A Magical Recruitment Story
 

Hey y'all! I'm going through recruitment now at an SEC school (I know, I'm sure it's obvious which one) and I could not be more excited to find my home! Christ-centered community is so important to me, and I know I will find it within our unique Greek system. I've heard many rumors from older friends, but I'm going in open-minded and making opinions for myself. Of course I won't be posting til a day or two after each round, but I wanted to introduce you to the characters, who will be from my favorite book series, Harry Potter!

Uncle Vernon: My best friend's mom wrote my recommendation here, and I don't know anyone in this house.

Aunt Petunia: The girlfriend of one of my teachers just graduated from my school and was an Aunt Petunia, and she wrote my recommendation. I also know a couple girls in this house through freshman retreats.

Harry Potter: My grandmother was a Harry! She is excited for me, but also wants me to go wherever I feel at home. I only know one girl in this house from high school, but she did not have a great reputation at home, so I'm hesitant.

Hermione Granger: I know a couple girls in this house through camp connections, and a family friend of mine introduced me to a national officer for Hermione, who wrote my recommendation.

Ron Weasley: I don't know any girls in this house but have heard many good things, and the mother of a dear friend from church, who I am also close to, wrote my recommendation.

Neville Longbottom: I know several girls in this house through school and camp, and am very excited to visit! A friend of a friend wrote my recommendation for Neville.

Luna Lovegood: I don't know anyone personally in this house, but one of my favorite teachers wrote my recommendation.

Ginny Weasley: I don't know anyone in this house, and could not find a recommendation.

Hagrid: One of my very best friends is in this house! I can't wait to visit. A friend of my mom's from work wrote my recommendation.

Sirius Black: I don't know anyone in this house, and am slightly hesitant based on what I've heard. A friend of a friend wrote my recommendation here.

Professor McGonagall: I know a couple people in this house through camp, and a friend's mom wrote my recommendation.

Dumbledore: Many of my past camp counselors were Dumbledores, but all of them have graduated. Someone I look up to very much at church wrote my recommendation, and she was President of her chapter!

I'm so excited to finally share this "magical" experience with all of you!

Thanks for sharing. Good luck.

Howdy and best of luck to you! I'm excited to hear how it goes.

Best of luck!

I was wondering if there would be a Professor Umbridge :D

Good luck. I met lots of girls from my high school that had joined chapters on my campus before I was a freshman. I was tempted to judge the house based on how I felt about those girls in high school. I found out that this was a mistake. The girls had grown, as 18-20 year olds tend to do. Also, those individuals don't really define the house. The social groups in college are different than high school. Unless someone was personally mean to you or something, you might want to hold your judgment. At least for now.

^^^ Good advice! :)

Hahaha, that would be too "mean girls" stereotypical!

Good luck!

I love Harry Potter,best of luck!

Lurve recruitment stories. They're my version of crack. :D :D :D

You're totally right! I'm definitely trying to be very open-minded and think of the big picture.

What I really like is how you explained how you received your recs. We often explain to girls time and time again that they need to scour their network of friends, teachers, church members, etc for sorority connections. Your introduction post is a poster child for how it's done!

Probably the best introductory post I've read on GC; thank you

Our first round is focused on the benefits of being Greek overall, and is split into two days, 6 houses on each day.

Uncle Vernon: These girls were so enthusiastic, and I can tell they work really hard to prepare for rush! Their house is beautiful and they are all put together, but not overly rehearsed. I had tons in common with the girl who picked me up, moreso than just high school interests, which I didn't expect. Conversation flowed so naturally and the girl was also very passionate about her faith. Loved talking to her, but not sure if I fit with the rest of the house. Would go back.

Aunt Petunia: Things were definitely less relaxed here. The girls were very sweet and faith is also important to them, but I felt like I was being sold something rather than them getting to know me as a person. Would still go back.

Harry: I wanted to love my legacy house, but the worst happened. The girl I knew from home picked me up, even though we didn't really get along in the past (she's only one year older). We did several activities together and our personalities do not click, and we have very different values. Conversation was awkward, and even when the President and the Recruitment Chair came up to me, they were awkward as well. I just don't relate to these girls and can't see myself fitting in here.

Hermione: I was surprised to love this house! We were immediately greeted being told that "above all they had been praying for us to find our home wherever that may be" which is an attitude that I totally share. Had good conversation with the girls here, and they're very involved on campus, which is important to me. I would love to come back here.

Ron: These girls are awesome and I didn't expect to love them as much as I did! Had great conversation with 4 girls, one of which we both were tearing up about how passionate we were about the same things! I would love to come back and felt so welcome here, but since I don't have connections, I won't be surprised if I get cut.

Neville: Oh my goodness, I loved this house! It feels so much like a home already. I can't explain the bond I immediately had with one girl over the importance of faith and community, and they have such a unique group in their house. I was called by name as I left the house, and was so filled with joy here. I would be so sad if I didn't come back.

Excited for the next part of round 1!

Oh! I'm loving your thread! It is exciting to see a woman of faith taking on this experience.

Looking forward to hearing more of your recruitment journey!

Me too!

Round 1, part 2:

Luna: The girl who picked me up here was sweet, but conversation was definitely a little forced, even when other sisters came over. Overall it was a very average party. They are nice but not sure if I can see myself fitting in here.

Ginny: The girls are sweet, but it was the only house that faith did not come up. A girl I knew from work a couple years ago came up to me, but acted like she didn't remember me. Maybe she really didn't, but that would surprise me. That made the whole thing sort of awkward, and again, not sure if I see myself fitting here, but I would go back.

Hagrid: Oh my goodness!! My best friend picked me up at the door and I was not expecting that at all! I was so excited to see her and to meet some of her sisters. It was so nice to relax and not have to worry about impressing anyone, and to be able to really be myself. I had so much fun here.

Sirius: I am feeling very torn about this house. The reputation I heard did not match the girls I talked to at all, who I had tons in common with. I'll just have to weigh my experience with the advice given to me by close friends, and above all trust the Lord to guide me home.

Professor McGonagall: The girls here were sweet, but I was not overwhelmed the way I had been at Hagrid or at Neville. Also, the girl rushing me compared our conversation to hers with her big during recruitment, which majorly caught me off guard because I wasn't feeling quite as strongly. But, I would like to go back and get to know them better.

Dumbledore: I was surprised by how much fun I had here! Had such easy, natural conversation with the girl who rushed me. I would love to come back, but since I have no connections and they are legacy-heavy, I will understand if I am cut.

Y'all, I am having so much fun with recruitment!! Friends who went through at other SEC schools prepared me to be stressed, but I am having such a blast getting to meet all these new girls, who are all so friendly. I can't wait for the next round.

Oh yeah, I ranked:
1. Hagrid
1. Neville
1. Ron
1. Hermione
1. Uncle Vernon
1. Dumbledore
1. Professor McGonagall
1. Aunt Petunia
1. Sirius

1. Luna
2. Ginny
3. Harry

I'm routing for Hermione since she is my favorite character. Love your story!

Hope you are having fun!

Do people actually talk about Jesus that much at recruitment parties? Or is this like a Bob Jones University type place where God talk is expected/encouraged? Just seems very strange to me that the conversations in first round are all so religiously focused, and I went to school in the very buckle of the Bible Belt.

If she had a lot of church-centered activities on her resume, she was probably paired with like-minded girls in the chapters.

It was actually something I brought up myself, but my university is pretty conservative with many people (especially sorority women) of faith. Christ-centered community is what I really want out of my sisterhood, so I wanted to make sure they knew that right off the bat! Almost every girl I spoke with responded really positively.

Okay ladies, who's ready for Round 2? My rho gammas warned us not to be disappointed because many girls would not have full schedules, but I was so excited to see 9 houses (the maximum) on my list! They were:

Hagrid
Hermione
Neville
Ron
Aunt Petunia
Ginny
Harry
Uncle Vernon
Professor McGonagall

I was scheduled to go to 6 the first day, and 3 the next.

So, I had been cut by Dumbledore and Sirius kind of like I expected, and it looks like the feelings between me and Luna were mutual, because Ginny and Harry were back on my list. But, I went in with a positive attitude to love the houses that were on my schedule, including my 4 favorites!

Hagrid: I had a blast at this house! It's full of genuine and kind girls who have huge hearts for their philanthropy, which really hit home for me and I even teared up a little. I can really see myself being able to get involved here. I always feel so welcome and loved in this house. Couldn't help but notice one of my favorite verses on the wall, which according to the girl who rushed me, is very important to their sisterhood!

Hermione: The girls were nice, but seemed somewhat disinterested in me at first. Their philanthropy is awesome, but I don't really personally connect to it. I can see how strong their sisterhood is but I'm not sure if I feel as attached here.

Neville: We actually had to sit in this house for some extra time today because of rain, which was neat because we got to see even more of the heart of these girls, and they are so service-hearted! I really don't have words for the connection I felt here. I feel really passionate about their philanthropy and I had a total emotional moment with 2 girls rushing me about the christian camp I work for! Really love these girls.

Ron: I was really surprised to be invited back here, due to my lack of connections. Their song skit to introduce their philanthropy was really cute and fun. The girls are sweet and we had lots in common, but they're not as bubbly or enthusiastic as other houses, so I can't tell if they're interested in me. Would like to go back to get to know them better.

Aunt Petunia: Everything just feels really rehearsed here. It's not a bad thing, it just doesn't feel as genuine to me. It took a while to warm up to them, but their philanthropy is nice and the girl I spoke with was cool. I would go back and get to know them better but I don't think I connect with the whole house.

Ginny: Again, just didn't really click here. They somewhat shied away from mention of faith, which is fine, just not for me. I felt like I was being sold on something here, and was put on the spot a couple times as if I was being interviewed, not like a conversation. The girls are nice but just not for me.

I feel like I've already found 2 houses that could be home, and realized where I'm not comfortable, and maybe it's too early for that, but I'm really loving recruitment so far!

So exciting! I can't wait to hear more!

I'm really glad you clarified this. If I had met women at a house that told me out of the blue that they were praying for me to find the right home, I'd be very turned off by that house and to a degree, sorority life in general!

Me too, but does go to show that you should consider the rules guidelines. The example I always go back to is the conversation I had about funerals. With a girl who was a mortuary science major. So, you know, not at all weird, morbid, depressing to her. It was just major talk.

The problem with it, however, is that except in the smallest of chapters there is a wide range of girls and the conversation that drops like a stone with one girl could be the dream conversation with another. Presumably she treaded gently into those conversations and responded accordingly. Gotta know your audience.

We were always advised to avoid conversations centered around the "Three B's"...Boys, Booze and Bible!

Enjoying this story very much! I think this pnm will find her home!

Thanks for y'all's confidence! As 33girl suggested, I probably was intentionally paired with religious girls. And like DubaiSis said, I definitely brought it up casually and dropped it if they weren't interested. But I must say, God has totally had His hand on this process! I've genuinely enjoyed my time in almost every house, even if some feel more like home than others, and I've had awesome conversations everywhere! Bid day is tomorrow (I'm posting 2 days delayed) and I am so excited to see where I end up!

Also, at least at my school, the actives aren't supposed to bring it up, but if PNM's do then they are welcome to talk about it.

Wouldn't it make more sense to join a Christian sorority if you're looking for a Christ-centered sisterhood like Sigma Phi Lambda or Alpha Delta Chi?

I'm a member of a sorority openly founded on Christian principles and I wouldn't call the sisterhood Christ-centered. It depends chapter by chapter I'm sure but overall I don't see it as Christ-centered because then we couldn't pledge and fully accept women of all backgrounds like we do.

Not asking in a snarky tone.

Please don't recommend starting a sorority. Ever.

I didn't mean it like that. But I do know that Sigma Phi Lambda has been expanding in the last few years. And they're already established at TAMU... ;)

My suggestion is more that if someone wants a Christ-centered sisterhood specifically then is there a reason it wouldn't be better to join an organization that was established with that in mind?

I think pledging and accepting women of all backgrounds is one of the most Christian things that you could do.

Good luck! I have my fingers crossed that you find a good home! You seem really sweet and you have a good head on your shoulders. Any organization would be honored to have you.

I actually cheered out loud when I read this! Thank you for saying it, KDCat.


I think when howdy96 said that she was looking for a Christ-centered community, she didn't mean that the entire sorority had to be completely focused on Jesus 24/7. I imagine she meant that she wanted a place where she could easily find a core group of friends who would share her faith and help her to grow in her Christian walk, a place where she could be 100% herself around the subject of faith and feel welcomed rather than ostracized. Certainly she knows that there are going to be women of different views in the chapters. I've been in jobs where it was frowned upon to speak openly about religion, and I've been in other jobs (still totally secular) where I've met wonderful men and women of faith who have had a positive impact on my own journey. I think I found a "Christ-centered community" there.

This exactly.

Have an amazing Bid Day!

I'm not disputing this but when I think Christ-centered I think that it means each sister should accept Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and do all things through Him. This is what Christ-centered anything means in the community I grew up in and that isn't what NPC is about in my experience. Different definitions? I don't know what the poster's definition is.

I have best friends who found religious fulfillment and what they wanted in a Christ-centered sisterhood (as I described) through joining Christian sororities and that's the reason I asked and mentioned it.

It's definitely a legitimate question, robinseggblue! And I think it will be different for each person.

(I actually attempted to colonize a chapter of the Christian sorority Phi Beta Chi back in the day. It didn't work out, but I learned a lot!)

I've worked with several chapters as an alum and they were all different from each other. One of them had a substantial group of sisters who were very active in Christian groups on campus and had leadership roles in several of them. They were fantastic members of their chapter. They were definitely 100% themselves around issues of faith and they were much loved by their chapters, including their more secular sisters. They taught some positive things to their secular sisters and they learned some positive things from their secular sisters. It was an extremely enriching environment on both sides of the faith fence.

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