VeniceIsSinking's pre-recruitment through recruitment thread
 

Ok, like everyone else on this forum I am addicted to recruitment story threads. I am ready for the fall! I want more! haha :D

So as I'm going back in time reading old threads, I really didn't see any posts that span the time of when girls start preparing, to when they actually begin recruitment. I thought it would be good for those who are thinking about rushing to see what I am doing to prepare myself. I'm following some excellent advice from various posters on GC, so this thread could sort of be the place where all of that advice is condensed to one place.

Plus, I know you ravenous readers need something to feed your appetite. ;)

Here we go:

I will be going through recruitment with two big things hindering possible success. I'm aware of the odds, but I will give it a shot anyway.

I will be sure to let them know that I have a solid 3.5-4 years of undergrad left due to my degree program. OH! Very important side note: I have checked with my greek office and each sorority's respective HQ regarding one of my hinderences and there shouldn't be a problem. Also, MANY sophmores do get placed on a consistent basis during formal recruitment.

Getting Ready
I've been working hard all year long to maintain my supreme GPA. Mainly I want to keep it up for law school in the future, but hey it'll help me out with this too. I've also gotten incredibly involved on campus. I am also involved in my community.

I'm trying to get some recs gathered, but I've found this to be the hardest task of all. I've contacted NPC, HQ's, and a few others to get some leads. Most of the leads never pan out because I never hear anything back from them! I'm also trying to utilize my small network, but that isn't really working out. I will keep trying, but I am reaaaaaaaally glad that I have started this process early. Any advice regarding this matter would be highly appreciated!

The Houses
We have 4 NPC sororities on campus:
(coded by names of characters from Jem & The Holograms!)
Jem
Stormer
Kimber
Pizzazz

Assumptions
I will go in with a very open mind, but naturally I already have some established views on the houses.

Jem: Love the girls! LOVE the philanthropy! They aren't super involved on campus, which is kind of a concern to me. They also have the lowest grades on the row. I'm sort of worried that they are more into partying then sisterhood. I don't see very many Jem's hang out with each other and I sort of get the feeling that they aren't all very close. I might be wrong, but that's something I will get a better feel for during recruitment. My passion for their philanthropy, and the great friends I have made with some Jem's, make them a fave.

Stormer: Another group of girls that I get along with. I haven't met a Stomer that I didn't click with. They're all passionate about their philanthropy and establishing strong bonds of sisterhood. They also have the highest grades on the row and are incredibly active on campus. Even though they have such a huge presence, they are fairly low-profile. I don't see them getting huge heads or acting snotty about their accomplishments. These traits are incredibly appealing to me and they are definitely a group I would love to be a part of. Oh! Stormer's and Jem's were my biggest supporters during my previous election. They helped me SO much. Several Stomers told me I was bought up before a Stormer paper meeting and the girls talked about how much they wanted me to win. Very cool :cool:

Kimber: Originially I thought this group was for me. I like a few girls in it, but I've come to notice they are even more inactive then the Jem's. If I'm going to be in a sorority, I would like to actually do things. They barely promote their philanthropy events and seem sort of disorganized. I am also fairly leary about wanting to join Kimber because I absolutely dislike their philanthropy. I understand it, I can see why some would like it- but it is just not for me! However, I will keep an open mind because I know they've had some problems adjusting the newly elected officers to their respective positions. They're also the sportiest of the bunch and that makes them a bit more appealing. They tend to dominate sorority intramurals. I love playing sports and watching them, so this is a great thing to have in common.

Pizzazz: I have very mixed feelings about this house. I hope recruitment will help clear that up. I really like their philanthropy and I already have experience with it. However, there are many girls in that house I do not like. These girls have serious attitude issues and many act incredibly childish. There is one girl in particular that will drive me insane if I have to associate with her. She's gotta be one of the snottiest brats on campus. Yet, there are a few girls I truly like in Pizzazz. One of my closest friends is a Pizzazz! These girls also have a strong campus presence and have a lot of pride in their school. They're at every game cheering our team on and I love to see that.



Alright, that's all I have for ya so far. I'll be sure to update whenever I begin meeting with alums and securing recs. I know I'll have some great tales from that task! ha!

If you have questions.. well then ASK AWAY!

Yeah, I'm sure they might. I'm going to give every group a fair try, even with my presumptions. You never know when there may be a whole other group of girls within XYZ sorority you may get along with, that you have never even met before!

I don't see how marriage would be a factor if you don't mention it :)

And they shouldn't ask.

Its technically not their business.

Are you on a campus without houses? Housed chapters would probably care if you are married, because it means you will never live in.

Well I've heard that it would be an issue from many, but it might not be. I don't really know what to expect from my recruitment experience. There have never been threads on here from my school, nor do I know much from the girls that went through it.

Our sorority houses are not live in. They are mainly used for meetings, socials etc.

can i just say that i am IN LOVE with jem and your codenames are genius!! good luck with everything and if u have any questions dont hesitate to ask! remember to keep an open mind and have fun :)

I really like your code names, they take me back to elementary school days....

Question though: how do you not like a philanthropy? I don't think any of them are too politically charged or anything like that.

But good luck, I look forward to hearing your story in he fall!

Yeah, no kidding. And moreso than not liking, but to "absolutely dislike"? How do you dislike fighting breast cancer, child abuse, etc.??? Not knowing what sorority is in question, but being at least vaguely familiar with the various philanthropies of all 26 NPC groups... I can't think of any that are something that someone could "absolutely dislike"???

Puzzling.

I just want to say good luck but to also caution about candidness. There may not be many from your school who post on here but there are definitely lurkers. One that I know has a pretty good idea about who is who. It may not matter now since these are your preliminary thoughts but when recruitment gets going, you just never know. ;)

Some people are turned off by Alzheimer's Disease research because they don't like old people.

Guess those people plan on dying young... their parents and loved ones too...

Yes but even though some chapters go to nursing homes or life care centers, we're not running around touching old people all the time!

That said I could also see people being uncomfortable volunteering at the Ronald McDonald house for example. But that's not specifically the philanthropy itself. So I"m not sure what that could mean, and I guess she can't really clarify without giving away her code names...

What I really don't like about it is how the girls describe it. I'm sure I might have been exposed to an improper explanation by a certain group of girls. That explanation may differ when I encounter new girls, who may explain their involvement with their philanthropy differently. I maybe should have clarified that their involvement with it, is what turns me off. So please don't make me sound like I'm some sort of heartless freak who hates __________.

These are all just pre-rush notions, that I am positive will change once I meet more girls from each group. You can't make solidified judgements based on a small percentage. I'm looking forward to seeing them on a larger scale and truly getting a feel for what each GLO is like.

Maybe I'm a little biased, but what would be uncomfortable about volunteering at the Ronald McDonald house? My chapter just cooks dinner for the families living there and sometimes play with their children (most of the time, there aren't many younger kids around). I was only uncomfortable once because I was trying to use my limited Spanish to find out what one woman needed, but between two people who could speak a bit of Spanish and one girl who could speak Italian, we figured out how to help her, and it was a bonding experience. All of our girls love going there to help out. The people there are really nice and quite thankful.

I was wondering the same thing? Maybe just sad to see families dealing with bad stuff? :confused:

My chapter went to our RMH every year and I don't remember seeing families around at all. Maybe it was the time of day, or whatever. We mainly helped out by doing work that they needed done - painting, gardening, etc. It was lots of fun.

Just remember to keep in open mind. I've unfortunately seen negative results for girls that went in with stereotypes in mind/previous experiences & observations...it's great that you're well-informed, but there is much more to sorority life than what you see from the outside. Go by how you feel during recruitment--that's when you'll know if you've found your home. Good luck!

Not having done it myself, I was refering to it being hard for some people to see families dealing with very difficult times and very sick children. Same thing with working with an older population. I personally have a hard time in any situation where I go and end up talking to a bunch of people I don't know whether that's in a nursing home or otherwise.

I hope that makes sense. It's just something outside of some people's comfort zones. I was certainly not putting down the RMcD House, it was just the first example that came to my mind.

Our philanthropy is Special Olympics. Obviously there are some people out there who aren't good at dealing with special children (or just children in general, not only the special ones). It all depends - I'm sure we have chapters full of special ed majors who love doing things w/ the kids and are participating in hands-on things constantly and if you were not of that mindset, it might turn you off to the chapter. So, I completely understand where VIS is coming from.

:eek: :eek: :eek:

To echo what other GCers have already said, please please please be careful with what you choose to reveal online. I'll be frank and say that if people really wanted to find out which sorority is which (and with only four on your campus, it shouldn't be difficult), they could, based on what you've already said.

I know you say that you're going into rush with an open mind and that you hope that your established views will change, but it'd be a shame if you were at a disadvantage because a sorority member on your campus didn't like what you said about her house or the other houses, for that matter. Hundreds (maybe thousands) of people lurk here every day. You never know who is reading.

GC's a great resource, but as we've seen with some rush threads -- it can also bite you in the ass sometimes.

This isn't intended to freak you out, but if becoming a part of a sorority is that important to you -- I really hope you do take this into consideration.

Ah, gotcha. I know you weren't putting down the RMcD house, I was just wondering what concerns you thought there might be. Some of the people are fine talking about what is happening with their children, others just eat dinner and leave without really talking to us, which is fine. It's their choice, and it is sad to hear their stories, but they have a lot of hope attached to them as well.

Yeah. I think it would be kinda cool myself. :) It really fits in with my future career interests and even If I'm not a fan of putting myself in the situation, I really do like helping people.

I thought she meant that she didn't like the philanthropy EVENT the chapter runs, as opposed to the beneficiary of the philanthropy. Purely random examples, but I know of a chapter that did a rather raunchy bachelor auction that might make someone uncomfortable. Plenty of people would absolutely dislike a lip-synch contest. As for me, I hate golf, so if the philanthropy was a golf classic, I would not enjoy working on that, even if it were for a great cause.

If the problem is the way the sisters talk about the philanthropy, I can understand that, too. If the event involves fraternities competing athletically, maybe the sisters are always talking about getting those hot XYZ boys to take their shirts off.

I reason why I'd be uncomfortable cooking for others, is because I'm a vegetarian. Whenever others see me eating everything BUT meat, they ask a million questions and I feel uncomfortable.

As far as kids go, I don't have any, and they also make me uncomfortable!

Just my 2 cents.

OTW is right. There are people on here that will make it their business to find out what school you are at from the first post you make. Most are harmless . . but why risk it?

I would never say anything that I would have a problem saying to someone's face. Internet or not. Honesty is the best policy, imo.

If someone and her group of friends were incredibly rude to me for no reason (to the point where those with me went wha? :eek: ), I'm probably not going to think very highly of them, or the sorority they represent. Like I said though, small numbers don't represent the whole population- so I am nearly certain my views will change when I encouter the girls as a whole.I truly hope the rude chicas are just a poor representation of XYZ.



And if a lurker really takes my comments to heart and decides they want to hunt me down, then hunt down my campus' sororities to warn them that I said "aljflejrf".. well then... they just have a bit too much free time. If by some chance it comes up during rush, well then so be it. I feel I am justified in my opinions and would state that- all while not naming names of the meanies. Besides, this truly is just pre-rush notions. During rush itself, things will be quite different.

I do appreciate the warnings and whatnot though darlings. :o

btw, ivy and 33- you are correct regarding my statement about the philanthropy "situation."

Actually, the philanthropy discussion could be split into a whole new topic. I know that my doctor doesn't like the idea of me being at a Ronald McDonald's House (or touching a shopping cart without antibacterial wipes, etc), but I always support the charity. Between saving the pop tabs and donating gingerbread house kits to decorate with the kids, and such to the chapter, I feel that I do my enthusiatic share.

Well it looks like I may have finally gotten a break with my recs. I've gotten in contact with an alumna of Pizzazz! She will meet with me next week to discuss recruitment process, rush pointers, and of course the much needed rec! Also, she likes me so much already that she has offered to introduce me to her friends that are alumnae of Jem and Stormer! Talk about an incredible sigh of relief.

With this new development, I will have 2 recs for most houses by mid summer! Yipee!

Credit for this development goes to the GC'ers who took the time to create the rec thread (http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...threadid=48462), as well as from the ladies who have pm'd me with advice. All of that information proved to be absolutley crucial during my quest and truly armed me with the proper way to approach alumnae regarding recs. Thanks so much!

Oh, the irony of it all...

Just curious regarding the thread bump...is there an update to the story that I/we missed?

Isn't it just SOOOOOOO interesting?

LOL.

Oh you haven't missed anything at all, believe me. ;)

lol so it just stopped

is she rushing this fall ?? i'm a little confused. hehe

Wait...I'm a little confused too...

Didn't she rush last year? What school does she go to? I really am confused...because I read through her posts-but, I thought she went through it already...:confused:

i think what happened is that she was scared off because it was quite easy for the GCers that've been around awhile that Soliloquy and VeniceIsSinking is the same person.

but what i was wondering is Soliloquy08 the same person as Soliloquy and VeniceIsSinking??

Why are you still picking this scab?

oh no no no no

i was just wondering..

sorry!! :o