Rush Tips
 

Hey everyone! This upcoming rush will be my first rush from the "other side." I'm sure I'll do fine, but if anyone has suggestions on how to be a good rusher I'd be happy to hear them! I'd also like to know of any good topics to talk about. I know when I rushed I was always asked the same thing, but I'm having problems thinking of interesting, but unique, topics to discuss. Thanks!

I'm the recruitment chair for my chapter and before going through Rush, I encouraged my sisters to ask the rushees "real" questions. Questions that you would ask someone you first met in a class, other than "whats your major?" We asked about movies, music, summer vacation, and really did wind up getting into normal friendly conversations. Afterwards, when asking our new members what helped them choose us, the majority said that it was because we seemed like real people and mentioned they felt like they were on an interview with the other sororities. I don't know if that helps you at all...

If you have a choice...

Don't "pref" someone unless you know her really well, and you think you'll do well giving the "I really want you here..." speech. Not everyone is a natural at getting all emotional and serious like that. I preffed 2 rushees last year (one at each of the pref parties) and I don't think I did a good job. At least one of them didn't pref my house. So I'm going to avoid doing it at all costs this year.

Our rush chairs always remind us not to act like we're meeting girls for the first time during rush parties, since we have rush in January. We've had all fall to get to know these people. So instead of saying, "it's good to meet you," say "it's good to see you" or "i'm so excited that you came back tonight." Even if you don't really know them, kind of fake it and make them feel comfortable.

Rushees really love it when you introduce them to people who seem important, like the rush chair or the president (even if those people don't have any more influence than any other sister).

I'm sure your rush chair and your other sisters, particularly those who have already rushed from the other side, will have lots of good advice. Here's my advice -

- Try to set whoever you're talking to at ease.
- Don't ask the standard "where are you from, what's your major" questions unless you have nothing else to ask. (When I was a rushee I felt like writing that stuff on my name tag to get it out of the way :) )
- During early parties, talk about your sorority's high academic standards, good philanthropy work, and non-hazing policy (a lot of rushees, particularly those from families where no one went greek, are worried about that, but they may be afraid to ask).
- During later parties, talk about why you picked your sorority over all the other sororities on campus. Speak in general terms; DO NOT bash particular sororities (not only is this usually against the rules, it's catty).
- Don't ask "Can I tell you anything about my sorority?" That really puts rushees on the spot to come up with a question.
- As twinstars suggested, don't pref someone unless you can really give that heartfelt "I want you to be my sister" speech.

Good luck! :)

Make a list of ten subjects to bring up in conversation if you can't think of anything else to say. Write this list down and look at it all day so when you're at a rush party you can easily think of a subject if the conversation dies. As the week goes on, try to remember something about each rushee (this can be difficult) and bring it up in conversation. It's a nice personal touch.

I always liked to talk with rushees that were in my same major-you can talk about classes and professors. Whatever you do-don't ask them what their parents do for a living (not that you would do this).

Three words:

Make a friend.

hey, thanks everyone, this helps me too :) I'm going through rush "from the other side" for the first time next semester also :D All the girls I pledged with and I are really excited about it (as you would think...!)