Say Yes to the Sorority.
 

So I told you all I would provide you with L’s recruitment story. So here goes. L was headed to Oregon State until about February. In February she decided she was going to change her major. When she changed her major, Oregon State was no longer an option because they didn't have her major. After a lot of soul searching she chose……The University of Arizona! Bear Down! We now have a divided house since both my husband and I graduated from Arizona State University.

We moved my daughter into her dorm room last Sunday and they had a recruitment orientation meeting that night and a parent meeting. I was too tired to stay and I was pretty sure I knew what they were going to say. #adviserproblems

Alpha Chi Omega is recolonizing and my girls from ASU were the recruiters for the first round that was held over 2 days with lots of education and meetings in-between for the PNM’s. My daughter HATED that part. The first day she went to 6 chapters and the second day she went to six.

Recruitment started Monday and will end today with Bid Day. The first 2 days are artificially long because of all the education the girls have to go to. 6 parties and they are there well over 8 hours. It makes for a very long day for these PNM's. Friday they had the day off which was brutal.

I started to think that recruitment is a lot like finding a wedding dress. You try one on and it is lovely but it doesn't feel just right. You continue looking for that perfect one. I’m going with a Say Yes to the Dress Sorority theme.

Here are the Chapters:
Alpha Chi Omega – colony and duh, legacy chapter:p
Alpha Delta Pi
Alpha Epsilon Phi
Chi Omega
Delta Gamma
Kappa Kappa Gamma
Kappa Alpha Theta
Gamma Phi Beta
Sigma Kappa
Tri Delta
Pi Beta Phi
Alpha Phi

*means recommendations
Camille *******(wonder why there are so many recs??) Legacy chapter
Sarah***
Nicole*
Debbie*
Dorothy (I know absolutely no one from this chapter. Even my friends came up blank)
Joan***
Keasha**
Mara***
Pnina**(L’s aunt was one)
Randy**
Vera**(2 cousins are from this chapter)
Ronnie*

I am writing this from notes and post from a private forum. Excuse the jumping back and forth of the first person. It is hard to translate notes. I also kept a spread sheet of all her comments every day so I could read them back to her. I was lucky to get live updates through the day from her via text and phone calls.

Isn't Alpha Phi at U of A?

YES! That's what happens when you don't do it alphabetically and do it with an old ladies memory!

You have Chi Omega listed twice

AXOrushadvisor, totally didn't realize you are a Sun Devil like myself. LOL.

Ironically though I attended UA long enough to join ADPi then transferred.

Hope your daughter had a great recruitment!

Day 1 Round 1

Dorothy Girls were nice; we didn’t have much in common. I can’t see myself in that chapter. Oh I sat on the floor. Their house was plain but not as dark and uninviting as I thought it would be inside. All the girls I talked to were from out of state.

Keasha I liked them a lot more than I thought I would. I can actually see myself in that house. We joked around and laughed a lot and it felt really natural. The president came up to me and talked to me for a bit too.

Mara This house was alright. I didn’t like them but I didn’t not like them. I didn’t really feel like it was a natural conversation. I wasn’t wowed by them. The first girl I talked to I thought she talked too much and the second girl I felt like I was doing all the talking. I personally just thought our convos were boring like I was waiting for them to end.

Pnina I liked them. The recruitment chair came over and talked to me. We had good conversations and they didn't feel fake to me.

Ronnie They were nice but I didn’t have anything in common with them and they were all awkward. I felt bad because you could tell they were trying way too hard. All they talked about was how much they loved Ronnie and why you should join.

Vera This one was just ehh for me. I had such a hard time hearing them too. Their house seemed so much louder then everyone else’s.

Ranking for today:
1. Keasha
2. Pnina
3. Vera/Mara
4. Dorothy
5. Ronnie

Day 2 Round 1
Camille The room was cute. Letters outside were cute. Girls were cute. All the girls in line were talking *hit about this house before we went in. Saying they wouldn’t want to join because it’s not an established group and stuff. Hmmm I wonder what group this is??? She said the girls really liked my girls from ASU. My girls were glad they made the trip it was a great experience for them. I will also tell you that my daughter said The PNM’s attitude about this chapter changed after the party so if nothing else my girls were good Hostesses.

Nicole OMG I loved them so much. I had so much in common with them. Had good convos wasn’t like an interview we talked a lot without having to ask a lot of questions so it felt natural. Like no awkward moments with all the girls I talked to and I was having fun. The convos were interesting.

Debbie They actually weren't that bad. I really liked the first girl I talked to. The other two were ehh but idk if I could see myself in this house.

Joan Cute girls with a lot of personality. They were easy to talk to and we had good convos. I will also add that my daughter said these women were put together and beautiful. I think this intimidated a lot of girls.

Randy I only talked to one girl here. I think the bump group got screwed up. I think they will probably release me.

Sarah I really liked this house and had a good convo. These girls are really laid back. I like them. L’s roommate is a legacy to this Chapter.

Ranking:
Nicole
Kaesha
Pnina
Sarah
Randy
Joan
Mara
Vera

The Chapters she would not like to return to are:
1. Debbie
2. Dorothy
3. Ronnie

Loving this story. Can't wait for Round 2.

Yes...a legacy recruitment story!

Can't wait to hear how this turns out.

So exciting! Funny how I feel a special bond to the AXOs since Hypo is one now :)

My daughter is also an AXO. ( I don't know how to type an omega) so I am hoping for that one as well. Or my legacy house which is also at U of A..

I love legacy stories!

But I know that no matter where she ends up shell be a great addition to a strong chapter. Every U of A sorority member I've met has been a great representation of Greek life.

Day 3 Round 2.

L was really optimistic going into round 2. She was surprised that she was released from Nicole. She thought she had made a really good connection there. She was not surprised about Randy since she only met one member there. L fared better than most of the PNM’s. The releases were big as they were pushing the numbers to put more PNM’s in the weaker recruiting Chapter’s pool of women because of the colonizing chapter. I think the average girl had 6 chapters and L had a full schedule of 8. Her roommate was not as lucky and was cut hard. S kept only 6 and had 3 she didn’t like. S would be a perfect new member for any group but she is reserved. She is a legacy to Sarah has a great GPA and tons of activities. My heart was breaking for her.

Joan I really liked it today. I liked all the girls really bubbly. I liked the last girl. We talked about music and E News. I liked them better then yesterday.

Debbie They showed a boring slide show. The recruiter told her she cries every time she watches the video. I talked to a horizon girl they were nice I was just bored and wanted it to end.

Kaesha LOVED them. Had fun and one of the girls from the first day had her again. Today the VP came up to her so it sounds like they like her. The president came up on the first round. She said they laughed a lot and feels good there.

Pnina LOVED them. She said every girl she met she had a connection with. She said the door song was cute. L’s Aunt was a Pnina.

Mara I liked them better than yesterday. Really liked two of the girls I talked to.

Sarah This one continues to be a favorite for her. She feels like they are really down to earth girls next door type women.

Vera She doesn't know if she is so tired she can’t have a good time here or if there is just no connection. She continues to have this one late in the day. Lots of girls really like this house and she has 2 cousins that were in the Chapter at UofA. I will also note that she had to take a migraine pill prior to going into this chapter. L suffers from migraines and getting dehydrated is a trigger for her. She was trying her best to keep herself hydrated.

Dorothy She is exhausted and was glad this was her last party. It was a bust. The first girl was really quiet and L had to carry the conversation. The second girl was really awkward and kept looking around the room. The 3rd girl spent the remainder of the party talking about all the rumors about that chapter.

L ranked tonight:
Kaesha
Pnina
Sarah
Mara
Joan

She prefers not to go back to:
1. Vera
2. Debbie
3. Dorothy

more, more, more.

[QUOTE=AXOrushadvisor;2234131]Day 3 Round 2.

L fared better than most of the PNM’s. The releases were big as they were pushing the numbers to put more PNM’s in the weaker recruiting Chapter’s pool of women because of the colonizing chapter.


I feel like this needs to be clarified. Releases or cuts during early rounds were not larger to accommodate the colonizing chapter. Arizona has used this recruitment model for years and for good reason. The heavy cuts early on help some girls from being "led on" by chapters they wouldn't get a bid from. This way, girls can spend time with chapters that are really interested in them. It was the same system when ADPi colonized as well. the system has worked well. More women get bids. And almost all chapters make quota. Pledge classes are close to twice the size they were before the new recruitment model.

That being said, I don't want anyone to think that they were dropped or cut because of the colonizing chapter. We are over the moon AXO is coming back to Arizona! Yes it is a very competitive atmosphere at times but, Every chapter at UA is spectacular!

[QUOTE=zbxo;2234233]It sounds like you are describing RFM, which just about every major campus uses at this point. I gathered that AXOrushadvisor was saying that RFM has been tweaked due to the colonizing chapter. I could be misunderstanding though.

Yes thank you. It is RFM. The early round cuts were comparable to the cuts made in 2012 at the U of A.

Yes. Exactly accurate.

ETA: there was no tweaking. Panhellenic follows RFM.

Day 4 Round 3

L is really nervous and thinks she will be released from Joan and I do too. I just don’t think she looks like a Joan. L was very surprised when she got back her top 5. When the phone rang I thought I was getting the call of doom. She was so excited to be going back to:

Mara
Joan
Kaesha
Sarah
Pnina

Mara She is just so so about them. She has had that feeling all week about them. She doesn't not like them but she doesn't love them. She cannot see herself living in the house. She did say their skit was hilarious. I don't know if I told you this but L is really funny and has a quick wit. She loved the skit it is the other stuff that's not falling into place. A lot of PNM’s are buzzing about Mara and like them a lot.

Joan was L’s second party today. She had one main recruiter with 2-3 floaters, funny skit, and good conversation. Cute girls, cute house. She can see herself being a sister here. She can see herself living in the house. Liked better then Mara. Better vibe. She did feel more reserved. Felt like she had to be on her game. She says this is one of the nicest houses on campus.

Kaesha Talked to the pan delegate. Can see living in the house. Loved every single girl. She can see them as sisters. Skit was cute but more serious than the other chapters. House Mom was cute came out and talked to them. I liked them better than Joan. I felt more comfortable. I like Kaesha better then Mara.

Sarah I love them. I can see myself a Sarah. I loved all of them. They are super down to earth. I can see myself living in the house. She can bring them home to her crazy parents. Really funny skit. I like them better than Kaesha. Like them better than Joan and Mara. I loved everything about it. Today made me want to be a Sarah.

Pnina Loved. I can see myself living there. I can see myself being a sister. Could have them deal with the crazy family. She said they are down to earth and goofy. She really liked this party. She is going to rank right now.

For Pref She has ranked them
Pnina
Sarah
1. Kaesha
2. Joan
3. Mara

Friday They had the day off. Because of the long time and all the tent talk she was really starting to second guess her ranking after being so sure the night before. She now wishes she had flip flopped Joan and Kaesha. I read back to her the comments she made to me every day. I think she is thinking that Kaesha might be too reserved for her. I told her she might be a breath of fresh air for them. At the end of day she has 5 great chapters and would be happy in any of them. She has told me more than once that she can make any of them work. She is in a very good position and better position than most of the PNM’s.

Sounds like she's having a great week!

Question...when you switch between "she/her" and "I," you're still speaking in L's voice, right? I was just trying to figure out if you were picturing yourself living in the houses! (I still have occasional dreams where I'm living in the sorority house with my sisters. Then I wake up and realize I'm 30 years older and have to take care of my grown-up responsibilities. *sigh*)

I read that as "twerking" and thought "I should hope NOT!"

Now I can't get the image of "rush twerking" out of my head.

Yes, all 'L's voice. Just hard translating phone and texts.

Day 4 Preference

L was excited and nervous to pick up her Pref invites.
Sarah and Mara. Wait, what? No Pnina? She is bummed and calls on the phone crying. I tell her that it is ok to be disappointed and remind her that she has been telling me for the past couple of days that she can make any of the 5 work. They are all great strong chapters. I tell her sometimes when a door shuts another one flies right open with a much better opportunity. I tell her to wipe up her face go get in line at Sarah and have fun. She is met at the door by the best friend of one of my AXO girls. The ceremony is really intimate and personal. She loves the symbolism of the ceremony. She starts to cry at this chapter which I think is due to a combination of stress, nerves and a long week. My girl is not a big crier. The joy in her voice when she calls me after this pref party is apparent. She has fallen in love with this chapter it feels right and at home with them.

Mara is the next chapter. They pick the girls up by twos and she is super hot standing in the sun waiting for her name. The girl who picks her up at the door is a girl she met yesterday. They do their ceremony which my daughter said was nice, but didn’t pull on her heart strings. She read a letter to her and told her that she thought she would be a great fit in the house. L thought the party was nice but she left her heart at Sarah. I ask what she is going to do and she tells me she is going to rank them:

1. Sarah
2. Mara

She feels good about her decision. I tell her that there is a 50% chance that she will get Mara and she needs to be prepared for that. She says she is and that she would rather be a Mara then be nothing at all. I agree with her. She has to wait until the morning.

The next morning they met their Rho Chi's at 9:30. They do the big Rho Chi reveal. One of her Rho Chi's is a Pnina and the other is a Sarah She opens her bid and she is a new member of Sarah!

Pi Beta Phi just got themselves a great new member! She is thrilled over the moon happy about it.

Sounds like she has a good head on her shoulders.

Here are some of my observations about recruitment at the University of Arizona. It is a competitive process but if you keep an open mind and are willing to pledge any Chapter you have opportunities. The problem on this campus is that there are some girls who are not willing to pledge all 11 chapters on campus. My daughter, for the most part, kept a very open mind about the Chapters going through. There were Chapters that she liked that surprised me and Chapters that she didn’t like that surprised me. Also, she could care less about tent talk, tiers ect. She was looking for a place to call home. She was looking for a sisterhood and a support system. Several of her friends only wanted certain chapters and her roommate was all caught up in being in a ‘good’ house. Things did not work out so well for her not because she isn’t lovely, doesn’t have good grades or isn’t involved. I think she didn’t have a great start because she is reserved. She also was finding it difficult to imagine herself in any other Chapters but the 'good' ones. Even harder when her friends were being invited back to the 'good' ones. The Chapters at UofA are great and all have something to offer.

You don’t need recs to have a successful recruitment at UofA like some suggest on this site. Do I think you should have recs? Yes, I think you should try to get as many recs as you can for any recruitment. It can only help you in the end and not harm you. Many girls had no recs and were invited back every day to chapters. Many women were released after first round when they had recs including my daughter and her roommate. The GPA situation was interesting. Many girls were invited back to parties that had below a 3.0 and many were released completely after round 1. Several weren't released until after round 3.

One of things that has been mentioned on this site before and I believe is prevalent on this campus is who you know. The women who were having perfect recruitments knew people in the Chapters from High School, Sports, friends. It is all about who you know at the UofA more then almost any thing else.

The process is emotional for these young women and their mothers. Your heart breaks for these girls when they lose a favorite. Your heart breaks when you get a sobbing phone call. We all want our daughters to succeed and be happy. I found that on both days that my daughter was hurting and doubting the process that the gentle reminders about why she was there, what she had told me were very helpful in moving her through the process. When she lost a favorite before pref I told her you can be sad and grieve for 5 minutes but put you big girl panties on, wipe those tears and move on. I told her many girls would KILL for her schedule including her roommate who wanted the parties she had. I also continued to remind her to have an open mind right through preference. Was she lucky? Maybe. She worked hard on her conversation skills, did mock recruitment with my girls when she could, thought long and hard about what to wear. More importantly she stayed true to herself in the process in spite of the tent talk and opinions of others.

Congratulations from a fellow Pi Phi mom! :)

Congratulations!

Hooray!

Congrats to L!

Congratulations!

Congratulations to you and Pi Beta Phi!

Well you survived it! Congratulations to your daughter and Pi Phi!

Oh hey, a Pi Phi ending!! Awesome!!

Congratulations to you, your daughter, and Pi Beta Phi!!

Congratulations to your daughter-both for her sorority bid :) and for having the good sense to rethink that whole OSU thing.:D.

Quick hijack: Have you seen the Beaver's chainsaw video? I don't even know how to respond to it.

Congratulations!

Oh yes, sadly I have...it was quite the topic on educk. Judging by the comments on their fan forums - they're not thrilled either. Lumberjacks and rap...as sports marketing ideas go it's right up there with their new logo and, unfortunately for us, roboduck. :rolleyes:. We can only respond with pity.

Congratulations to both of you; and welcome to your daughter. Woo Hoo! A Pi Phi ending!