good. We met Jane on the way and we begin to talk about who we hope to see on our list. Jane (no surprise here!) hopes for Delta Gamma. Kim is hoping for Delta Delta Deltaand Chi Omega . I surprise myself with how much I hope Pi Beta Phi is on my list. I had already told Kim how much I screwed up there and recount the tale for Jane. She says I'll be fine.

We find our counselors. I know before I look at my list that I'm in trouble. Lisa is looking at me with such sad eyes, I find myself thanking God I wore waterproof mascara before I even see the list.

My list:
1. Empty
2. Delta Zeta

And the tears start. I try holding them in and do a pretty good job. Kim sees and runs over. She comforts me as much as possible, but must leave for her first party (Her list is exactly what she wanted.)

I sat with Lisa and she explains all my options to me. She was not as bubbly as she had been: she was sympathetic and perfect. She tells me to go to Delta Zeta and see if it can work. She tells me I am lucky to have an invitation from DZ (and that she thinks they are a terrific group). However, she warns me NOT to sign my bid card if I don't feel comfortable accepting a bid from DZ. I won't be able to pledge another sorority for a year and will be ineligible for something called informal recruitment. She warns me that bids from informal are hard to come by, but it is likely a better idea if I really feel alienated at Delta Zeta. She also tells me about an additional council, made up of non-NPC, special interest sororities, might be a better fit. "They're different from our NPC groups, but my roommate freshman year was a member of Sigma Omicron Epsilon and loved it." She leaves me to reapply my makeup with a hug and "Do whatever makes you happy. Give DZ a fair chance, but don't short-change yourself. You'll find a home, even if it takes longer than the others."

-Delta Zeta-
The girls are goregous, all in matching black dresses with glittering "diamond" (at least I hope they weren't real!) necklaces and earrings on. I look around in the sea of black and am glad to be wearing a different color. However, I immediately start worrying that I stand out too much or that I missed a memo saying I should wear black. I am greeted at the door with a hug and a pink rose by a girl I don't know. She knows my name, however, and tells me how great Delta Zeta is and how I must feel so at home. I don't though: I'm not sure if it was the red dress sticking out like a sore thumb, but not even the cute turtle cookie with my name on it made me feel relaxed and comfortable. I felt extremely out-of-place. The ceremony was beautiful by all accounts. Many girls cried, and I tried to make myself cry. (I even remember thinking of very sad things! It didn't work!). My DZ girl hugged me good-bye and whispered "I hope your wish tonight is the same as mine".

I doubted it: I just wanted to find my home tonight. She already HAD her home.

I went back and was faced with a tough decision. Do I chance that Delta Zeta is the place for me and that I will grow to love it? Or do I commit myself to the long (and wholly uncertain) road of COB? Or do I give up on being Greek all together and find a home in a different activity?

I noticed the ease with which Kim filled out her bid card, and knew I couldn't do it. I didn't want to commit myself to a place I didn't feel at home. Maybe, through COB, I'd come to love Delta Zeta, but I didn't trust myself to do it today. I turned in my card blank without a signature.

Kim, interestingly enough, had ranked Chi Omega first and Delta Delta Delta second. Pref had completely changed her mind. "I just felt home at Chi Omega. I knew I belonged there." She agreed wholeheartedly with my decision to withdraw. "If you didn't feel remotely like I did, I wouldn't want you to accept. You'll find it."

She and Jane went off to bid day festivities. Kim happily accepted a bid from Chi Omega. Jane (no surprises here!) joined Katherine at Delta Gamma.

Lisa turned out to be a Delta Zeta. (Kim's RC was actually a Pi Beta Phi).

I found my home eventually, although not in an NPC sorority. I do wonder what would have happened if I had filled out my bid card. I may not have even gotten a bid. I may have and loved it. I may have and dropped out quickly and been sworn off of Greek life.

At any rate, I think I'm going to continue my story and post my COB experience, because it's semi-interesting and can stand as proof that the world doesn't end when your formal recruitment is disappointing.

Besides: Legacy pops up there and THAT is an interesting story in itself.

Side note: I also haven't recieved a single PM telling me to post code-names or censor my story. Way to Go, GC!

I much prefer using the actual name of the sorority! I can sort of see if it's real time that there are some benefits to coding it but idk. Anyways, I'm greatly enjoying your story!

Please do post about COB! I am VERY curious about "Legacy."

Good Story...surprise ending. Thanks for telling it in such a straight forward way.

I have to say, I think Lisa is an exceptional Rho Gamma! It must have been so hard for her not to try to convince you to sign your bid card when you only have her sorority as a choice. She was mature, objective, and she made the process about you and your recruitment decisions, keeping herself and her personal feelings out of everything. I really admire how she didn't force you into being bound for a year, she let you make your own decisions and gave you all the options to do it. If I am ever a Rho Gamma, I really will take what she did as an example.

And of course, I'd love to hear the rest of your story!

This is one of the hardest situations for any PX (having a PNM who has your chapter as her only choice and isn't happy about it). You want them to join, but you can't come out and say that. She handled it very well indeed.

I think that this is one of the best stories I have read in a long time. Thank you for using the real names of the sororities, thank you for your insight and tact. I look foward to hearing the rest of your story.

I am loving this story! First of all, I'm so glad to have real names - I'm too old to keep track of code names. I've gone back and re-read your descriptions several times. What I truly like about this is that you were trying very hard to find a home and honestly admitting that you didn't - regardless of reputation/tent talk/tiers. No matter how hard I read between the lines (and I"m trying...believe me!!) I can't tell if one group is a more - or less - "desireable" one. I'm impressed that you were following your heart - that takes courage at 18!

And most of us have thought, at one time or another, what if I had...? But it sounds like you did what was right for you and it somehow worked out. So...yes! yes! yes! continue the story with COB.

More please!!!!!!!

I'll post more in a bit.

I really do appreciate Lisa's guidance. That must have been so hard for her! My heart broke a little when Kim told me she was a Delta Zeta. I really appreciate her guidance because I had NO idea what my options were. I had never heard of informal and only vaguely recalled hearing that bids were binding for a year. It took a lot of maturity for her to do that. I hope every girl can have a RC like her.

I also think some of my impartiality is due to the fact that I knew relatively little about Greek Life going in. I think if I had grown up in a Greek Family or had a LOT of friends from high school who went to College, I would have had a much different story and experience.

The beginning of COB:

So, I contact the Panhellenic to find out what groups are offering COB.
The list:

1. Delta Delta Delta
2. Alpha Delta Pi

So, I won't be able to go back to Delta Zeta and see if it would have worked. On the other hand, it looks like they did well for themselves, so perhaps I wouldn't have gotten a bid anyhow.

I plan to attend a rush party for both Alpha Delta Pi and Delta Delta Delta even though I really didn't like them, just to see if they come off better in a more relaxed setting. Besides, with Kim and Jane coming back with all their bid day packages, meetings, and socials, I REALLY want to be in a sorority now.

I also see a flyer for Sigma Omicron Epsilon, the sorority that Lisa had mentioned and decide to check them out.

-Delta Delta Delta-
We went bowling. It was fun (when is bowling and free food not!), but that awkward feeling I had at Delta Zeta's pref party was back. I talk to a lot of girls and stay for the duration of the party, but I just don't fit here no matter how badly I want to. I leave, knowing for sure I won't return.

-Sigma Omicron Epsilon-
They had an info night and I was excited to check them out. I walk in, grab some punch, and begin talking to some girls. I'm getting some odd looks and a rather cold reception, and I realize why during the informational. Sigma Omicron Epsilon is an American Indian Interest Sorority, and I am very obviously not American Indian. (In my defense, it is still possible for me to rush them.)

I still have Alpha Delta Pi's parties, though, so I am not TOO discouraged. I also google College's Greek website and look up the other non-NPC or NPHC sororities. (I am determined to do my research BEFORE I attend another rush party.) I am interested in both Alpha Omega Epsilon (I also recall being handed a flyer about Alpha Omega Epsilon in my engineering class) and Theta Nu Xi.

Oh, duh, I completely forgot you mentioned your major... Okay, I'm bettin on AOE now! :)

Kim is fully immersed in her New Member program now and loves it. She is very supportive of me, and offers to accompany me to any COB events. Her excitement about me finding my home gives me some hope.

-Alpha Delta Pi-
I walk in and am immediately greeted with a huge smile. It's a dessert party, featuring desserts from around the world. I am thrilled to be here and am really, really enjoing myself with all the ADPis. As I go to grab another piece of flan, I bump (literally bump) into a familiar face: yes, that's right! It was Legacy . Legacy, who swore up and down that she would never be caught dead at Alpha Delta Pi. Legacy, who was rude beyond belief at their Round 1 party. Apparently she was hoping the tent talk she herself spread was true: that they would take anybody. I ask her how recruitment had gone: she replies (quite icily, if I do say so myself) that her legacy groups were not what she expected.

Another PNM whispers to me that she had been cut from all 4 of her legacy groups the second round. (Oh! That explains why she was on the phone that day.) I allow myself a smile, but on the inside I'm quite pleased. Apparently, being perfect shoes, weight, and connections doesn't assure you a top-tier group.

The party was fantastic, and I leave Alpha Delta Pi, ecstatic to return.

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To make an already long story a little shorter, I went to nearly every COB party Alpha Delta Pi offered, but never recieved a bid. I loved it, but apparently it wasn't meant to be.

:) since my sorority is being installed by AOE as a colony Tomm. i have to post that i hope you're an AOE too.

woot. i'm more excited about this story than i was before!

Scrubadub, come baaaaaack!! :(

/slight hijack

Congrats!!

I'm going to finish it up today, because this has been dragging on too long!

I go to info night for Alpha Omega Epsilon and fall in love. It's cool because everyone is the same major as me! (I didn't think it would be so hard to be the only girly-girl in an engineering class, but sometimes it sucks.) With that alone, I feel at home. The informational night explains the international organization and the chapter, which was fantastic as I knew nothing about either. After the third COB party I attended, I felt that feeling Kim felt with Chi Omega. It just fit.

I was invited to Pref night, which was beautiful. At this pref ceremony, I tried my hardest NOT to cry. It didn't work so well.

I accepted my bid and have been at home ever since. I wonder sometimes what would have happened had I done things differently, but I don't regret it for a minute! I love Alpha Ep and my sisters with all my heart.