I am very nervous that I won't get a bid.
 

I am currently rushing as a sophomore and I absolutely love it. Today is Skit Day and I am very excited to see how everything turns out. For Philanthropy Day, I only received 6 matches back from sororities. Today, I only received 3. Tonight, we go back to the computers to choose who we like for Pref Day tomorrow (although I won't really be choosing since I have less than 4), but I am very nervous that I won't get a bid on Bid Day, since I have so few sororities to begin with. I love the 3 sororities I am going to today, but am afraid that they'll see me again and not like me or I'll get a girl that is a dud, and I won't get a match for any tomorrow or get a bid on Bid Day. I really want to join a sorority so badly! I definitely know that Greek Life is what I need to not only make more friends, but to become more involved on campus.

Have any of you ever had friends or others you know who had a small selection of sororities to chose from throughout the entire week? Any advice??

There are quite a few stories on here of girls who had drastic cuts (for example, a 7 party round and they only got 2 groups) but still ended up in a sorority they loved. Believe me, if you have 3, that's 2 more than some girls rushing with you have.

Just be sure to maximize your options when signing your bid card - which it sounds like is not an issue with you since you like all the groups you're going to. Again, that's a lot more than some girls rushing with you have.

:D

It only takes on group to get a bid - good luck!

You cannot control the outcome of recruitment so stick with it and hope for the best. Many universities use the release figures method of "cutting" PNMs during recruitment which can seem harsh to many PNMs but in reality lets you spend more time and get to know the chapters that are really interested in you. Focus on these groups instead of the total number of houses on your campus or the maximum numbers of groups you could have visited for the day. Enjoy the experience and good luck.

You've received great advice so far. Ultimately, you can only control your own attitude and behavior in this situation, so don't spend time worrying that they won't like you or you'll have a "dud" recruiting you. Keep putting your best foot forward and having a positive, confident attitude. Good luck!

"Buy the ticket, take the ride!"

Meaning...go full steam ahead to your remaining houses. Put your best foot forward at each and every one. Every time you feel that doubt creeping in, push it out of the way and be mindful of what you're doing (participating in a party, a happy event, where you are meeting new people) and smile.

And like the above posters said, "It only takes one..."

Good luck Diet coke. My only advice is to list all the houses that continue to invite you back, especially after pref. day. I know of several girls in a recent SEC school recruitment who were invited to only one pref. party and they still received bids. I hope things work out well for you!

Cuts happen. Look at your Rho Chi group. I bet not everyone else in your group has full schedules. Wherever you go when you don't have a recruitment party, I bet there are other women who have breaks in their schedules too. Each chapter is told to keep and cut a certain (and different) number of women by Panhellenic. The system is designed to maximize both the number of PNMs joining and the number of chapters making quota.

Some schools will guarantee a bid to a PNM who attends and ranks all of her preference party chapters regardless of whether she has a full schedule, more correctly termed guaranteed matching. Perhaps ask your Rho Chi if this is the case at your school.

It is wonderful that you like all 3 chapters you have left! There's no reason not to continue. Keep your chin up.

Not sure if you are quoting him, but this is one of my favorite Hunter S. Thompson quotes.

THIS!!!

I am indeed...it's my favorite too! :) Glad someone else caught it.

What a seamless application of wisdom from Fear and Loathing.

And I agree with everyone else, don't worry about things you can't control, be mindful of the things you can, like finding ways to really let your personality shine. Good luck to you!

Agreed with everyone who has said you don't need a full schedule to get a bid.

There may be girls you are rushing with that are only going to 1 house.

I know it's easier said than done, but relax & enjoy the ride. It will be over before you know it, and hopefully you will have a place to call home :)

33girl is very right. There are some girls on your campus that are only down to one house right now and might only go to that one Pref night. It happened to a good friend of mine and she ended up in that sorority. Good Luck and put your best foot forward.

In the end, only one sorority counts. I just rushed last week. After visiting all 13 chapters here on campus the first round, we could go to a max of 8 the second round. I, too, felt really nervous and questioned my reasons of rushing when I only received invites to 4 houses that round.

Just stick with it, because I did and kept being invited back to ADPi, and that was the only house I wanted to be in. Things will work out if you just keep goin'!

I feel the same way!
 

Recruitment for me is this week and I feel the same way because I was released from recruitment last year. My main concern is the conversation because I feel like I'm not making myself "known" (standing out from the crowd)...? Any ideas to keep the conversation interesting/going? I have no problem talking btw.

Use the name of every rusher you talk to at least 2-3 times; people love the sound of their own name. Also, listen intently to your rusher and don't drift off, even if she's boring.

Be sure to give each and every house equal attention (I know it is hard, especially towards the end when all you want is a coffee and your bed). While your first day at house XYZ you might be paired with a novice rusher or someone you don't necessarily gel with, it could turn out to be the place you want to be...but that first impression is important and can help you on your way. Don't give them any reason to forget about you. When it comes time for the chapter to make lists, you want your rusher to say "Yes she was very attentive and polite and she asked great questions." You don't want her to say..."hmm...I can't really remember what she said" or "She didn't look at me while I was talking."

There's the chance you might get a rusher (or be double rushed with another PNM) who won't let you get a word in edgewise. In that instance, make sure you make eye contact and nod so that they see that you've not drifted off. Do try to get a word in edgewise...even something as simple as "Oh wow, that sounds really fun, can you tell me a bit more about _________" or inject something like "Yeah I worked with (PHILANTHROPY HERE) last summer as a fundraiser, it is a really great cause. Can you tell me some more about your last philanthropy project?" Open ended questions allow for a little more personality to be shown, which gives the sorority a better idea of who you are, and gives you a better idea of who they are.

Don't think about the cuts, don't think about tiers, don't think about outfits...try to be in the moment as much as you can. You are an honored guest at the house of a new acquaintance. In "normal" life, you'd never go into someones home and trash their choice of decor or the hostesses outfit or ignore the hostess. Remember that these ladies have pledged their life to their organization, and no matter how bad of a fit it would be for you, it is very near and dear to their hearts, and a modicum of respect for that goes a long way. And it may also be a favorite of the other PNMs in your group, so be mindful of how you talk about houses you may not be feeling. There's thousands of rush stories on here where girls listened to the negative tent talk of other PNMs and were swayed from a chapter that could have been brilliant for them. Not saying you have to shoot rainbows, but deflecting the question from a negative to a positive..."What do you think about XYZ?" If you had a horrible time and were just not feeling it..."Their chant was really catchy." or "Their philanthropy project is awesome" or any one of a number of other things. Or you could use the "Bean Dip" excuse...someone asks a horribly uncomfortable question to you at a party that you'd rather not answer, just got "Oh look! Bean dip!" and scurry away.

Or you could just say, "I haven't really formed an opinion yet, and I don't want to influence anyone, but all of the chapters have great members!".

Good luck, smile, be polite, put your best foot forward. This is meant to be FUN. :)

Great Answer!
 

This is a remarkably good response. Now if we could get everyone to follow these ideas in "real life" we'd all be in a much happier world. A little common courtesy goes SOOOO far.

One great thing about sorority recruitment is it's such a great lesson for life. Unfortunately for many it's a lesson learned the hard way. I think when I rushed I was too focused on the process and left most houses not even remembering the name of the girl I JUST talked to for having been so scattered. Needless to say I didn't have as smooth a rush as I could have. Thankfully I ended up in a loving house I'm proud to be a part of, all these years later.

I'm honestly not trying to be snarky or mean, but, you are a junior going through rush for the 3rd time (if you count COB rush). That might have something to do with it.

And that probably already makes her "known", so I don't think being "known" and standing out needs to be a worry. They know who you are.

completely agree
 

I'm in the same boat! I have rush next week and I am completely terrified. I'm a sophomore (transfer) and I have this sinking feeling that I will be cut. I've done everything I can think of to prepare myself, so now it really is just up to chance.

This is a really good thread about conversation:

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...t=conversation

In general, just be natural. Sometimes girls can try too hard to be "funny" or "known" or "interesting" that they end up just being awkward.

Also, the fact that you are a 2nd timer may work against you as well (depending on your school), so just be prepared for that.

One thing you need to remember is that a LOT of the recruitment stories you are seeing right now are from SEC schools, which is highly competitive for even Freshmen. Madison (from what I am to understand - didn't go there myself), while still competitive, is not as 'hard core'. Madison is not Bama or Ole Miss. Take the advice that was offered in your thread to heart - be yourself, be discrete, be open to ALL houses, and enjoy the experience.

100% true. It is MUCH more relaxed here. No one really minds if you are a sophomore, especially if you were involved freshman year. You won't have a pledge class of 105 girls (that is a little smaller than the size of the chapters here). You won't be "competing" against 1400 girls- there are only over 300 rushing.

Also, Madison always has COB opportunities second-semester if you are dropped. (My freshman year there was even a second formal recruitment fall semester with over half the chapters participating). I wouldn't recommend suiciding because you can go find a better house, but I would keep this in mind to calm your nerves.

The PHA president last year mentioned that almost all girls who keep an open mind are placed here. The majority of girls who aren't matched drop because they don't like what is left.

Thanks, that makes me feel a lot better!

A suggestion
 

I'd like to offer a suggestion ( which means you can take it or leave it) if you come from a place of scarcity as in " I won't get a bid or I'm worried I wont' get a bid" it will create a nervous and negative attitude in your mind. Which in turn can change your behavior due to being scared or nervous. Have you ever been in a situation when you had a bright outlook and great attitude and things just happen?

While you can not control what sororities do, you can control yourself. Choose the attitude you'd like to see if you were on the other side. Choose to be positive, choose, without forgetting to be YOU!

Over the years I have seen many women, men and businesses do amazing things because they changed their outlook. Again, this is just a suggestion!

Best wishes to all the collegians-- it's a wonderful time to be a Greek!!:D

so true!

diet coke,

how did everything end up for you?