George Washington Fall 09
 

I am going through recruitment at GW this fall, and wanted to know what y'all thought about the atmosphere.... how competative is it? and what is it like? anything important i should know ahead of time? Most of my friends from high school went to parties in houses but I heard at GW the parties r in classrooms... how does that work? and I know Chi Omega is a new chapter there .... will their recruitment be the same as the other chapters? And Im prolly thinking ahead of myself but how do bigs and littles work if all of the sisters were new last year? Thanks for any advice!!!!

From my understanding, Chi O will join the other chapters in the recruitment process and progress in the same way as the other chapters as well. Fall is GW's formal recruitment period, so I would imagine they would join the ranks ESPECIALLY because they are new. They need to take the formal recruitment period as a way of getting their faces out there since formal recruitment will "encourage" PNMs to attend their events and get them noticed.

Bigs and littles can vary between organizations, but the idea is that as a new member, you have one individual who will see to it that you acclimate to the chapter well, learn what you need to know as a new member, and basically be your personal ambassador to your new organization. Not to mention, many chapters shower their new littles with gifts throughout the new member period and look after you as if you were their biological little sister. It's a great comfort in any new organization to have a special person look out for you... and that's what the program encourages.

GW is not terribly competitive. Most women will receive a bid if they keep their options open. The first three rounds of recruitment are held in the Marvin Center -- not every chapter has a house, and most of the houses are too small for recruitment events anyway. Preference round is held in various locations around campus (ADPi is in Post Hall on the Vern, some other locations I can think of are Betts Theatre, City Hall, a tent on Kogan Plaza, Continental Ballroom, etc.) Chi Omega is participating in formal recruitment just like every other chapter.

You can PM me if you have other questions.

Hi all,
Thank you for the quick responses! Sorry I just have a few more questions. Do most girls have recomendations? My sister's best friend is a delta gamma at another school and she told me that you can't join delta gamma without one? Is it okay to ask if a chapter has a house during recruitment? I really think I would perfer a chapter with a house, but I don't want to come across as rude to chapters without houses, who knows maybe one of them will be my home! Also would a nice blouse and jeans be okay for night one or should I wear something more formal. Finally I heard some girls saying that the jewish sororities will automatically cut you on night one if you are not jewish? Is that true? If it is dosen't that really limit the houses you can be invited back to? Do most girls have a full schedule most nights? Since I am not jewish is it likley that I will be cut heavily on night one? Sorry for all of the questions! I just feel like there is not a ton of information on the website or facebook!
Thanks for everything... u have no idea how much u've all helped make this process easier!

It can never hurt you to have recommendations, but I can tell you that chapters usually don't receive many recommendations at GW. They just aren't very common. For chapters that require recommendations to offer a bid, they will secure one for you if (IF IF IF) they really want you.

It's fine to ask about housing during the rounds, the chapter members are expecting questions about it. I know ADPi, DG, Sigma Kappa, Alpha Phi and Phi Sig are housed, and I think AEPhi is too.

Nice blouse and jeans sounds perfect for open round. Most girls go with jeans and a nice top or a casual dress.

As for the Jewish thing...there are two chapters that are predominantly Jewish. I don't know if either of those chapters have any non-Jewish members. But that is only two chapters out of ten! You can go back to up to eight chapters for philanthropy round. I wouldn't worry about being cut heavily JUST because you aren't Jewish. Plus, many women won't have full schedules.

Good luck with recruitment!

Kappa Kappa Gamma has one of the Greek townhouses on 23rd Street.

So sorry, I got Kappa and AEPhi mixed up. I knew there was another chapter on Townhouse Row but couldn't remember which.

Every school is different and I agree, recs/sponsorships are not as heavily endorsed in some areas of the country. I know that I would never be a Delta Gamma at some Southern schools if I didn't have a recommendation. That's not the case for many schools and I'm 99% sure that's not the case at GW. Sure they help, but I wouldn't worry too much about that.

Most chapters, if they have housing on campus at GW, will tell you. Their row houses aren't very old so most are proud of them, especially since not everyone has housing. But sure, it's certainly ok to ask.

And finally, I agree with KSU... just because you aren't Jewish doesn't mean you will be cut. Recruitment is a mutual selection process. If you meet a bunch of women who you've heard are in a "Jewish" house and you all hit it off, congrats, maybe you've found your new home.

You have to remember what characteristics, qualities, attributes and morals mean the most to you. Take that and know that women recruiting for a sorority go through the mutual selection process with characteristics, qualities, attributes and morals on the mind too. If they have a connection with you that's a little deeper than Jane next to you, maybe you'll get that invite back... you never know what that connection will be. Don't let issues of race, class, religion sit in the front of your mind when going through recruitment; you'll only sell yourself short. GW is diverse and in a diverse city - you will find the right place for you before you know it.

*Good luck!*