A very dressy FLORIDA STATE recruitment!
 

Hey everyone,

So Im putting up my recruitment story. Im a sophomore and I got at least 2 recs for all the sororities. Thats all im saying, I'll go into detail after bid day.

So I just got back from my first day!!!! I love my Rho Gam and my group, I can tell recruitment will be easier because of our solid group. We went to 5 houses today after orientation and it was so much fun! Thank god it didnt rain, and it wasnt that hot out so I was fine and my hair stayed straight!

I will list the houses by types of dresses because I am obsessed with them!

Minidress
One-Shoulder
Floor Length
Ball Gown
Bandage dress
Drop Waist
Shirtdress
Backless
Strapless
Spaghetti Strap
Shift
T-Shirt Dress
Empire Waist
Baby Doll
A-Line

First house I went to was Shift. It was a good convo and flowed very well, there video was super cute! I didn't really feel a connection here because I didn't get too talk to the girls for very long :(

Second house was Backless. I LOVED this house! The convo went perfect, no awkward pauses, my girl was great and I felt very comfortable here. The video was so great! I laughed and had fun, I didn't want to leave.

Third house was Empire Waist. This house was drop dead gorgeous, and the girls inside were! My girl was really sweet and we talked about fun stuff, nothing to deep into sisterhood though. I can tell she loves her sorority and their video was pretty good. I'm not sure about this one though if I connected or not

Fourth house was Minidress. This house I've had my eye on but was a little disappointed in the conversation. The conversation seemed really forced but I could tell the girl was nervous so I tried to make her comfortable, the video was so fun! I want to give this one another chance though because I really like how they seem to have a strong sisterhood and love their values.

Last house (Fifth) was A-Line. This house I LOVED LOVED LOVED! The two girls who rushed me were so much fun, really nice, and I knew absolutely loved their sorority and everything about it. The conversation was fun, I didn't want it to end. I can definitely see myself there, and the video was so cute.

Anyways I'm off to go scrub the rest of my makeup off. I start at 11am tomorrow, and I am SO excited! :D

yay!! just a thought, at minidress, your hostess may have been rushing as a sorority member for the first time, and that was why she was nervous. if you encounter any more nervous(possibly) first time rushers, do your best to try and make them feel at ease. it may just work in your favor!

good luck today.

^Seconded, I was SO nervous to go through recruitment on the other side (possibly more nervous than when I was a PNM!)

I was definitely more nervous as an active my first time around than I was as a PNM. I think I've posted about that before. :) It was not pretty and I'm surprised anyone joined Alpha Gam at all that year.

I love the positive attidude you have, and the fact that you realize the girls rushing you can be just as nervous as the rushees. Keep having fun!

I have a special pnm going thru rush at FSU as well

Hey everyone,

I've been sooo tired and busy these past few days so I finally have the time to post!
The second day we went to 11 houses, it was so much fun and super exhausting.

I first went to One Shoulder. This one I was really excited for, I had 4 recs for this house. When I went though I was a little put off. The first girl I talked to was great, but the second wouldnt look me in the face, kept looking around behind me. It seemed like she didnt care about our conversation...I loved the video though!

Next was Floor Length. I did not like this house!! The girls were really socially awkward and quite off-putting because they kept staring. They also had the generic questions like "what are your hobbies" and I felt like I was rushing them instead of the other way around. I really tried to get both my girls to talk but they kept giving me one word answers and staring.

Next was Ballgown. I have a friend in this house and she's told me so many good things so I was so excited too see it. But one of my girls was so rude and cold! The other was great though. I decided I wanted to give them another chance.

Next was Bandage Dress. I am IN LOVE WITH THIS HOUSE! I almost cried during the video and I just felt instantly at home here, I can't explain it but I didn't want to leave!

Next was Drop Waist. I also have a friend in this house so I was looking forward to it. I had a great time with my girl! We laughed a lot but it didn't really feel all natural, I just didn't feel a connection.

Next was Shirtdress. I was switched out 3 times here but it all felt very natural. I had a great time here and I love the video! The conversations were so much fun.

Next was Strapless. I was rushed by a friend from high school! It was so much fun to catch up and see here, and not have to go through the standard introductory questions. I knew though, looking around, that this was not the house for me.

Next was Spaghetti Strap. I LOVED this house. I talked to two girls at the same time for most of it and had a great conversation. Cute video, I really wanted to get to know this house more.

Next was T-Shirt Dress. I had a good time at this one, the conversation I had was nice, flowed easily. I loved their video, but nothing really stood out at this house.

Last was Babydoll. I also LOVED this house and has such a fun time with my girl. The video was good fun, but I know this one is hard to get into so I wasn't counting on an invite back. I has a great time though!

So as we waited to rank our selections I was sitting and thinking. We only rank the bottom 4 in order so I put

1. Shift
2. Drop Waist
3. Ballgown
4. Floor length

So when I'm done with this next round tomorrow, I will post up how it went.
Time to go to bed! :)

Oh I almost forgot! The 11th house was Alpha Phi that is colonizing this year. It definitely seems like a good idea if things don't work out for me this week.

I'm excited to hear more!

hope you have fun today!

So I just got back from ranking the end of this round. Update!

So I got a phone call the morning after the 11 houses visit and my heart stopped, I thought I was being released!! Luckily it was my rho gam calling to tell me that I had 4 parties to go too over the next 2 days and that my first one wasn't until 2:20.

I'm not going to lie, I WAS expecting to get cut because I am a sophomore and I don't have like a 4.0 but I was really disappointed I only got 4, I didn't understand why it went so well. I pouted for a few hours but then remembered, wait! 2 of those 4 were in my top 3! So I got ready for my first party and was off.

I got invited back to
Floor Length
Bandage dress
A-Line
Ballgown

So many sophs and juniors got cut this round, it was horrible to see! I'm not looking forward to seeing even more girls crying tomorrow when the heaviest cuts come.

Anyways, yesterday I went to two houses and today I went to two houses.
During this round there was so much tent-talk, and trashing of sororities. It was ridiculous!! Like your standing outside of the house, complaining (in a less colorful way than they were) that the house sucks and its a bottom house and you hate it and on and on and on!! I couldn't believe it! I decided that even if I did not like a house, I would still be polite and engaged because those girls chose their sorority and love it, and its really cruel to be so rude about everything to their faces.

First was Floor Length. I still am not a fan of this house. Their nice girls, but I REALLY do not see myself fitting in there. I do like their philanthropy and their house us really pretty, but its not for me. The girl took me and another PNM on the house tour and the PNM was SO RUDE! It motivated me more to be pleasant.

Next was my favorite Bandage Dress. I almost cried again at this house and I talked to three different girls here. The houses is gorgeous, I love their philanthropy, and I had chills, I did not want to leave. I LOVE THIS HOUSE!

The next day was A-Line. I really liked this house today even though I spilled water all over my legs and dress while talking to the girl! Their philanthropy and house are great, and I loved the girls I was talking too. Definitely in my top favs category.

Last was Ballgown. I was hoping that this house would go better today and YES IT DID. I loved this house! Their philanthropy is close to my heart and so creative, the house is so pretty and I loved the girls I talked to.

So when I went to computers I put down all 4, since the max is 7. I'm crossing my fingers I get some invites back!

P.S.
I am LOVING recruitment! :)

fingers crossed for you!

Thanks for the update...looking forward to hear more. I know where I want you to end up...but not saying.

Good Luck
Purc

Well everyone, recruitment is over for me. I got a phone call this morning saying I had only been asked back to Floor Length and I know in my heart I cannot be a part of that sorority.

I am understandably heartbroken but I registered for COR and there's always spring rush, not too mention a new Alpha Phi chapter colonizing this September. I am going to get involved in other activities in the mean time.

There was a record number of girls going through this year so many cuts, releases, and withdrawals have been made so I don't feel as bad knowing that it isn't necessarily personal, but it was my grades.

The one thing I am baffled by are the other three sororities I got asked back to cut me even though I had multiple recs and made their gpa requirement no problem. I guess I'll never know.

I am going to go cry for the rest of the day and maybe everything will be better soon. Bid Day is Sunday and I know its going too be really hard to see all the girls screaming and running in their shirts. Hopefully the hole in my heart will go away soon :( :'(

If you know in your heart that you absolutely did the right thing by leaving recruitment you will soon be fine. It is a rough time for many young ladies right now.

I know a pnm at FSU right now that is struggling with her recruitment and she has so much going for her. It is very tough on so many levels.

I wish you the very best and I hope this weekend won't be very hurtful for you. You are at such a great university and so much awaits you. Make the most of it as it will fly by quickly!

I am sorry to hear that things did not work out for you. You have a great attitude and your attitude will only attract positive things! Good Luck, FSU is a beautiful campus. We dropped our daughter off on Mon. My husband and I were envious of her college days to come at FSU.

I am so sorry to hear your news. I know it must be so hard, and I only wish that Floor Length held even a little interest for you.
Keep positive and hopefully if you kill it on grades this semester you can spring rush with success.

I would definitely encourage you to keep up with Alpha Phi's colonization. As a new colony coming to FSU they will certainly be looking for a bounty of upperclassmen to help lead the new chapter. From the sound of this thread it seems like you have great spirit and passion for sorority life and if you go through the process I'm sure Alpha Phi's nationals will see that when they interview you, if you so choose to go through with trying to be a founding member. In addition to your enthusiasm, keep those grades up and get involved in other campus activies to boost your resume for next time. You'll only be more prepared!

I'm really sorry things didn't work out this recruitment but keep your chin up and look forward to the future. FSU is a great school! My sister and brother-in-law are both starting their MBA programs their this fall, so I sort of feel a new attachment for rooting for this school! ;)

Im so sorry :( Try not to stress about the "why's" and "how's" right now. Definitely check out Alpha Phi..being a colony member is so special! Lots of luck to you during the next few weeks..update us on how you're doing as well!!

I'm so sorry it didn't work out the way you had envisioned...but like others have said (and like you have said), DEFINITELY check out the colonization. I joined DG though colonization as a Junior and it was an AMAZING experience. Whenever I have the opportunity to go back to visit, everyone always oohs and ahhs and makes a big deal that a "FOUNDING SISTER" is visiting. And with things like Face Book, it's been neat to watch my DG family grow (and for them it's neat to be able to trace their G-G-G-G-G-G-G Big back to the founding of the chapter).

I love your post!^^

ditto on exploring alpha phi's colonization. i was the founding general advisor for a nearby colony and even for an alumna it was an amazing experience! please give alpha phi a chance-you'll never regret it!!

Hey! I'm just letting you know you're not alone... I was released from recruitment today. I wish I had a house left... but I guess it's not meant to be! Rush was so competitive this year and I know plenty of other great girls that were released or dropped on their own.

Good Luck!

I'm sorry it didn't work out for you girls:( I think during formal recruitment it is hard for some women to shine. My advice to you would be to get involved on campus. Join some organizations and try to do some leadership positions. Also, if A Phi is coming to colonize that would be a great opportunity to check out. Good luck to both Pink Palm Tree and PNM.

Alpha Phi
 

I want to give a ditto on checking out Alpha Phi. We have a great sisterhood and rich heritage!:)

I have to chime in here...I have known several young ladies (pnms) up at FSU with super grades and packed with a resume that would kill. They were all released. Yes, two were sophomores, but they had large leadership positions on campus and strong grades. They were also very pretty girls. I just don't buy the get the "resume" packed anymore. Things need to change when it comes to recruitment. I am crossing my fingers Alpha Phi will help and pick up some girls...amazing ones at that, but year after year this will still happen. Something needs to really be done.

Hey PinkPalmTree and PNM FSU,
Just wanted to let you know that my niece went through formal recruitment at UA and it turned out sort of the way that yours did at FSU. She decided to do the colonization of Alpha Phi there and absolutely loved it! The process is NOTHING like the formal recruitment. It sounds like each of you would be an asset to Alpha Phi!! My daughter is at FSU and plans on being interviewed by them too! Maybe you all will be sisters!!

I've never understood the whole upperclassmen issue. There were several in my pledge class back in the day and it just doesn't make sense not to take an outstanding girl just because she's not a freshman. So many quality girls don't find a place. What a minus that is to the entire system.

I would have said it's because it's a numbers game. If you pledge more than just freshmen you have too many girls graduating at the same time and it will eventually throw you off. But with the houses so far over total, I think you're right. They could take 5 stellar upperclassmen and what would be the penalty? Not much!

Sorry to hear that it did't work out :( I know it feels awful right now, but hang in there. I agree wholeheartedly that you should look into Alpha Phi, colonizing could be an incredibly rewarding experience. I believe everything happens for a reason, and while it may not be clear now, maybe you were just meant to take a different path. Hang in there and keep your chin up! :)

Thank you for all the kind words everyone!

I have just come back from checking out a few clubs on campus and Alpha Phi! I am really excited to find out more about the colonizing process, I think this may be what I was meant to do.

Also, I have a friend who was offered a snap bid but turned it down, she's freaking out because she wants to try Alpha Phi with me but doesn't know if the bid is binding like a regular one. Any input on this would be great thanks!

If she did not write this sorority down on her bid card at the end of rush, the bid is not binding. If she did, it is.

Ok she withdrew during the philanthropy round so that's good to hear! Thanks, I'll pass along the message :)

good luck pnm at fsu, to you and your friend as your explore opportunities with alpha phi!
please let us know how you are doing.

Please don't forget about us on GC! We are dying to know what happens with Alpha Phi!

So I'm definitely still going for Alpha Phi, but I had a couple questions about COB..if anyone could answer them it would be much appreciated.

So at FSU, if a sorority has to go through COB then they look at the withdraw list for people they want to invite back. I know that most of these bidding events are not made public and its mostly those who are friends with people in the sorority that are invited and made aware that COB is going on.

I still want to keep that option open in case Alpha Phi does not work out, so what should I do? Should I email the recruitment chair or president to let them know I'm interested, or just try and get to know girls in the sorority? That second one is kinda hard because they all disappear from the dorm to go hang out with their sisters at all hours (it makes sense, why make friends when you instantly have 150+) and all the friends I had previous to this are gone too for the same reason...

Any thoughts on what I should do? :(

There are a couple of things you can do if you haven't already. Let Greek Life know that you are interested in COB. I don't see anything wrong with e-mailing the recruitment chair and letting her know you would be interested in getting to know them better. Continue to keep your options open with Alpha Phi too. Good luck to you.

When I did open recruitment I contacted the recruitment chair, who passed on the information. Facebook is GREAT for that ;) You should also register your interest with your Greek Life office.

At FSU the COB events usually take place in the Spring. I believe every house is now at total and I think everyone made quota, so noone will have slots available for COB right now. I'd call the Greek Life Office and ask them about COB registration.

I'd say your best opportunity, however, is to investigate Alpha Phi. I'd take some time to tweak/primp your resume, visit with their campus representatives and attend their open events.

I thought you said "pimp your resume." LOL