Stanford Recruitment
 

This is for all those who are having recruitment story withdrawals. Stanford is having formal sorority recruitment this weekend and my sweetest little cousin is going through it. Okay. She’s taller then I am but you get the point. I am going to refrain from naming the specific chapters. The reason is because there are roughly 250 PNMs and I don’t want to do anything that may hurt her chances.

There are five NPC groups on campus. They are Chi O, Tri Delt, Theta, Kappa and Pi Phi. Other sororities are alpha Kappa Delta Phi, AKA, DST and Sigma Theta Psi. AOII had Lambda chapter there but it closed in 1944 when all sororities were removed. Sororities started coming back in the late 1970s. Unfortunately, AOII has not yet returned. www.stanford.edu/group/ISC/

Last Monday was general information night. She thought that the information was pretty much old hat because we have been talking about it for years. You know the spiel, keep an open mind, be your self, etc. She said that the Rho Chis (yes, they are still calling them that there) were very friendly but the presenters really scared off some people. They were very forceful in their addresses and didn’t make it seem like a fun thing to do. Many girls who were on the fence decided not to do it.

Anyway, all events are being held in the student union because two of the groups are unhoused.
The parties started last night so here we go.

Friday night – Open House Round - 35 minutes each and all showed chapter produced videos. The sorority women wore sorority t-shirts with blue jeans or denim skirt.

Sorority 1 – This house was her least favorite going into recruitment. However, she still kept an open mind and now she LOVES them. The conversations were easy and she felt a real connection with the girls that she met.

Sorority 2 – This was her second to least favorite going into it. The conversations felt forced and there were lots of lags. Even when rotations started, things didn’t improve. It seemed painful for all involved.

Sorority 3 – Before recruitment, this one was a so-so group for her. They really didn’t stand out. Now, she really likes them. All of the conversations went well and it seems like a fun chapter. She said that she laughed a lot here.

Sorority 4 - This was one of her favorites going into it. The first conversation was incredibly awkward. Once rotations started, things improved greatly and she really enjoyed it. Conversations covered lots of topics and she felt at ease.

Sorority 5 – This was her other pre-recruitment favorite. The conversations were OK but not like at 1 and 3. She also noticed that the members concentrated heavily on certain PNMs. She noticed that she didn’t fit that profile so she felt that she probably wouldn’t be seeing them again.

This morning she got her invitations and she could choose up to four for tonight. She received three. She is going to Sororities 1, 2, and 3. Sorority 5 wasn’t a shocker but Sorority 4 was. She has a good attitude about it though and she realized that it wasn’t necessarily her. MANY girls did not receive invitations to this group. No one received five invitations.

More tomorrow.

Yay! Not only is it a rush story, but it has Tri Delta in it!

We still called them Rho Chis here too, when I went through in the fall.

What did the sorority presenters do that scared so many girls off?

Good luck to your cousin and of course, keep us updated!

Yay rush stories! I know that at my info night all the rules were a little intimidating, and made the whole process seem a little ridiculous (you know, like, don't accidentally carry a cup out of a house, it could be considered a gift!!)

Sarah

Hurrah, a Recruitment Thread!!!!
 

Wow, good for your cousin! I hope she finds a new home. It's great to see someone keeping her mind open. Definitely weird stuff about the presenters scaring PNMs off!

Roses,
Christin

Yea recruitment stories! Tell us more :-) What did the chapters do? Can't wait to her night 2.
-M

Just love these recruitment threads!!! Keep us posted.

good luck
 

sounds like things are progressing well. tell her to hang in and allow it to happen. it loooks like she's in good shape.
:D

withdrawal relief!
 

aopirose,

Not only do I have rush story withdrawal, but I also have given up buying makeup, cologne and hair care products for Lent. So I'm sitting here reading a rush story and watching Adrien Arpel on Home Shopping. I'm a happy camper. ;)

love ya girlfriend!
"33"

She got her invitations back this morning and she could select up to three. Tonight she is going back to Sororities 1, 2, and 3.

I'll post more later. Hubby is taking me to see a play this afternoon for our birthday.

Good luck to your cousin!

Yay recruitment threads!! :D Good luck to your cousin!

Good luck to your cousin!

Why is Stanford's recruitment so late in the year? :confused:

Good luck, aopirose's cousin! Good luck, California Alpha!:)

Dang it! Something else to WORRY about!:D

Send my best thoughts to your cousin, I know she had a pro prepare her for the experience!

Stanford! In and of itself totally fantastic!

DId her opinions change at all the second night?

I can't guarantee this is correct, but I'm pretty sure Stanford is on the trimester system (also sometimes called the quarter system, with summer counting as the fourth "quarter"). . . spring trimester/quarter just started, and this is probably their version of "deferred rush" . . .

UC-Davis was also on the trimester system, and MTV taped Sigma AEPi at about this time last year -- during "spring rush."

hurray for your cousin!!! i am so glad to see a recruitment thread!! i can't wait to hear how things turn out!

I believe they're on a trisemester system as well. I checked out their website, and their calendar has it that they begin classes in early April. Makes sense to me. :D

Good luck to your cousin! I can't wait to hear what happens next!

OK, here are answers to your questions.

Orientation night – It was like sarahgrace suggested. For many of the PNMs, it was the first time hearing about the rules. Some girls who were on the fence dropped because “it all seemed extreme.” Keep in mind that because rush is late and that they are on the quarter system, these girls are already involved in many other activities. Being told that it is an infraction to leave a party with a napkin is over the top.

I also want to say that Cousin did and does have a very open mind about this. When I mentioned that certain sororities were not her favorites, it is not that she disliked them. She just preferred some to others. The chapters have very distinct personalities and she could see herself almost anywhere. She is a very easygoing person.

Friday night activities were just a video and talking.

Saturday – Skit night – 45 minutes each – Like last night, all the sororities did line entrances and exits. She said that she had trouble going to sleep last night because she couldn’t get those chants out of her head. Oh, don’t we know it! ;)

Sorority 1 – Skit was based on Heaven & Hell. Half were angels and the other half was devils. Each side tried to get the “PNM” over to their side. In the end, the two sides decided that ABC was a good mix of both. She said that it was absolutely PRECIOUS! Again, conversations were smooth and easy. She remembers speaking distinctly to at least five new/different members. She felt really comfortable here.

Sorority 3 – Skit was a TV expose’. A mole had infiltrated the sorority and was going to “tell all.” In the end, she found out that these stereotypes were unwarranted. It was really cute too. Conversations went well and she enjoyed herself.

Sorority 2 – Skit was a PNM looking to get the most out of Stanford and how XYZ can enhance the experience. When the principle said a key word, the chapter broke into song about it. It was a cute skit. What a difference a day makes! The conversations were so easy and flowed smoothly. The members were very sweet.

Tonight she is going back to all three and is thrilled. One friend has the same schedule so they are both psyched. Another friend has withdrawn because she couldn’t see herself where she was invited.

Tomorrow is preference at a hotel and she can select two. Like I said, we have been talking about this for years. The most important thing is that she at least tries so there are no regrets later. She understands that if she is cut that it is not necessarily about her. If she doesn’t get a bid, she is still involved in tons of other things. A brighter note for me is that she could AI into AOII! My alumnae chapter just adores her.

If you are reading this sweetie, I LOVE YOU!

Awww, aren't you the sweetest cousin? :) I can't wait to find out where she goes!

At my school, they didn't tell us about the recruitment rules before recruitment, for the most part -- it was up to the individual sororities to worry about the rules. The only thing I remember is my Rho Chi informing us that the rushers weren't allowed to touch us, so we shouldn't be offended if they didn't shake our hands or anything. I knew nothing about the no-taking-things rule . . . I imagine that if a girl tried to leave the house with something, it would be up to the chapter to take it from her before she left. On one hand, I like that approach because it's not so stressful for the rushees at an already stressful time in their life. On the other hand, if you tell the rushees about recruitment rules, you can probably cut down on dirty rushing . . . most PNMs at my school wouldn't even realize when they're being dirty rushed! So I'm undecided as to which way is better.

I just want to comment good luck to your cousin...I know some women in chapters at Stanford from high school, so I am really curious now where your cousin will go...So I am messaging to make sure I stay on top of this recruitment story...

Wow, soundsl ike she's really nice and open-minded about everything! What did they do for the 3rd night? How many did she go back to?

Wish her luck!
Laura


You don't become a XO, you are born one!

A couple of years ago I helped out at our UPS Chapter (Sarahgrace's school) and after a PNM left the first party with an item (infraction) my job for the rest of the parties was to stand at the end of the sidewalk and catch anything that made it out the door. It does sound over the top but unfortunately, the chapters get dinged if the PNM's leave with ANYTHING.

Good luck to your cousin and yes, do let know how it all goes.

I think the idea is to let them know that there are rules, such that if they are chased down for taking part of their phianthropy project, or what have you from the house, they know why.

How was night 3?
-M

Yeah, I actually had to grab a napkin and some candy from a rushee as she was leaving our house during rush this year.

IMHO, I think that things are going well. I am so proud of her. We certainly appreciate the support that you all have shown us.

Sunday Night – Philanthropy Night – 45 minutes each – She could accept up to three.

Sorority 3 – They made candy leis and flower leis for a children’s hospital. The party chairwoman made this announcement, “Please don’t eat the candy. We could get a fine because we aren’t supposed to feed you and you aren't supposed to leave with anything. Thank you for understanding.” Cousin said that everyone fell out laughing. Conversations were great and that she had a fantastic time.

Sorority 1 – They put together kits so that kids could make their own necklaces. There was lots of laughing and cutting up. She really enjoyed herself and her primary rusher was great.

Sorority 2 - They made picture frames. This night was a dramatic improvement over the first night. She liked the members and had a very nice time. Lots of laughs.

This morning she received preference invitations back to Sororities 2 and 3. Two is the maximum she could accept anyway. She didn’t feel bad about not receiving an invitation from Sorority 1. She just felt that this was meant to be.

Tonight is preference and the parties move to a hotel. She is very excited because two friends have the same schedule. Three friends have withdrawn due to time commitments. Her Rho Chi said that they expect quota to be between 20 and 25. Bids are being distributed between 2 PM and 5 PM. I did make her promise to call me as soon as she opened her envelope. However, I feel that I will be posting late again.

perfect....
 

sounds like she's well on her way to finding a new home...
all the best to her tonight.
:D

Can we get a general idea of who's still in the running? Not which sorority is which number, but... I'm dying from the suspense here!

Greekgrrl

Rush stories are so much fun! I can't wait to see how pref went!

Stanford is on the quarter system and it is my understanding that their "deferred" rush is in Spring Quarter. In otherwords, they cannot recruit freshmen until Spring Quarter but they can recruit all others in fall or winter.

so how did her pref night go?

Monday Night – Preference – 1 hour each – She could accept two.

Sorority 3 – The room was dim but twinkle lights were everywhere. Six tables of eight were placed around the room for four sisters and four PNMs. The centerpieces were white roses and silver framed b & w photos of the sisters were everywhere. At each PNM place setting, there was a cake with her name written on it. In addition, a satin bag that contained letters written by the sisters. Several sisters spoke and many tears. This was followed by a slide show. Cousin was very impressed with it all. She really enjoyed it.

20-min. break in Strict Silence – The PNMs couldn’t speak to each other.

Sorority 2 – As the PNMs entered, each was handed a sorority flower. They were then lead to a table arrangement similar to Sorority 3. They served petit fours. The members sang sentimental songs and then read the symphony. When the ceremony was concluded, the sisters made a wish and blew out their candles. The PNMs put their flowers in vases as they exited. Cousin really liked her rushers and loved the symphony.

At the conclusion of the party, they got on the shuttles and went back to campus. Each PNM went in alone to fill out her card in the presence of her Rho Chi. Then she went home to bed but didn’t get much sleep.

Well now, I am sorry to report that our story is now over. :(

I have been thinking a lot about Cousin since this all began. You see she is really more then just my cousin. She is my best friend and truly, like a sister. Although we are 16 years apart, we speak almost daily. On the weekends, she was always over and she never ceased to make me laugh. We held hands when our grandparents died. She sat with me in the hospital when my mother took ill. She stroked my hair when my mother passed away. Cousin stayed with me until my son was born a month later. She is absolutely wonderful. That’s why it’s been so hard to watch her grow up and leave. All I have to say now is

































Delta Delta Delta!!!!!!




Take care of my girl or else!!!!!!



Edited to fix the typos.

Congratulations to your cousin & Tri-Delta!

Congratulations to her! It sounds like Tri Delta has snagged itself quite the young lady!

Oh, hurrah for your cousin and for Delta Delta Delta!!! Thank you to you both for sharing her story!

Roses,
Christin

Congratulations...I know one of the women in that chapter...Wonderful to say the least...So I hope she has really found a home...

Congrats :)

Yay! And welcome her to the family for me! :D It sounds like our Stanford chapter has gotten quite a catch . . . and I'm sure your cousin will have the time of her life with Tri Delta!

I'm so excited that a rushee went Tri Delta on GC . . . it almost never happens!

Congratulations to your cousin on her bid to
DDD!! :)

The Tri Delts ROCK!!!

I am SO happy for your cousin...she will become part of an EXCELLENT organization at Stanford! I graduated from Stanford last year, but I am still in the area, and this really is the best time of the year to rush (fraternity rush is still going on for the next week or so). For me, I was glad that rush is in Spring Quarter (yes, it is the quarter system), because it gave me a chance to check out the respective houses throughout the year, and not just join one because of its reputation. Really, all of the sororities are very special, and Delta Delta Delta certainly has really exceptional women (and a pretty fun house as well-they throw GREAT parties). By the way, there is non-formal rush Fall and Winter Quarters, but not for freshmen (Stanford seem to feel that part of the "college experience" is living in a dorm for at least one year to bond with others, so all freshmen are required to do that-even Chelsea Clinton, Fred and Ben Savage, and Tiger Woods when they were there!) :D