UNC - Chapel Hill Recruitment Story! :-)
 

Hi everyone!

Over the past month or so, I have become absolutely addicted to Greek Chat and I truly appreciate all of the helpful advice and stories that you have shared. :) So, to return the favor, I thought I'd share my experience as I prepare to go through rush this week.

Since, I have already given away my school on the "Who is rushing in Fall 2008/Spring 2009?" thread, I figured that it would be best to hold off on the details until after rush is over to avoid shooting myself in the foot, so to speak, or saying anything that could possibly hurt any chances that I may have.

I have taken to heart all of the advice that I have read in the stickied threads about PNMs, and am going into this experience with an open mind. I am a sophomore transfer and I know absolutely nothing regarding stereotypes or reputations about the chapters on campus (which I think is beneficial to keeping my options open). The school I went to last year was extremely tiny and did not offer Greek Life, so this is very much a new experience for me.

Last night was our Recruitment Kick-Off and I had a blast :D I enjoyed hearing a little bit about each sorority and their corresponding philanthropies. I was surprised to hear so much "tent talk" this early on in the game. So many girls seemed so sure about where they wanted to go (or didn't want to go) and immediately dismissed certain chapters based on hearsay. As I said earlier, I really want to go into this with an open mind. Every sorority has attributes that make them special, so I don't want to dismiss anyone without seeing for myself first.

Tonight, we meet with our recruitment groups to discuss further details that were not mentioned at the kick-off. I'm so nervous and excited for the process to begin! I promise to provide updates and will post later with those dreaded code names! ;)

Finally, I will share the complete story after bid day! Thanks for reading! :)

Good luck ... it sounds like you have exactly the right attitute ...!!

Yay! A recruitment story by a well informed PNM! I love it! Good luck!

Ooooooo, and I am such a fan of UNC and the town of Chapel Hill! (Wish I was on Franklin Street right now.)

Can't wait.

Good to see a local story...not as close as NCSU is (my alma mater)... but still close to me! Good luck with recruitment!

Ohh, good luck!! I worked at UNC for 3 years, and one of the girls in our alum group is Asst Dean of Greek Life there-love love her!!

You will have a blast!!

Yea for a local story!!!! Best of luck!!!

I just got back from my recruitment group meeting. Most of the information and advice that was given tonight was similar to many things I have read on Greek Chat so I have all of you to thank for preparing me so early on! :) We have to make our own nametags, so I will be spending a good amount of time making sure mine stands out from the crowd. It's raining like crazy outside... lots of thunder and lightning as well. I'm so glad I made it back to my dorm in one piece! The first round begins on Friday afternoon, so wish me luck!!! The story will continue after Bid Day on September 4th (assuming I make it that far!! eeek!)

Hope you enjoy everything all around. Be yourself, ask good questions, but most of all - have fun!!!

Thanks for sharing your story.

Good Luck and can't wait to hear your story after you are done with recruitment! :)

Hooray for an ACC story!

Yay!!! I'm an NC native :)

Excited to hear a Carolina story! Good luck from a Charlotte transplant!

YAY! I just graduated from UNC and I will be volunteering for my chapter on Sunday and possibly Monday since I'll be home for the weekend! :) Good luck!!

Good luck! I'm glad you're well informed and I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time with recruitment, no matter the outcome!

We were in North Carolina twice for a sporting event. My husband and I drove around UNC. It is so beautiful. (I loved the old pharmacy on..I guess Franklin?). I was amazed at the size on one particular sorority. (not the girls the size of their house). We only saw one sorority house...but if they are all that big...all I can say is wow.

Yesterday was my first round of recruitment and I had an awesome time. Since I said earlier that I would hold off until the end to tell the entire story, I won't give any details away. :p But I will say that I had a very difficult time choosing who to rank as my bottom three. I do have two favorites so far and two that come in at a close 3rd and 4th, so we'll see how things pan out! Conversation flowed better than I thought it would with the exception of one awkward silence (in hindsight, I should have thought of a question to ask her in order to make it more comfortable.) I spoke with a few girls who pledged as sophomores which made me feel a little less nervous about what I had heard about the difficulties that sophomores face. Tomorrow is Skit Day and I'm very excited to see what the different houses have spent so long preparing for us. :)

I am writing my story in a Word document so that I can remember as many details as possible, and then I will post the different parts after September 4th! I hope you're as excited as I am for the outcome!!!

I <3 Recruitment Threads. Good luck!

Well, I just got back from the second round... all of my top 4 dropped me (as well as two others that I had liked), and I was left with my bottom 3 and one that I had ranked very low on my list yesterday (most people got these four today). I was very disappointed but tried to go in with an open mind to see if things improved without any success :-(

Maybe it's because I'm a sophomore transfer and don't have an established GPA at this school (although my GPA at my previous school was very high). I had recs to 5 houses, but only one of these asked me back. After the first round, I had my heart set on one in particular and I thought I hit it off really well with everyone I talked to (she asked me for my last name before I left and said that she hoped to see me at the next round).

My Rho Chi was very nice and encouraged me to continue on to the next day. We had to list our top 5, so I wrote down all 4 that I had (even though I really couldn't see myself anywhere). Hopefully things will get better. If not, I think I'll probably drop out. Do I have any other options then? Sorry for the rant... this is just very discouraging and I wish I hadn't put so much time and effort into researching chapters and recruitment advice and obtaining recs. :-(

Keep your head up -- there really are no "bottom houses" at UNC. I'm sure you will be happy no matter where you end up.

I'm not familiar with your campus so others will have to chime in on whether or not COB is an option. However, I just looked at the local websites for the sororities on your campus and I'm at a bit of a loss. They all look like great chapters.

I do hope you'll stick it out. I know Recruitment is difficult and painful and I'm sorry things haven't yet turned out the way you wanted. Keep in mind though that your perfect home could be right under your nose and you just haven't noticed it yet.

Another thing to consider is the fact that after Recruitment the sororities aren't exactly the same as they were before. They include the new pledge classes.

You mentioned that others had the same 4 chapters left. Take some time to look around at your fellow PNMs. You'll be spending most of your time with your pledge class. Have you made friends with other PNMs?

I wish you the best of luck!

Don't give up! Keep an open mind with the 4 chapters that are left. I hope it all works out for you in the end.

I completely agree with KSUViolet that you should try to stick it out at least through Pref and even through Bid Day. There is so much to learn and see about each chapter and its members. You can always choose not to accept your bid, but you don't want to "what if...?" yourself for years to come.

Also, many girls are only thinking about their favorite houses in early rounds and don't focus on the others. Once they can spend an entire night looking at those others, some great qualities that might have been overlooked before can come out.

I do hope you choose to continue with recruitment but either way, good luck!

A few people mentioned this above, but your other "options" would most likely be limited. Most likely the chapters (or some of them) that you don't find particularly appealing may be the ones doing COB...if UNC does COB at all which seems unlikely according to what laurand333 said above...

PLEASE stick it out until pref. Just to echo what another poster mentioned above, you said, LOTS of other PNMs have the same 4 houses on their schedules. These ladies are your potential pledge class sisters, who you will be spending lots of time with.

If you have indeed made friends with any other PNMs, maybe a group of you will end up together. If you keep encouraging each other to "stick it out," (at least through pref round) there's always a chance you could end up in the same chapter and strengthening it! Who knows, even if you are invited back to a chapter you aren't absolutely thrilled with, if you pledge and subsequently become a member, then you can help shape the house. Your joining that house makes it a better house...this is how chapters "improve!" (Not that chapters at Chapel Hill are in need of improving, this is just from the POV of the OP).

Best of luck megzamillion, we're pulling for you!

A few of my friends said they talked to a number of sophomores yesterday who were extremely stressed and in the same situation. RELAX! It is not a cake walk to get in to every house as a sophomore, but it is possible, and having four houses is excellent!

We know who will and will not fit into our houses. Do not take it too personally that several houses cut you. (I know it's easier said than done.) Rush is not a perfect science, but the sorority women still do an excellent job of filling out their pledge classes with the girls that will most likely fit into their respective houses.

Also know that there is only one struggling house, but they had some amazing women pledge last year and people are taking notice. My chapter's advisor also said that they now have a full-time Leadership Consultant assisting them. This is really exciting for everyone because no one wants to see weak chapters and Phi Mu's successful recolonization shows that UNC's campus is open to major undertakings; I think this "struggling" chapter will be one to reckon with soon.

I will also say that when I rushed girls, I preferred sophomores over first-years. You've already been through your first year, you have a strong GPA, and you are demonstrating that you have clearly put thought into rushing. I'd rather put my weight behind you than someone who is going to (most likely) struggle to find the right balance in their first semester, if not their first year, and that can be very difficult for chapter GPAs (and images!) to manage.

GOOD LUCK! :)

After several long conversations with my Rho Chi, my parents, my boyfriend, and my friends, I decided to continue with recruitment. I figured that this would pretty much be my last chance considering that I am a sophomore, and rushing as a junior would be even more difficult than my current experience. Since I'm a transfer, I need to find ways to get involved and meet people, so I might as well take advantage of this opportunity. I'll hold off on the details once again until after it ends, so I can provide a full recruitment story for you all to read :)

Pref night is tomorrow, so I guess I'll find out if anyone wanted me back...

laurand333, yes I did go to house tours (only a few) but I was very impressed with what I saw :) Some of those houses are gorgeous.

megza...we will all think good thoughts!

Good for you! From what I know of UNC, they have all great houses.

Thanks for keeping us up to date on how you are doing, and we are all rooting for you :)

Quota was 48! My chapter, Tri Sigma took 50 pledges!! :D

One hour until Bid Day begins!!! :) I have been hearing good things from Chapel Hill!

Round One - Open House
 

Thanks for your patience! Friday was the first round of recruitment. I was extremely excited to visit each chapter and had spent the vast majority of the summer preparing for this moment. We had to make our own nametags, so my friends (let's call them Christina and Sarah) and I went to the craft store to get scrapbooking supplies, rhinestones, and glitter of course :) I spent a good two hours working on my nametag to get it just right and I was very proud of the final product. On the day of the first round, I headed over to my meeting place to meet with my Rho Chis and the rest of my rush group. There were two other sophomores in my group of about twenty; the rest were freshmen. We visited 5 houses for 20 minutes each, then had a one hour dinner break, and then visited the remaining 5 houses for a grand total of 7 hours! I just hoped that I would be able to keep my energy up throughout the whole thing.

Since I ride horses, I have decided to use horse breeds as the code names. I have chosen some pretty original ones to keep it interesting :-P In no particular order, the ten houses on campus were:
Hanoverian
Selle Francais
Dutch Warmblood
Appaloosa
Quarter Horse
Clydesdale
Holsteiner
Westphalian
Paso Fino
Lipizzaner

Selle Francais- I was not expecting the loud screaming and banging on the windows and was caught by surprise, but these girls were very energetic and welcoming. I treated this round like a practice round and had some good conversations with the girls here. Overall, I left with a good impression, but neither liked nor hated it.
Holsteiner- This house was beautiful, the landscaping was very nice and once again we were greeted by loud chants. Their theme was very creative and I had some good conversations as well. The girls here were very cute and nice. I liked this one better than the first one I had been to. I had an information-only reference letter here.
Lipazanner- This group had a very cute theme that complemented their name. Most of the girls I spoke with here seemed disinterested in what I had to say. There was one awkward silence that I tried desperately to fix, but I just couldn’t think of anything to say or ask. I mentally checked this house off my list, considering that I didn’t leave a very good impression here.
Paso Fino- I was very excited about this house because my mom’s best friend that has known me since I was born was a Paso Fino. She wrote me a very nice reference letter. I really liked the girls here. They were down to earth and very real and spoke to me about their big/little program and I was very much intrigued by it. One girl had come up to me and said that she just wanted to check on things since she had heard so many good things about me. This made me feel so special and welcome, and I mentally placed this house at the top of my list so far.
Hanoverian- The first girl I spoke to here was very nice and I liked her very much. Conversation flowed easily until she was bumped and I spoke with a new girl. Each subsequent rusher just didn’t click with me. It was slightly awkward at times, so I moved this house toward the bottom of my list. I had a reference from a friend to this house.
Dinner Break!! Finally, some much needed time to refuel and freshen up before the second set of houses. The tent talk here was incessant, but I tried to remain focused on my own goals and thoughts.
Appaloosa- I was the most excited about this house and desperately wanted to make a good impression on these girls. The girl who walked me in was very nice and it turns out that we have a class together. The next girl that I talked to rides horses as well and had been to my old school for horse shows. The last girl I had was extremely nice and down to earth and asked for my last name before walking me out. Conversation went beyond the surface small talk in this house. I absolutely fell in love with this house and could picture myself there. I had two references to this house.
Westphalian- The girls in this house just seemed awkward all around. They were nice, but tried to insert facts about their sorority into every tidbit of conversation, which almost came across as being desperate. I just didn’t feel like I belonged here. I’m sure every girl in that sorority feels at home where they are, but I absolutely did not get that feeling. This house went straight to the bottom of my list.
Dutch Warmblood- This house was absolutely gorgeous and very large. The girls resembled the Stepford Wives because they were all stunningly beautiful and every move was choreographed to perfection. The girls that I spoke to here were very nice and we talked about things beyond small talk. Some of them came across as slightly dim, but they seemed genuinely interested in what I had to say. I had a reference to this house from my boyfriend’s older sister.
Clydesdale- The girls here were very nice, but I felt slightly awkward with one of them. The inside of their house was beautiful. A member of this group lives in my hall. I’d like to give this group another chance.

Quarter Horse- I talked to a couple of girls here who were very relaxed and nice. One of them rode horses as well, and one of them was a transfer student as well. I felt comfortable here and placed this house near the top of my list.

Ranking After Round One:

Top 7
- Appaloosa
- Paso Fino
- Dutch Warmblood
- Quarter Horse
- Holsteiner
- Clydesdale
- Selle Francais
Bottom 3 (Ranked)
1. Lipizzaner
2. Hanoverian
3. Westphalian

Love the code names, although I've already cracked it ;), as I horseback ride as well!

I can't wait to see how the rest of your recruitment went!!

Great summary of the day!
Keep going - I want to know more!!
I'm rooting for Paso Fino.

More????
 

Since we've been so patient.... could give us your second day too?:):);)

If we're lucky, maybe she'll post more tonight. But today is bid day after all so mega is hopefully celebrating with her beautiful new sisters!! :)

I just got back from UNC's Bid Day! The girls stopped traffic on their way to their houses...it was quite a sight. My chapter also received 50 girls! I hope that Megz is at her new home celebrating with her new SISTERS!!!

Round Two - Skit Day
 

Since you've been so patient... here's the second installment of my story :)

I was very nervous but excited to meet with my group and find out where I would be headed for this round. I had heard that the skit round was the best day of recruitment. We could attend a maximum of 7 houses for skit round. However, when I met with my Rho Chi, I was shocked to find that I had only invited back to 4 houses! I wondered what I had done wrong or why so many groups had dropped me after the first round, including many that I had references to. I was invited back to:

Hanoverian
Selle Francais
Clydesdale
Westphalian

I called my mom searching for some advice. I was absolutely devastated that many of the sororities that I had fallen in love with the previous round had dropped me without giving me a second chance. I instantly figured that it was because I was a sophomore, but I texted my two friends who are also sophomores, and Christina had been asked back to 6 out of her top 7 and the first one of her bottom 3, and Sarah had been invited back to 3 of her top choices and her bottom 3. Maybe I just wasn’t memorable? I spoke with my Rho Chi and she encouraged me to continue through this round and we would talk again after my last round since I would finish a couple of hours early.

Hanoverian- I tried to dry my eyes and regain my composure before being led into this house. Their skit was very cute and made me laugh at times even though I was feeling horrible inside. I spoke with some girls about the financial sheet, and I didn’t feel like this round was going as well as it could have. I just didn’t have very many questions since I hadn’t had a chance to look at the sheet.

Selle Francais- I tried harder at this round to be interested, and their skit was a movie theme. I spoke with a couple of girls about the financial sheet here as well, and laughed with one of them about her role in the skit. She did very well and resembled her character when she was all dressed up. I was beginning to feel better after this round.

Westphalian- Their skit was very creative, but felt too dramatic and overdone. I spoke with a couple of different girls about the financial stuff. Once again, the conversations seemed forced and awkward. This house was at the bottom of my list once again.

Clydesdale- I was led in with another PNM to watch the skit. The skit was adorable and the songs were very clever. The two of us were then taken into another room to talk about the financial stuff. Unlike the other houses, the girls elaborated on their social events and other activities during this round as well. I was beginning to like it here and spoke with some very nice girls.

After this round, I spoke with my Rho Chi and decided to stick it out once again. We were supposed to list our top 5 and rank our bottom 2, but since I only had 4, I wrote all four down.

Ranking After Round Two:

Top 5
- Clydesdale
- Selle Francais
- Hanoverian
- Westphalian
-
Bottom 2 (Ranked)
1.
2.