UF brat, MollyUF - ANXIOUSLY awaiting your rush updates!!
 

Uf brat, MollyUF,

Hi girls! I know that I keep logging back on here to check to see how your rush experiences are going so far ... we've heard from UF girl (did I get that right) about her round 3 invites, but we don't know where you two are going to?? Are you happy :D... sad :(, nervous / worried :confused: ??? ... I am absolutely DYING to hear all about it!!!!!!!!!

I'm sure that I speak for a lot of people when I say that I can't wait to hear all about your experiences!! :o) This is my first year as an alum, and let me tell you about how much I miss it already - as I type this my chapter is gathering at the annual rush retreat & most likely having a blast. Please don't keep us in suspense any longer :rolleyes: :) :confused:

Good luck & be sure to follow your heart,

Jen
Delta Zeta '97
Alpha Gamma Delta

Jen,

I am with you girl! I am sooooo nervous waiting to see where they end up, I check here every few hours to see if they have replied! Glad I am not the only one.....ladies, we are cheering for ya!!!!

AHHHHHH
 

It's just me again (sorry to disappoint)... I just had to bump this thread up again ... oh where oh where have uf brat & mollyfu gone, oh where oh where can they be?? :confused: (sorry, it's been one of those nights!) ... ladies, we're thinking about you & hoping for the very best!!

AHHH!! I just can't wait to hear about their experiences ... has anyone else heard something, anything?? As so many other have said, this is better than any soap opera :o)


Jen ;)

The only one I have heard of is UF Girl. I don't know where the other two are....but, if Molly and UFBrat, if you are on here, and did get cut, let us know, we will still be here for you

-Jen, I hope they havent 'disappeared' because they didn't make it. Even though I am sure that isnt the case.

Come back to us ladies!!!!!!!!

UFBrat (Brianne) withdrew from Recruitment. She was cut pretty heavily after the first round and of the 5 invites she rec'd, was only interested in one. I have spoken with her and she is going to investigate COB in the Spring.

Barbara

Thank you very much for the update Barbara!

Brianne (aka UFBrat) - I am so sorry to hear that you withdrew from recruitment - it is their loss! You sound like a sweet individual and someone that would make a great addition & contribution to a chapter. No matter what, I do hope that you will keep coming back to Greekchat and become part of our community here - we'd love to have you :)

and to MollyUF (who was also posting here), I hope that your second rush experience is going well - please fill us in! I know that you were a little wary after last year, but were determined to approach things differently this time. I wish you the best luck at preferences today & do hope to hear which sisterhood you may be joining tomorrow :o)

- Jen

Always remember, things really do happen for a reason.



:D :)

Thanks Barbara,

Brianne, don't worry about it. Remember what we said, you will end up where you belong, and you may not know until COB, I do hope you will try it though, please come soon, we all miss you.

Molly, Same to you, I hope that you are having a great time, and let us know what is going on, hopefully you will be back soon with a new group of sisters to share with us.

Aw! You guys are making me feel so special! I thought I bored everyone to tears with my last post so I got lazy about writing updates. Not to mention, everything gets so hectic and busy with recruitment, I didn't feel like I even had a spare minute!!

Anyways, this is what has transpired since round II. When I got my invites back for Round III, I was tickled pink. A few houses I had thought were nice didn't invite me back, but I couldn't really see myself in them. However, my two BIG favorites invited me back and I couldn't have been happier. I wanted to refrain from using names just to save the feelings of those who are affilliated with certain sororities I like, or dislike, but I'm going to throw a few important ones out there.

Chi Omega inviting me back was huge. When I left after round two, I was on could nine. My face hurt from smiling so much and I KNEW they would ask me back. The girls remembered everything about me from Round I, I felt totally at home and, I don't know, I just knew. Chi O could be home for me. When I left after Round III from Chi Omega, I started crying. I was so overwhelmed by the thought that these incredibly awesome girls could be my SISTERS. I had had an almost transcendent experience at the house. When I watched the videos, I saw myself. I saw girls I had only met a few times, but felt like I was watching friends. My talks with the girls were great and I noticed I spoke with a lot of New Member Educators. I just knew I was so in that house. As long as I got Chi Omega back, I was gold. When I left the house, the tears flowed b/c I was so happy I had found where I wanted to spend the next three years of my college life. It was such an amazing, safe, moment.

My roommate is really superstitious and when I told her I was sure that I was going Chi O, she was displeased b/c she thought the skull and crossbones was bad luck. That night I went to bed totally content and looking forward to the next morning. I went for a run first thing when I got up, did some stadiums, and ran over to the Student Union. I sat down, recieved my slip and my eyes glazed over and my heart shattered. It wasn't on there. There were exactly three houses, only one of which I was remotely interested in. I tapped my favorite Rho Chi on the shoulder and asked her to come outside with me. I broke down, I was so crushed. For the past year, I've heard from more people, that I would be a PERECT XO. After going through, I thought everyone that had told me that, had nailed it right on the head. I couldn't imagine going anywhere else at that point. Didn't those girls realize what I could be for them? What they could be for me? That I was meant to be there?? I sobbed a lot, but there was no way my body could keep up with the thoughts racing through my head....

This is it, my last chance as a sophomore and it's over. My dream of being greek at UF is over. No tailgates at football parties. No meals at the house. I'll never live in a sorority house. No chapter meetings, no sisters, no nothing. What would my other friends rushing think? What was XO thinking??? What would my fraternity friends think? I feel like such a loser, what didn't I have? Why didn't Chi Omega realize how great I was for them??? Was there a mistake, didn't they realize??? Could they go back and fix it? This couldn't really be the end...

Finally my thoughts turned a corner, and I begand to focus much more on how much Chi Omega messed up, rather than asking what was wrong with me. Unfortunately, it's an imperfect system, and I guess I slipped through the cracks. I feel badly for XO because now they'll never know what they missed out on. My Rho Chi half convinced me to go through with prefs, and I turned in my slip. The only house I was even mildly interested in was Kappa Kappa Gamma. But they had always been nice to me, and clearly they saw something in me that they found worthwhile. I started thinking about myself in that sorority and liked what I was imagining. I felt like I could really add something to that house. I didn't just blend in my head at Kappa as I did at Chi O, but I felt like I could make more of an impact there, if that makes sense. And that was a good feeling, like I could stick out there instead of being one of a mass. Plus, the Kappa house is just beautiful, it's close to my dorm, and they are without doubt, a classy bunch of ladies.

What really sealed the deal with my good friend Dave though. I was futon shopping today and he came on the radio in the car and a certain lyric popped out at me.


And if you hold on tight
To what you think is your thing
You may find you're missing all the rest
She ran up into the light surprised
Her arms are open
Her mind's eye is...

Seeing things from a
Better side than most can dream
On a better road I feel
So you could say she's safe
Whatever tears at her
Whatever holds her down
And if nothing can be done
She'll make the best of what's around

Turns out not where but what you think
That really matters

So, after hearing that, I felt like I was closing my mind off because I was hanging too tightly on to Chi Omega. I kind of imagined Kappa as the light I ran up to surprised. I know regardless of what happens, my attitude will pull me through because I'll make the best of it.

So, tonight was pref night. (BTW - Round III I wore a killer strapless (but classy, not tacky) dress with this awesome looking vintage flower print on it in Blue and Cream. I had a little cardy tied around my shoulders and the good ol' CZ's in the ears. I wore these cute new sparkly white thong shoes with wooden soles I recently got. I looked awesome) Tonight I wore a simple black dress with some beading around the bust and hem and black shoes. I curled my hair, but nothing else too exciting. I think I looked nice.

Anyways, the houses. The first two houses were not great for me. The girls were pleasant, but hardly sisterly. Especially after the bond I felt at XO, the whole thing felt cheesy and I really wanted it to be over. But it was an experience and I'm glad I went through it.

Finally I got to Kappa. I cried about Chi O right before we went in, for about the tenth time today. After the disappointment I felt at the first two houses of my pref round, I didn't think Kappa held out much hope. The girls came out in beautiful white dresses and were carrying flowers. The girl called out our names, and even though I'm registered under my real name, they remembered I liked to be called Molly. First really good sign. I was approached by a girl that I had spoken with before and was relieved to see a familiar face. We had a really great talk, the house looked beautiful, once again, NOT CHEESEY, so things were looking up. As I got more into the flow of conversation, I opened up (hopefully not too much), about how Kappa was my favorite house I was preffing and how I felt really comfortable with the girls there, how I was touched that they saw something great in me. She was really flattered, and told me how several girls were fighting over who got to talk to me. That definitely made my day. I hope I didn't lay my enthusiasm for the house on too thick though. I tend to be really emotive and thus, when I get enthusiastic, I get a littel eager. We walked into a room that was swathed in white. There was a small ceremony and the girls sang some songs. Something I LOVED was that they were traditional Kappa songs, not some popular sappy song of the moment like at the other houses. No cheesy synth background or anything. Just pretty chants that directly pertained to their chapter. The whole thing felt really holy, and looking around I felt this sense of pride that these girls could be my sisters. As we left, I felt this momentary sense of doom, that I was not comingi back, like I had gotten my hopes up again and now they were just going to be dashed. Like there was no way I would recieve a bid to Kappa.

So anyways, fast forward to about an hour or so ago. I preffed Kappa first and they other two after that. I would have suicided, but supposedly, the computer makes you ineligable for a bid if you do that. I do know that if I recieve a bid from someone other than KKG I'll decline and just accept that that's how the cookie crumbled. I'll be disappointed, but, I think I'm ready for massive disappointed after the crushing blow I suffered today. My hopes are not high. Prefs made me really like Kappa. I can't say I loved it, b/c the only love I know from recruitment is Chi O. I'm still pretty raw on that. But everything happens for a reason, and if I get a bid to Kappa, that's where I need to be, and I'll embrace my new home. Chi Omega broke my heart today, but perhaps it was for the best. Who knows the friends I have waiting for me at Kappa, or outside the greek system if I don't get a bid. I think I've braced myself for tomorrow, but I'd better get a good nights sleep just the same.

Thank you guys for being so interested! It's definitely been an interesting, exciting, fun, and trying week. Know that whatever happens, I'm going to be great. I have the delicious ability to bounce back and see the best in everything. :)
I'll be sure to post as soon as I can about what happens.

M

Wow. Your story is so touching. I feel bad for you, but I'm also happy for you. Whatever happens, just remember (even though sometimes it is the hardest thing to do) that things that are supposed to happen will happen. I hope that everything works out for you!! But most of all I hope you are happy wherever you end up!! Good luck! :)

Oh Molly! You sound sooo sweet! I loved your story, thank you for sharing with us. I can't wait to find out how it ends.

This might sound silly, but even if KKG doesn't come through, and you do get another house, why not give it a try? You may find that the house you do get was where you were meant to be all along.

Best of luck to you! No matter what happens, you are a special person--your inner beauty shines through in your posts.

Jen

UF Brat - I am so sorry sweetie :(. PLEASE go for COB - I know you would be such an awesome addition to a sorority! Take care ok?!! We at GC want you back here ASAP ;)!

Molly - I'm so happy for you - I really, really hope that you get Kappa tomorrow!!! I'm sad though, reading about Chi-O. BUT, things do happen for a reason, and hopefully Kappa will be for you! If not - it's OK, who knows - you can go through COB and perhaps get Chi-O again! You know waht...thanks so much for posting...this really is better than any soap opera! You write so beautifully and eloquently...have you ever thought of writing for your school's newspaper? Just a thought :). I am sick right now, and feeling so lacked-of-energy, but while reading your post - I smiled... those experiences with Chi O and Kappa were so beautiful...but what I'm trying to say is, that your post was sooo wonderful and so sincere that it really makes me impatient to go into Rush (next year hopefully)! lol.

thank you again for letting us "peek" into your Rush experience!!! I REALLY am praying for you that you can go where you will be happy with your new sisters. I hope that your next post will bring some happy news! :D

I'm sorry that your rush didn't work out as you planned, but trust me when I say things happen for a reason. It's hard to believe, but it will work out perfectly. I'm sorry Chi O didn't work out for you, and of course no one knows how or why they didn't invite you back, but maybe it's written in the stars that you're meant for another sorority. Don't be blinded by the shock, or you might not see your new home...
best of luck
Heidi

Molly,

I'm so sorry that Chi-O didn't work out for you. But I really do admire your attitude. And I must agree that Dave is a very good pick me up. I was really frustrated a couple of weeks ago when I was job hunting and I used the same song you heard to give me that extra boost that I needed.

Good luck to you and thanks for sharing

Molly, if you receive a bid from someone other that Kappa, PLEASE give them a try. They saw something wonderful and precious in you, and used one of their bids to ask you to become a sister. That makes you very special in their eyes. Don't reject them right away. Meet them, get to know them, give them a chance. The members of the houses know better than you whether or not you would fit in with them. Don't make a hasty decision.

On the other hand- I hope you become a Kappa, because you have obviously gotten your heart set on them now. Good luck, and let us know as soon as you can what happens.

Thanks everyone for replying so warmly!

For all of you that think I should accept a bid wherever I am offered one, I'd like to offer an explanation why I am not going to. I understand where you are coming from, and your points are totally valid. I'm not willing to compromise myself just to be in a sorority though. Kappa would be great for me, these other two houses, I know would not.

Both of those houses are two of the weaker houses on campus. They extend a bid to whomever will join. While I'd like to think that they saw something great in me, and perhaps they did, I don't want to be a part of a chapter that will take just anyone.

Also, (and I know I'm going to be stoned for this), I wouldn't be proud wearing the letters of either of those houses. I'd also be embarrassed by what my friends thought of me joining either sorority. (There, I've said it, you can crucify me now). I've been on this campus for a whole year and I know the reputations of the different sororoities. All the people I socialize with would be shocked and appalled if I associated myself with either house. All my friends are currently shocked and appalled at what has happened to me throughout the recruitment proccess. All the people I've told, (In the greek system and outside), were floored when they found out where I've had to pref. Those houses are so not me. I wouldn't be comfortable. Why should I desecrate a chapter with my shame and embarrassment? That would be a terrible thing to do. Probably more so to the particular sorority than to myself.

So, I don't want to be Greek that badly. Being at the University of Florida has been an amazing experience thus far, and I don't anticipate that stopping just because I don't go Greek. If I get Kappa (and supposedly it's about a 1 out of 3 chance I will), I'll be thrilled to try it on and see how it fits. I think it will be great for me. But I don't NEED a sorority to make my next three years unforgettable. I have a circle of friends that expands every day, and I have the privilege of going to a University, that I believe, proivides the premiere college experience in this nation. I'm a blessed little chicky. :) Judge me if you want to, but this is how I truly feel, and I won't compromise my instincts.

Molly don't worry
 

Molly, don't feel guilty about not liking certain houses. There is ZERO point in joining a house you won't feel comfortable in. I've been in your position and I can tell you that sometimes it's better to be independent than be in certain houses, depending on what you're looking for.

UF is a very status-oriented campus - both politically and socially. If you're not in the right house you will have trouble getting involved on campus and will automatically be judged. It's a lot to deal with. And let's be honest, the social part is part of why being Greek is so fun. Sisterhood is #1 of course, but if your house is not invited to things and you have trouble filling your social calendar, it wears on you and eventually the rest of the experience can be dulled. UF is not like a lot of campuses where every house is fine or some are super elite and some are just fine. UF's sororities are all pretty "elite" with a small handful that are just viewed as "weak."

Regarding Chi O, I am truly sorry. I thought I would fit in there really well too - I knew 4 sisters really well from high school and just loved the house. It was devastating to be dropped. And I know someone here mentioned COB - but Chi O doesn't ever rush in the spring or bother with COB. Sorry to be so blunt, but I always think it's better to know than get false hopes.

BUT REGARDING KAPPA - I HOPE YOU MAKE IT! They're great. I know that sometimes they don't come across as "sparkly" during rush, but trust me, they are really sweet girls. The reason you may have been more impressed with Chi O is because almost all their girls are REALLY outgoing (almost to the point of "ok, enough caffeine for you!" haha) but Kappa's sisterhood is just as strong. They just have more laid back girls. But they are all down to earth, real people, which is important. Some of the sororities at UF have a great "reputation" and are viewed as "creme de la creme" but unfortunately have problems with sisters being bitchy and fake. That isn't the case with Kappa.

Best of luck with everything. Things will work out for you.
Go Gators!

G8Ralphaxi:D

Molly,

I totally understand how you feel...there is a difference between giving a chance to an organization you are if-y about and joining an organization you don't like just to join. If you really can't see youself as a sister and you don't think your feelings will change, don't do it. Hopefully, you'll be opening your Bid Card to Kappa, and this won't be an issue! Good Luck, stay strong, and - Kappa or no Kappa - we still want to see you around GC!
;)

Molly,

I hear ya. Although this isn't practiced as much now, back in the seventies and eighties it was standard practice to constantly tell the rushees that all girls could be happy in any of the sororities. I knew that with one sorority at our campus being new and 2 being what you'd call "very troubled", that wouldn't go over with the rushees.

Sure enough, my boss had an emergency Caesarean the day before rush and the night the girls signed bids... she called and made me tell everyone in the auditorium that they should list all their choices because "everyone could be happy anywhere". I knew better; I'd been in the room when the girls got their invitations back and having had to comfort dozens of hysterical girls, it was obvious that it wasn't true. The rushes obviously wanted to stone me as I dutifully spouted my prepared speech.

I know we all need to encourage rushees to widen their sights as much as possible and not go into rush with their sights set on 1, 2, or 3 sororities. Heaven knows I've been trying to do that on GC. But...a woman knows what her limits are, especially after a week of parties so you need to follow your heart!

I do want to caution rushees at big Southern universities, though: your formal rush as a freshman may (note the MAY) be your only chance at going Greek or at least joining a sorority that may not be your first choice but you can get along with. All of us from those type schools have seen girls who were displeased with their returns and dropped out early, hoping to get a bid in open rush or try it again next year. Ladies, your choices will almost never get wider your sophomore or junior year, since at the big, picky schools, the preference is almost always for freshmen. I know very few women who scored their "dream" sorority the next year and all of those had managed to get highly involved in competitive activities that the sororities wanted members in. Furthermore, the selective sororities rarely have openings during the year.

I'm not trying to be a party pooper but I want PNMs to look at rush realistically! And all you sorority members from Northern schools, thank your lucky stars!

Carnation: You are right on the money. I couldn't agree with you more. :)

One thing I would like to add is this. Potential new members who get their second or third choice, while disappointed, often look upon it as a chance to be a part of a group in transition, take on important leadership roles, or to help build a bigger, better chapter. YOU might be just what these groups need to turn the corner!

In addition, once out of college most people find that the greater sisterhood transcends ABC sorority's reputation at XYZ University. I know this is certainly true for two of the smaller houses on my campus: they are in rebuilding periods here at Texas Tech, but they have outstanding national reputations. College is only four years, but sisterhood is lifelong. Those women who are members of these smaller groups are members of fantastic national groups--something they can be truly proud of for the rest of their lives.

That being said, I do not believe that any woman should join a sorority she does not like, does not believe in, or does not respect. To do so would do both the potential new member and the would-be sorority a disservice.

Just my 2 cents... :)

Jen

Molly,

I completely understand and support your decision not to join one of the weaker houses you prefffed. The Greek system at my alma mater sounds a great deal like UFs even though we are in California. Being a member of a weaker house was disastrous to the social lives of the women in them at my school. They simply didn't have the opportunities stronger houses, or even non-Greeks, did. And I know this is not a popular opinion here on GC--but it is TRUE. Some schools entire social strata depends on what house you are in. And you ARE judged if you are in what is defined as the "wrong" house.

Yes, sisterhood is for a lifetime and college is just for 4 years, but, as a sophomore, you know the climate of the campus and know what is best for you. And having been on a campus with a similar climate myself, I understand your motivations and support them.

I hope Kappa comes through for you as that sounds like it could be wonderful! But know that if Kappa does not, you wil lhave a marvelous remaining 3 years with or without a sorority!

Good luck!
Amy

I hear what a lot of you are saying about joining a "weaker" house. When I went through recruitment, I preffed at three houses. My first choice was what you might call a "weaker" sorority, and it's where I am a sister. I didn't give a crap if it was weaker, or if guys looked at me differently...it was truly where I felt I belonged, and still does today.

I understand that Molly's situation and mine aren't the same...I'm was at a small state school in PA, she's at a huge school in FL. But someone posted that you may become a member of a group thought of as "weaker", and you may be a catalyst in it becoming a "strong" group. That, more than anything, is something to think about. If you truly don't like a group, I agree, don't join. It's disrespectful to the sisterhood and yourself. But think about the decision long and hard before you go burning bridges.

OK, by my estimations, the lovely ladies at UF should have opened their bid cards a few hours ago, & should by now (HOPEFULLY, HOPEFULLY) **with fingers & toes crossed** be out celebrating with their new sisters!! I keep coming back on here to check for updates (it's a good thing that I'm on the AOL plan!!)

I sincerely hope that everything has worked out for them & that MollyUF is now a proud Kappa pledge & UF girl opened her bid card & found Phi Mu there ... as always, the suspense is KILLING me - I ALMOST feel as though I am going through rush again :o)

Excuse my ramblings ... just my thoughts as I sit her & wish these ladies the best.

- Jen (the impatient) :eek:

The school I transferred from had a similar situation with one chapter that it was "not appropriate" to join. My roommate went through rush and when she only got invited to their pref, she dropped. Then they called to snap bid her and she declined. I felt really bad (I was not in rush...waited until I transferred) because I knew some girls from that particular sorority and they were very sweet and soooooo loved their chapter and wanted to be good (they have a good national), but they KNEW that they were only going to get a few girls and that those would likely drop out of embarassment. It sucks that those sort of things happen to chapters that have totally quality girls, but just low numbers and maybe a "nerdy" or other stereotype. That chapter ended up closing and the sisters were crushed...they fought so hard for what hey loved. I so respected those girls who tried with all their might!

My chapter is extremely strong and I can't even imagine what it would be like to only see a small group of unexcited girls running over to you after you have worked SOOOOOOO hard during rush.

I visited the SK website for the UF chapter and they looked cute and fun. They look totally normal! I hope that what you saw is inaccurate and that they were successful. And if any of the girls from GC ended up at one of their alternate choices for bid day, I hope they will give it a shot.

Please ladies, wherever you ended up, even if you didn't accept a bid, let us know. We are here for you. Lots of us have been Rho Chi's before, and we have dealt with lots of stuff. That's it, we are online Rho Chi's! Maybe some of us past PX should start a recruitment counseling thread and be cyber-rho-chi's?????

Wow! I had now idea that was the situation at UF. I have a much better idea of where Molly is coming from now. Thanks to all those who helped clarify the situation for me.

I am coming from a much different campus, where all the groups (minus a few small ones) are very strong. The scene is obviously vastly different from UF.

Molly: again, I wish you nothing but the best and pray Kappa will come through for you.

Jen

Oh heavens. I'd forgotten about that scene, been away too long. The "much weaker" sororities waiting for their pledges outside and you can tell they're not excited--the sorority next door to us at Auburn took 16 my senior year when quota was 40 and several flunked out. Two sororities at Arkansas and three at Miss. State, just waiting stolidly with no smiles, forcing them when their tiny pledge classes walked up.

And I say "walked up" because rarely are the pledges of the extremely weak (note I'm not saying small, medium, or younger; there's a huge difference between those groups and troubled ones) sororities running up in delirious joy. It's worst when those groups are sandwiched between huge and/or very successful groups and they have to watch everybody else celebrating.

I hate it, it's depressing. I want all the groups to be happy and successful and I want all the PNMs to be happy too. I'd like to hear how other campuses address parity and quota and so forth.

I know, we have a local on our campus which used to be the strongest house on campus but has dwindled over the last few years to only a handful of sisters. Our whole Greek Community is very supportive of them but sometimes we get sick of hearing "poor little ABC sorority." It's kind of a catch 22...you feel bad, but what can you really do? :(

Molly,
Reading your Chi O experience made me want to cry, I am so saddened by that. But I am glad that as much as you loved Chi O, you were able to open your heart to Kappa. And hopefully that will be your new home. And please, know that we all here are thinking about you, and hope that you will find Kappa on your bid card. But I am really glad that you aren't willing to "just go anywhere", that you have enough respect for the Greek system to know where you wouldnt be happy. And I admire that. Good luck, and we look forward to hearing from you tomorrow!!!!

Perhaps she is so busy with her bid day activities that she has no time for GC right now.....I sure hope so! :)

I hope so too!!!!

Good luck Molly, I relaly hope whatever happens to you will turn out to be the best!!! I'm praying that you get Kappa!!!

GOOD LUCK GIRL! And regardless of what happens, please always come back to GC! :D

Hey everyone,

Today was Bid Day. It was an interesting day, to say the least. I was running late as always, but finally I was all dressed and ready to go, and headed over to University Auditorium. The number of girls sitting in this huge, cavernous room, had noticably dwindled from last saturday. I saw my Rho Chi's right off the bat, and was ecstatic to see Nicole, who has become my rock through this whole messy thing. She had nothing but supportive words and total enthusiasm. Anyways, we sat through a small ceremony and our Rho Chi's were revealed. I was right on every single one of them! Nicole, I was actually torn between two, but she turned out to be a Theta, and that made me glad, because I have the utmost respect and affection for those girls. They're awesome.

So, thus began the march to Norman Field. I think it was described before, but I'll say it again. It's a big football/rugby field to the left of sorority row. Immediately behind it, and also to the left of SR is a huge parking garage. Several hundred fraternity men were lined up on the various levels, a lot of them taking pictures and videos. Tons of cheering and madness. The girls all got together in circles and we waited for what seemed to be an eternity. Finally, we were given our bid cards and instructed to place them on our heads so we wouldn't look through them in the sunlight. I wish I could put into words what I was feeling at that particular moment, but I think my emotions shifted too quickly for them to be pinpointed. Mostly it was anticipation. Sometimes nervous, sometimes pessemistic, other times hopeful, other times I was just apathetic. I remember I had to go to the bathroom pretty badly, and wondered what a spectacle it would be if I opened my bid card and lost control of my bladder. The whole scene was just a zoo, totally ridiculous.

Anyways, we finally were told we could open our cards. I fumbled with mine and finally got it open. It was like a movie, where you can't see or hear anything but this one thing. I pulled it partway out, put the sorority name wasn't immediately on the top of the card. I pulled a little further and saw the word Kappa. I remember swallowing hard and pulling the card out the rest of the way and reading:

Miss M.
Congratulations!
You are invited to become a new member of
Kappa Kappa Gamma
at the University of Florida

ha ha! I bet I had you guys biting your nails at the beginning. I didn't want to give myself away too soon! I thought it would make this post more fun if I kept you in suspense! :)

Anyways, KKG isn't on sorority row, so I went opposite of the herd towards the house. The other girls that had recieved bids there weren't running though, so I was kind of disappointed in them. We got to the final stretch of sidewalk though, and I saw all the balloons and girls outside, and just bolted. It was like chariots of fire or something. I was the first and only girl running and my new sisters were loving it. They were all cheering and excited. Two girls that rushed me came up with a bag of stuff and gave me huge hugs. The rest of that time is a little bit of a blur. Two other GREAT girls from my floor got bids, as well as a girl I befriended during rush. So there are already some real solid girls in my new member class.

Side note, we got our pictures taken by the photography company that chronicles functions and everything. One of the Flash Photography guys is this guy I was talking to a little bit last year. We get along amazingly, but I wasn't attracted to him so I cut things off. Only thing is, this summer he got way hot, so now I have a big crush on him. Go figure he'd be there on my bid day. :) I hope it wasn't a huge faux pas that I chatted with him a few minutes here and there.

But anyways, I got to meet and hang out with all my new sisters. The whole thing is just still so weird and foreign. I got to see the whole house and we ate dinner and did some organizational things. My big was teaching some girls to line dance and the whole thing was just really cute.

The more girls I met, the more I wondered if I made the right choice though. I suppose there are sisters that you will be soul mates with, and others that are just girls in your sorority. I think I met both tonight. I didn't feel the instantaneous bond I felt with the girls at XO, and a lot of them seemed different, and a lot more reserved than me. But I also felt a lot of warmth, like the girls were geniunely happy to know me. Plus, I felt like queen comedian. I have sucha loud mouth, and everyone was really receptive to every dorky joke I told. My big dates a guy from the fraternity next door, AGR, and she told me Kappa's and AGR's have a special bond. This was not pleasing to me because AGR's have an interesting (weird, bad, redneck) reputation. Perhaps I should give them more of a chance, but I pray that we do socializing with more than that particular fraternity. (once again, please feel free to crucify me for making stereotypes, I know I set myself up again and again).

After I left, I dropped by my friend E's house to talk to her and park my car there. She has four best friends in Tri Delta and dropped out right before prefs after being dropped by them after Round III. I feel really terrible. Her roommate and ALL her friends (including me) have joined sororities and I know she feels left out and weird. But she is totally true to herself and knows the person she is really well, so I admire her strength in this tough situation. I shared with her my fears about settling for Kappa, and the horrible thought that I might be in the wrong sororoity. She commended me for dipping my toes in the water and was really encouraging. She had some great things to say and really made me want to stay and try things out. She also reminded me it was ok to leave if I wasn't comfortable come Initiation. It was a good reality check to talk to her, and she instilled a lot of faith in my decision to accept the bid.

So here I am now. I have a KKG wood sign hanging on my wall and a silver key around my neck. I have my new KKG jersey laid out to wear tomorrow. I'm looking forward to lunch and dinner and getting to know all my new sisters even better. I guess at this point, I still feel a lot of ambivelence about the whole thing. I am sure though, that this is somewhere that I CAN TRULY STAND OUT JUST BY BEING MYSELF. That fact alone, is all the encouragement I need for right now.

Kappa Love :)
Molly

Molly: Thank you for sharing your experience with us.

Your honesty and willingness to share what is in your heart touched me (and I think the others on this board). I almost feel as though I lived it with you.

Congratulations! Kappa is a truly outstanding organization, I hope it works out for you. Keep us posted.

Greek Love,
Jen

Congratulations Molly! I can already tell that you'll be a great asset to Kappa Kappa Gamma!

Thank you so much for allowing us to be a part of your Recruitment experience. Reading experiences like yours reminds me of how great it is to be a part of the Greek family.

This is just the beginning of your Greek experience...and it only gets better after today. You're going to make so many memories with the sisters of your house...and they're going to last more than a lifetime!

AGR
 

Molly,

Don't worry about only hanging out with AGR. The "special bond" is just because you all are next door to each other. I promise you that Kappa hangs out with other fraternities! Nice ones too. Lots of them. Just wait about a week or so as your social calendar is announced and you'll see what's up. To be honest (and I'm sure you know this) Kappa doesn't carry the social weight of, say, DG, but they are strong and fraternities won't say they're "embarrassed" to do socials with you. Kappa is a strong house, regularly kicks butt in philanthropies and greek week and is very involved on campus.

Good luck and I hope everything works out for you.

G8Ralphaxi :D

Molly, I'm soooo happy for you!!!! Thank you again for sharing this with us, this was such a touching story, and your thread was one of my most favorite rush threads! I really hope that you will be very happy at Kappa Kappa Gamma :). Thank you again for your honesty in your fears about whether not KKG is right for you. It really gave me a true look at what RUsh is really like! I still have prolly a year before I rush, so your posts really were very helpful!

I'm so glad that Kappa worked out for you Molly!!! :D Take care!!

Congrats Molly, I hope that Kappa will be everything you want it to be, and remember, even though you are "sisters" you won't bond INSTANTLY with everyone, but it will be a wonderful experience for you. Good luck on a great fall semester!!!

Molly, I'm so thrilled that you're a Kappa! You've joined a powerful national group that you'll always be proud of!

Take it from all of us, there will always be sisters you click with and some to whom you'll never be connected, but that's life in a group. You'll find lifelong friends there and that's what matters.

And....I hope you become a writer!:D

Congrats Molly on getting Kappa! Trust me, you'll get to know people and you're absolutely right. There will be girls you will feel like soulmates with, and others who are just friends. You can't love everyone you know :) Best of luck, and you'll be a great asset to kkg!

Congratulations Molly!!! Kappa is a great organization!! I am so happy it worked out for you.

G8Ralphaxi--- the way you described the greek system at UF is the way it is at So Cal--EXACTLY. (Or at least when I was there 10 years ago.)

:)
Amy

Congratulations Molly!