My Retro Recruitment: Lilly Edition
 

Hello everyone, I thought sharing my story would be a good way to introduce myself to everyone :) I am still in college (although I won't say what year) and I'd rather not reveal what school I attend, but I do wind up as a Phi Mu.

It's been a while since I went through recruitment (I'm going to refer to it as rush from here on out, it's easier to type), so my details may not be perfect. I'm going to post about all four rounds, but I'm going to exclude some of the chapters that I didn't remember much about from the first round. That way, it'll be a bit harder to figure out my school!

My background as a college freshmen: I was determined to be in a sorority, I decided before hand that if I got a bid I would accept it, even if it wasn't from a "top tier" group. I wanted to be a part of an organization that is bigger than me, and I craved sisterhood as I was an only child. I had a decent high school experience, with good grades and several extracurriculars. I did not have a rec to every house, but I obtained them for about half. I was not a legacy to any house, nor did I know any women who could write recs, so they were all information only. I was rather conservative in high school, I never drank or partied, but I wanted to in college. I was just apprehensive about it, as I had literally no experience or exposure with/to drinking.

I'm an English and Elementary Education major, so I am passionate about kids. I'll try to be as honest as possible!

I'm obsessed with Lilly Pulitzer, so I'll be naming each sorority with a Lilly print. The 11 sororities that I'll be describing are:
Let Them Eat Cake
Shorely Blue
Cherry Begonias
Dark and Stormy
Ride the Wave
Blue Eyed Girl
Hot to Trot
Lilet
Minnie Zinny
Fallin in Love a Little
Docksider

I did have some preconceived notions about some of the sororities, but as I can't differentiate what I knew before rush and what I know now, I'll just leave that part off. First round started in the AM (and I won't tell you if it was spread over 2 days.... but that's a possibility!), and went until pretty late, so by the end of the day I was exhausted. I do feel that this may have effected my conversations and enthusiasm by the time I reached the very last house, but I'll never know! These aren't in order of visit, it's by order of what I remember.

Shorely Blue: Shorely blue's house was very pretty from the outside, but I was SHOCKED whenever they started screaming, banging on the windows, and flickering the lights. I knew that there was going to be yelling involved, but wow.... it was a lot. When the sisters came out to the front yard my first thought was how they seemed to have a lot of different types of girls, this wasn't a "cookie cutter" house. The sister that I talked to seemed a little nervous, but I was too so it worked out fine. She led me onto a patio which was not fun, it was incredibly hot. The conversation was okay, I was bumped a few times but I didn't feel an instant connection. We discussed very basic topics such as sports. I didn't love them, but I didn't hate them either. I didn't know what to expect because it was the first house.

Minnie Zinny: This house was gorgeous as well, and it looked huge! The PNMs were led around the back which I thought was strange... why not just go in the front door? The sisters sang a cute song, but they seemed sorta sporty, which I am not. At all. After the song I was led into the main part of the house and sat on a couch while the sister kneeled in front of me. This was the first time that had happened so it felt a little awkward. I was bumped A LOT. I felt like I met around 10 sisters, and keep in mind this round was pretty short. I had heard very good things about this house, but I didn't get past basic introductions with any sister. There just wasn't enough time before they bumped us again. I did really want to get to know this house better, but I wasn't really impressed.

Fallin in Love a Little: The house was quite a walk from the house before, so I barely made it in time before we were supposed to start lining up. I was out of breath and a bit sweaty so I was worried I would make a bad impression. I pulled it together before the sisters came outside to get us. The first sister I talked to was incredibly awkward. I feel like I had to carry the conversation, and she was reluctant to answer. I knew this wasn't her being rude, the house was known for being awkward. The one thing I distinctively remember about the first sister is that she had a tattoo on her wrist. I hate tattoos, I think they are so tacky/trashy so I did think less of her for it. The next girl that bumped me I LOVED LOVED LOVED. She was so bubbly and outgoing, and very pretty. We talked about my interest in fashion and how my goal was (then, not now) to start my own business one day. She was so much fun, and I knew I would love to call her my sister. I think I got bumped once more, but I don't remember the other conversation(s). I definitely wanted to return to this house, I loved it!

Let Them Eat Cake: This house is known as the slutty party goes, so I was not very thrilled about visiting, because they intimidated me. I had a feeling this house wasn't for me, but I was of course polite and engaging. I felt uncomfortable from the moment I stepped foot in the door. They looked very put together, and not in a good way. The majority looked as if they tanned, quite a few had on rather heavy makeup and every single person's hair was stick straight (mine is not). I was taken outside to sit on the porch, while the sister knelt in front of me. I could see straight down her shirt. This made me very uncomfortable, I kept thinking that if I was a sister I would not want to have to constantly look fabulous, and I thought the shirt was completely inappropriate for rush. This confirmed to me (even if it might not be true), that this house was a bit slutty. I did NOT want to return the next day.

Hot to Trot: I don't remember a whole lot about this house, except that had really cute t-shirts. I loved the song, it was adorable, but I didn't have any connections with the sisters. The conversations were bland. I was willing to give this house another chance, but I didn't think they were the one for me.

Lilet: This house had a very fun theme, and a very upbeat song/dance. I didn't like that we were asked to sit in the floor, as I was wearing a skirt. After the song I was one of the unlucky few that got to remain sitting in the floor, instead of being taken to another room. I feel like my conversations suffered because I was so uncomfortable, and they girls seemed really nice, but not all that interested. This probably wasn't the house for me.

Blue Eyed Girl: This house wasn't impressive from the outside, but it was GORGEOUS once I walked in the front door. I loved that the girls outfits matched, and the theme was very cute. I could see myself wearing something similar. I was taken outside to talk, and I had decent conversations. The sister seemed laid back with a girly side, which perfectly describes me. They didn't seem too high maintenance, but they seemed to like genuinely like each other, and they didn't all look exactly the same. I wanted to return the next day, this house was high on my list.

Dark and Stormy: The girls outfits were so cute!!! They had such a funny skit, and their house was HUGE! I did feel like they were judgmental when I answered that I hadn't done much the previous summer besides prepare for college and hangout with friends. I really wanted to return to this house, but I didn't think the feeling was mutual. The sisters I talked to seemed like they would rather be doing something else.

Cherry Begonias: I went in with extremely high expectations for this house, and they were even better than I could imagine! They were down to earth and intelligent, and I had their "look". I could see myself fitting in with every single person I talked to. I had great conversations, it felt just like talking to an old friend. We went beyond basic small talk, but I can't remember the topic. I would be crushed if I didn't get invited back the next day!

Docksider: This house was beautiful as well, and the girls seemed very sweet. They had a really cute song, but I was so tired. I was taken outside to sit at a picnic table and was thankful that the sister didn't kneel. We mostly discussed how tired we were. Looking back, I wish I had thought of something else to say, but my mind was just blank. I felt like I really needed to impress them, but I didn't want to seem like I was trying too hard. I wanted to return, but I wasn't sure if I had made any impression at all, good or bad.

Ride the Wave: The girls were very, very loud. They screamed. A lot. It was hard to have a conversation with the sister because they were so incredibly loud! After the song I was taken to the living room so we could finally have a conversation. We talked about our majors and clicked well, but the screaming really put me off. They also seemed a little too low energy for my liking. I was on the fence.

Out of these houses I put two in my bottom and the rest were in my top, ranked like this:
Cherry Begonias
Dark and Stormy
Ride the Wave
Blue Eyed Girl
Hot to Trot
Lilet
Minnie Zinny
Docksider
Fallin in Love a Little

Shorely Blue
Let Them Eat Cake

loving this story! more soon? :)

I am obsessed in anything Lilly! I vote Cherry Begonias, it is my favorite print :)

Love the theme :) Go Dark and Stormy! Can't wait to read more!

Love it!! Can't wait to hear more :)

the slutty, party house should have been named "hot to trot".

More please!

Hey everyone, sorry for the delay! I was very sick last night so I've spent the afternoon at the doctor. No fun. Anyway...

I was dying of anticipation when I met with my rush group on the next day of rush, I was so afraid I had only gotten invited back to the houses I hated. I did get my hopes up, though. I was hoping and praying for a full schedule. The rho chi called my name and handed me my schedule which said:

Cherry Begonias
Ride the Wave
Blue Eyed Girl
Shorely Blue
Fallin in Love a Little

I was shocked. How did I only get invited back to five houses? Was I that undesirable to get cut from SO MANY houses. I was excited to see my top two picks back, Cherry Begonias and Blue Eyed Girl. However all "top tier" houses had cut me. I was crushed. What did the other girls have that I didn't? (Looking back I think I might have tried a little too hard, and the conversations were a bit forced.)

I pulled myself together and refused to cry there were a few other girls in my group that received a similar invite list, and some that had even fewer remaining houses. I just had to remember that it only takes one, and I still had two houses that I loved! I was just so afraid of being cut from both.

Cherry Begonias: I was SO THRILLED to be going back. This is the house I wanted the most, and I could see it becoming my home. The skit was so funny, and I imagined myself being a part of it the next year. They seemed to have a very strong sisterhood, and I desperately wanted to be a part of it. I had decent conversations, but not as great as the first day. I did say something a little awkward... I might have been too forward about my love for the house. I hope that it won't hurt my chances, I would be so upset if I didn't see Cherry Begonias on my list for the 3rd round!

Blue Eyed Girl: Today, I fell in love. After a lackluster time at my top house, I knew this was the one. The sisters seemed so excited to have me back, they made me feel welcome and wanted. The skit was cute, and I could also see myself being a part. I loved the sister's outfits, and I didn't have a single bad conversation. One sister explained to me all of the fun activities (mixers, big/little) that the chapter participated in and I wanted to be a part!!! I knew that as long as this house was on my schedule for the next day, I would be happy.

Fallin in Love a Little: I hated the skit. It was cheesy and uninteresting, after having a much better time at the first two houses, their performance just fell short. I did not meet another bubbly, gorgeous girl. I got stuck with quiet, awkward ones that I just didn't connect with. They were trying so hard, but I just wasn't feeling it. I didn't want to return, but knew I probably would since I had already been cut from so many houses.

Ride the Wave: Their skit was based off of a popular movie (which I love!) so I really enjoyed it. However, I just didn't click with the sisters. And there was more screaming, and I couldn't stand it. My conversations were just average small talk, nothing spectacular. I was indifferent about this house when I left.

Shorely Blue: After lining up I was paired off with a sister that was dressed up as a man. I knew it was for the skit, but gah it was strange. I joked around about how sexy "he" was, and that I bet all the sisters were fighting over "him." It was a funny conversation, but I didn't feel a deep connection. It was very shallow. The skit was somewhat funny, but I felt like it was trying a little too hard to show how awesome the sorority was. I wanted to give this house another chance.

At the end of the night I didn't have to put any houses in my bottom, but if I had to rank it would have been like this:

Blue Eyed Girl
Cherry Begonias
Shorely Blue
Ride the Wave
Fallin in Love a Little

My two favorite prints are Cherry Begonias and Blue Eyed Girl, so I'm rooting for them!

So so sorry for the delay! To be honest I sort of forgot, I've been extremely busy this summer. I'll post the last two nights quickly, sorry to keep you waiting!

Round 3, House Tours:

I was so nervous about getting my invites for this round, I was hoping to still return to all five houses, I didn't know if I could stand any more upsetting cuts. There was a break between round 2 and 3 (a day or two, I think) so the waiting game was miserable. I was one of the first to meet at my Rho Chi group's meeting spot, and one of the last to get my schedule. It was SO TERRIBLE waiting. My Rho Chi showed me my schedule, it said:

Blue Eyed Girl
Shorely Blue
Fallin in Love a Little

(sorry if the colors are a little off, i sort of forgot which ones I was using)

I thought I would be upset about the absence of Cherry Begonias but I honestly didn't care. I still had Blue Eyed Girl. My Rho Chi asked me a few times if I was okay... she knew about my former love affair with Cherry Begonias, but I was fine! After reading Greek Chat I knew it only takes one...

Blue Eyed Girl
I was SO excited to be returning here tonight, after I fell in love during the previous round I had extremely high hopes for this one. It didn't fail to impress! The house was gorgeous, I loved the upstairs. I was getting along so well with the active that was showing me around that we didn't even make it to any of the food tables before the bell signaled the end of the round. She apologized, but I told her that I didn't mind at all (even though the food DID look pretty great). As I was leaving she said "I hope to see you tomorrow!" Ahhhh, I was so happy! I was trying not to get my hopes up, because I know things happen, but I would be crushed if I was not invited back to this house.

Shorely Blue
I wasn't quite as thrilled to be going back to this house, just because I felt like I hadn't made any great connections yet. However, I knew that I needed to keep my options open, especially since I had so few houses left. The house was nice, but nothing extraordinary. I liked that there was a quiet study space. I just didn't know if I could see myself being anything more than friends with this group of girls.

Fallin in Love a Little
I was rather unhappy to be returning to this house, after several awkward conversations it was no longer in the running for me. I had the worst conversation of rush at this house, and it just set my mind that this house was NOT for me. The girls were nice and cute, but I didn't fit the image that most of them portrayed. I really disliked the house, it needed some work done... I had no idea why the girls were so excited to show it off.

At the end of the night the rankings were easy (I didn't have to rank any in the bottom). In order of my preference they are:

Blue Eyed Girl
Shorely Blue
Fallin in Love a Little

more please!

Am I the only one who spent at least ten minutes looking up all these Lilly prints to get a visual of her houses? I love Lilly and would never be able to choose a favorite but I only know a couple of prints by name. They're all gorgeous!

I just typed the response. And it didn't post. Ahhhh. Not really in the mood to type it again at the moment!

I'll try my best to finish my story by the end of the night!

So waiting to see what happens!