borrowed from Phi Mu...how did you know you were a Pi Phi?
 

How did you know you were a Pi Phi?

Was it something someone said at rush, or did something really strike you at a COB party, or did you meet a Pi Phi that really represented sisterhood to you? Jump in at any time...I'd like to know other Pi Phi's reasons in preparation for recruitment! :)

PPL&Mine,
Jess

The pref party did it, honest to heaven. (No pun intended.) After that ceremony, there was no other choice! I, uh, sorry about this folks, single preferenced.

How did i know i was a pi phi. well it was alot, over the course of my cob, pledging, and initiation; at COB party... i had went to 2 other houses, yet when i arrived at Pi phi. i never wanted to leave, the sisters were so great, and at other houses everyone was "nice" yet something Clicked at Pi Phi.. everything was right; everything was perfect.... This is where i wanted to be, this was a place that i knew i could love... I had so much in common, I respected the sisters, they were people who not only can you share a bond of sisterhood, yet they were smart, strong and wonderful girls. Who had opinions on current events, politics, issues, and other topics. they were people who had opinions, and beliefs... these are people who i can respect and love. People who are smart, strong and well rounded girls. This is why i knew i wanted to be a pi phi when i was pledging, i grew to love pi phi... every day was better than the one before... this was the best decision of my life... i love pi phi and my sisters more than i can tell..... :) <3
<3 pi phi love and mine... :)

I agree with Carnation, all during the pref party I kept looking around at all the actives and in my mind saying this is were I belong! It was so hard at the other house I preffed to pretend like I was intereseted because I already knew where my heart was set. I was so nervous because the Pi Phis are so classy and I was so scared that they wouldn't want me. But thankfully I put them first and now I know I made the right choice. Every time I hear the pref ceremony I cry b/c it reminds me of why I pledged.

Best one!
 

I knew that I wanted to be a Pi Phi at UALR because they looked so classy in their letter shirts on the first day of school. So I went through Formal rush and went to all the houses. Well my sister is a Chi Omega and when I visited their house the first night of formal rush they could only say, "oh your Monica's sister". I kinda felt like crap because they couldnt even say my name when I had a name tag on my chest! I am my own person....my name is not "Monica's sister" so from that moment....I crossed them out.

As far as the other house which are the Tri-Deltas....come on do I have to have an excuse for them...look at them! There was no way I wanted to be apart of that!

So I choose Pi Beta Phi for formal rush....but they didnt pick me! So in Formal rush of 1999 I didnt get in....I was crushed! But I picked my self up and went through fall open rush. I called the Pi Phi house for all the details and went on a rush event with them at a resturant...I thought everything went well but to find out they never called me for another event. So I called the president to ask what they were doing that week because I would like to hang out with them. She told me that she would call me back.
I went ahead and went to work as usual and my boss said I had a call. (I was a waitress at this time). I pick up the phone to find out that it was the president of Pi Phi telling me that I didnt get in! WHY DID SHE HAVE TO TELL ME THIS AT WORK? So I tried to keep myself together but I couldnt I cried for several minutes and my boss let me go.

I went home to my mom and she told me to just hang in there. So I went on through out that Fall semester seeing these girls wear the letters that I wanted to! So with all my dignity...I waited till Spring open and put another application in. I was great friends with the Sigma Nu's on campus so I was always there. I receive a call at the Sigma Nu house that I was wanted at the Pi Phi house because they were interested in me and they wanted me to come to some rush events. (I thought to myself...about time!) I walked down the street shaking my butt off because this was the moment I have been waiting for for several months. I walked up to meet the most unbelievable girls that I have ever met.

They invited me to rush events and always called me just to hang out at the house after classes. I knew that if I didnt get in this time I would be hurt because I have gotten so close to the girls that I always wanted them to be there for me. So the day came that I had to await a call from the VP Social to let me know if I got in....I waited that whole day and not a call until 10pm. I knew that it was something bad because they werent happy. They let me know that I didnt get in ..... YET because the Campus of Life lost my application. The VP Social told me that I would have to wait a week. I waited a whole week and went through the entire day awaiting for the call and then finally at 6pm. The President called me to let me know that I got in...but to my suprise I didnt say anything but thanks! I guess because I was tired of putting all my effort and all my worries into this one call.

I was told by several members that they were shocked that I didnt scream or jump up and down because they knew how much I wanted to be a Pi Phi. They almost thought that I didnt want them anymore!

I will always want Pi Phi in my life. My entire pledgeship was the most fun I have ever had. I met so many people that I love dearly... and most of all I will never forget my pledge trainer Brooke Wewers! She gave me the strength and inspiration that I needed to become the Pi Phi that I am.

Well I hope you have enjoyed my story of why I chose Pi Phi!
Thank you all!

(\ 0 /)
../_\

-Arkansas Beta-
Chapter Secretary
Marty Caldwell 563

The Best Dang Sorority...no questions asked
 

I knew that I wanted to be a Pi Phi at UALR because they looked so classy in their letter shirts on the first day of school. So I went through Formal rush and went to all the houses. Well my sister is a Chi Omega and when I visited their house the first night of formal rush they could only say, "oh your Monica's sister". I kinda felt like crap because they couldnt even say my name when I had a name tag on my chest! I am my own person....my name is not "Monica's sister" so from that moment....I crossed them out.

As far as the other house which are the Tri-Deltas....come on do I have to have an excuse for them...look at them! There was no way I wanted to be apart of that!

So I choose Pi Beta Phi for formal rush....but they didnt pick me! So in Formal rush of 1999 I didnt get in....I was crushed! But I picked my self up and went through fall open rush. I called the Pi Phi house for all the details and went on a rush event with them at a resturant...I thought everything went well but to find out they never called me for another event. So I called the president to ask what they were doing that week because I would like to hang out with them. She told me that she would call me back.
I went ahead and went to work as usual and my boss said I had a call. (I was a waitress at this time). I pick up the phone to find out that it was the president of Pi Phi telling me that I didnt get in! WHY DID SHE HAVE TO TELL ME THIS AT WORK? So I tried to keep myself together but I couldnt I cried for several minutes and my boss let me go.

I went home to my mom and she told me to just hang in there. So I went on through out that Fall semester seeing these girls wear the letters that I wanted to! So with all my dignity...I waited till Spring open and put another application in. I was great friends with the Sigma Nu's on campus so I was always there. I receive a call at the Sigma Nu house that I was wanted at the Pi Phi house because they were interested in me and they wanted me to come to some rush events. (I thought to myself...about time!) I walked down the street shaking my butt off because this was the moment I have been waiting for for several months. I walked up to meet the most unbelievable girls that I have ever met.

They invited me to rush events and always called me just to hang out at the house after classes. I knew that if I didnt get in this time I would be hurt because I have gotten so close to the girls that I always wanted them to be there for me. So the day came that I had to await a call from the VP Social to let me know if I got in....I waited that whole day and not a call until 10pm. I knew that it was something bad because they werent happy. They let me know that I didnt get in ..... YET because the Campus of Life lost my application. The VP Social told me that I would have to wait a week. I waited a whole week and went through the entire day awaiting for the call and then finally at 6pm. The President called me to let me know that I got in...but to my suprise I didnt say anything but thanks! I guess because I was tired of putting all my effort and all my worries into this one call.

I was told by several members that they were shocked that I didnt scream or jump up and down because they knew how much I wanted to be a Pi Phi. They almost thought that I didnt want them anymore!

I will always want Pi Phi in my life. My entire pledgeship was the most fun I have ever had. I met so many people that I love dearly... and most of all I will never forget my pledge trainer Brooke Wewers! She gave me the strength and inspiration that I needed to become the Pi Phi that I am.

Well I hope you have enjoyed my story of why I chose Pi Phi!
Thank you all!

(\ 0 /)
../_\

-Arkansas Beta-
Chapter Secretary
Marty Caldwell 563

I knew from the moment I met my sisters at their info night that I wanted to be a Pi Phi.

In all honesty, I didn't know anyting about Greek life and I went to the info night with many of the stereotypes about greek life in my head. I was wonderfully surprised when I walked in there that I didn't see any of the stereotypes. The sisters were such a diverse group of people. They were warm and friendly, and very welcoming. As soon as they had finsihed talking about Pi Phi, I knew it was what I wanted to be.

While Pi Beta Phi is the only sorority on my campus, I can't see myself not being a part of it. I wonder how I want through 2.5 years of university without them.

:D And of course, she was particularly impressed after meeting the dedicated alumnae ON Gamma has ! :D

I didn't know I was a Pi Phi until after I pledged. At that time, we still had Theta on campus, but I felt like I was rushed too hard. Unfortunately KAT went dormant the next semester due to low numbers, but I had already pledged Pi Phi by then.

It was the pledging ceremony that did it for me. Pledge education intensified it and by initiation, I was hooked! I loved my pledge class, even though we weren't close. We hadn't been around long enough to get the feel of tradition and unity within the pledge classes. But I met such wonderful girls though chapter and even though there were some I wouldn't have chosen as a friend per se, I was proud to call them all my sisters. I'm still proud to be an ON Gamma Pi Phi, even though I don't see my sorority friends a lot, and my closer friends from the chapter only at marriages.

Going into rush I didnt know much about Pi Phi other than that my bf's good friend's gf (haha) was one. We had hung out every once in a while that first semester. Well the first day at Pi Phi I met the best girls.. it was my best conversation all day. Still stands out (we talked about food-- and the good places that I went to eat while on winter break). I didnt get to talk to her that day though, but she waved at me.. still remember that.

First invites.. I had an ok time, still the day before stood out.. second invites.. i was sick so the whole night was miserable.. :p

third invites.. pi phi heaven night was the night that I knew I was a Pi Phi. I could have signed that bid card right then and there. Haha. Ashley (my now big sister-- my bf's friend's now fiance) was my special sister. We had the best conversation that night. I knew right then and there that this was the only place for me, that night was so special.

My Story
 

Originally I didn't even want to go greek, but one of my friends at the time somehow persuaded me to go for it. I went over to another sorority house for lunch one day, and I was not well received. I was given dirty looks and was made to feel like an outsider. At that point I almost didn't turn my formal recruitment application in!

By chance, that night Pi Phi was having their annual Snow Days event. This is where the girls go outside of our union steps and serve s'mores and hot chocolate. One of my friends in the dorm asked if I wanted to go and get some food so I tagged along. Once I got there I recognized some of my friends from class! I had no idea that they were Pi Phi's. (This was due to the fact that at the time she was a pledge and wasn't wearing letters or her badge.) I talked with some of the girls and left with some of their info.

Again by chance, the next day I had to run to one of my classes to turn in a take home exam. It was pouring down rain and was just miserable outside. I was walking out the door and held the door open for a girl named Amy. We struck up small talk about the weather, and she mentioned she had a long walk ahead of her. I asked where she lived, and she said Pi Phi! (Our house is one of the furthest houses away from the school.) I mentioned that I went to Snow Days and that some of my friends were in her house. She asked me to come back to the house for a tour, and I followed. I remember being very wary because I was afraid of being treated like the other sorority girls treated me. However, this was not the case! Amy's roommate tagged along with us, and she showed me around. I felt at ease as soon as I got there. There was a girl in the tv room eating supper, and she invited me to stay and didn't act like I was a stranger or anyone new. Everyone I met treated me very warmly, even the housemom! After that I was determined to be a Pi Phi.

Anyway, flashforward to formal recruitment. I was dead set on Pi Phi going in, but my first day of conversations wasn't the best. But I still hung in there because I knew that I had felt at home before. The second day really stands out to me. While talking with one of the girls I somehow mentioned that one of my friends from high school had recently died, and I told her the story of how my band director was furious at me for missing the trip because of her funeral. The sister was so sympathetic and concerned about me. It made such a wonderful impression that someone I didn't know could care that much! The next night at Pref also made a huge impact. I was preffed by my friends, and I remember tearing up during the ceremony. I knew it was meant to be. It has to be fate because my birthday is on April 28! You just can't beat that. :D

LOL oh yeah. Jess, why don't you tell your story? I'm sure I hooked you in when we talked about Victoria Secret and my scrapbook for my boyfriend. LOL!!!

(Yup, I rushed our little Jharb ;))

ern was an excellent rusher! :D Although we did talk about underwear and boys...*gasp*! I used to work at Vickies so we talked about that and about my love of scrapbooking and ern's non-existent scrapbook for her boyfriend! haha!

I had decided that I was going greek from spring of my Junior year of HS so I was dead set in going to a school with a strong greek system. I knew a few girls at Butler who were DGs and Phis from when I stayed the night back in February of my Senior year of HS. I first learned about Pi Phi on the second day of classes though. I was in Dinosaur Evolution class sitting next to this girl who I just instantly clicked with. She was a Sophomore who invited me to a formal dinner at her sorority house the next Tuesday night. I was so nervous, this was my first time really going over to one of the houses for something official! I remember I sat next to Stephanie Gibas and the current president of the house. Gibas ended up being my Grand-big! After dinner I went up to Kristen's (the girl from my Dinosaur class) room and ended up staying until around 11PM! From then on Kristen and I were always hanging out during class and towards the end of the semester I would go out with her and some of her sisters to parties and steak & shake.

I was coming back from the Student Goverment Association Christmas Party for the voting members and I stopped by Snow Daze and I realized I already knew a lot of the girls in the house. I stayed there for the whole time of the event just hanging out and goofing off with the girls. I ended up coming to dinner one last time before Winter Break and I was there again for hours on end. I felt like if I didn't get into Pi Phi my heart would break!

Fast forward to rush! On the first day of rush Pi Phi was the last house I went to and by that point I was exhausted! The girl I was paired with I had met her but we had never really talked before and she wanted me to go on the house tour. (this is where I become the rushee from HELL...haha) I declined the tour because I felt I could give the house tour as well as she could! I ended up getting to talk to some of the upperclass girls and meeting some that I didn't know before rush. After that first day my love of Pi Phi wavered a little, I had seen what the other houses had to offer and wasn't quite sure if Pi Phi was still the one for me. After the second day when I fell in love with the skit (and talked to Erniegurl00 :D) I realized that Pi Phi still was a wonderful place and where I felt super comfortable.

On Pref night I was paired with Kristen, the girl from my Dinosaur class, I realized how much I missed talking to her due to silence and that if there was even one other girl in the house as fun as she was then I'd be ok. (Little did I know that there were tons like her in the house! ;)) On the way out that night I burst into tears, Kristen and I stood there hugging and crying until the Rho Chi forced me out the door so they wouldn't get a rush violation. I ended up putting Pi Phi first on my pref card. Kristen is my big sis and we're going to be rooming together in the fall. Although I've had my ups and downs with Pi Phi I still love it and wouldn't trade my experience for anything. I also wouldn't have met girls as wonderful as Erniegurl00 and Kristen! :D

PPL&Mine,
Jess

I also wanted to add to jharb's story...

I realized after Pref Night that Jess had been posting her story on GC (yes, y'all can still see read it too!). I read through her whole entire story, and my heart jumped when I got to the point where she preffed Pi Phi first. I seriously ran up to Kristen's room to tell her the good news. Oh it was exciting!

The rest is history! Jess is my bestest friend, and I would have never met her if it wasn't for Pi Phi. Oh yeah. Jess, do you remember running into me that first time you came to the house? I think I was laying on Kristen's floor. LOL

PPL,
Erin

I knew I was a Pi Phi When...
 

I knew I wanted Pi Phi even before I knew any of the affiliated sisters. Going through rush I had a different kind of experience. Someone had recorded my grades wrong and it said I had a 2.1 GPA, when in fact I had a 3.5. Most of the houses dropped me b/c no one can really afford a grade risk and I was heartbroken. My Rho Chi (Recruitment Counselor) tried everything. She tried calling all of the houses and letting them know what happened but it was too late. By the time they found out what had happened, I was three days through Recruitment (it's a 5 day process at UCF) and I had become really close to my Rho Chi. She took me around with her for the latter part of the third day and I hung out with her and her friends who were also disaffiliated (either Rho Chis or Recruitment Exec.). It was then I met Ashley. Ashley was so awesome! She was so much fun and she really seemed to care about me, and she had just met me. Right before I signed my withdrawl papers, Ashley was like, "Hey give me your number...you're so cool, we have to hang out after rush!" Being new to everything, and a Freshman I was thrilled! Little did I know that Ashley was doing something "illegal" as far as rush went! ;) After I withdrew from Recruitment, I was allowed to know what sororities all of my friends that I had made were in. My Rho Chi had turned out to be an Alpha Xi and Ashley...she was a Pi Phi.

As Bid Day came, I sat in my room crying as all of my friends were off to see where they had gotten bids from. One of my Best Friends went Zeta, the other went Tri Delta...and I was at home. 7pm rolled around and all of the sudden my phone beeped saying I had 4 messages. My phone had NEVER rung! What a day for my phone to be broken! Hmph! Anyway, I checked the messages and they were from chapters that wanted me, telling me that they heard about my story and they had extra spots. The last message...was from Ashley. Needless to say, I called Pi Phi back. That's where I wanted to be!

As my pledgeship went on, I threw myself into Pi Phi and all it had to offer. I was PC01's Spirit Chair as well as "Pledge of the Year." What's more...Ashley is the reason I have my big sister! ;) You see, Ashley's little sister is now my big sister! Ashley's my Grand Big! I love her so much, she is honestly becoming more like a true sister every day. She has since graduated and become an alumna but she still comes back to visit me all of the time. I can honestly say that if it wasn't for Ash, I would never have found the happiness that I found in Pi Phi. It was her that made me want to be a Pi Phi. It was her that made me want to be involved. It was her that made me want to be a good Big Sister to my two twins. ;) I thank her all the time for everything she gave me and I hope that one day, I'll make that kind of difference for someone on the other side. ;)

And there you have it...that's how I knew I wanted Pi Phi. That's how I knew that the wine and blue was in me!

Corny...I know...but true! ;)

Pi Phi Love and All of Mine,
Min

What a wonderful story!