How Scary is Rushing, Really.
 

I really want to be a part of a sisterhood but i am nerveous about the process, it always seemed so daunting. How scary is it, really to rush? and also does anybody have any specific advice to the University of Washington? That is most likely where i will be going to college. Any information regarding rushing and other advice i would appreciate it!

Recruitment is not scary, although it might be stressful. It is a necessary evil to the world of sorority life.

I would use Advanced Search on google and search this site (greekchat.com) for the words Rush or Recruitment AND Washington. Keep in mind this will pull up Wash. DC stuff, too, but it is a start.

ETA: I decided to make it easier... here is the search I'm suggesting (just click it): http://www.google.com/search?as_q=wa...s=&safe=images

I'm not sure we would call is "scary," but it is very definitely a new experience for college women. Most high schools have nothing like it - even trying out for a sports team or school play pales in comparison. Like most new things, do your homework and prepare by researching the U of W Greek system online, look up websites for the Sororities that are on your campus, etc.

That said, I hope someone with experience with U of Wash or other similar greek systems will chime in with specific details. If you have read very far on GC, recruitment varies from campus to campus, and it pays to know what your getting into.

I suppose it could be a little scary if you're really super shy but even then it's not that bad. I was very shy when I went though but it all worked out. :)

Like others have said, get informed. Learn a bit about the sororities on your campus and take a look at the Recruitment stories here on GreekChat.

The process really just comes down to being yourself, talking to girls and getting to know them. Not bad at all. You can do it! You might even find that it can be fun. :D

Good luck!

you are so caught up in the pomp of recruitment, what with the songs, the displays and meeting all the new people(not just the sorority members, but other potential new members, too) that you really don't have time to be scared.

it can be stressful when the parties and the meetings are over for the day and you are back in your room trying to wined down and go to sleep, and especially when you wake up the next day and go to get your invitations for the next set of parties. but then you get those invitations and get caught up in the whirlwind again.

good luck to you and please come back in the fall and let us know how it all went.

Just a thought: sorority women in the Bellevue Washington area are having an information forum SOON. If this is the area where you live, attending it might help. They might have other information available, too, so you may want to check the links on their web site:

http://www.overlakealumnaepanhellenic.org/

I was scared during the first party, just because I had no idea what to expect. But once you're talking to girls and everything, it's really pretty fun :)

recruitment is not scary! its fun. remember, you are going through this process to meet your best friends for life.

whatever will be will be. just go into it with an open mind.

UW Recruitment
 

Recruitment at UW is pretty intense (about 600 PNMs), seeing how they have 16 chapters. However, it is not as "scary" as say, the SEC or Texas. The Greek system there is very strong, so you really can't go "wrong" with participating in recruitment. I would suggest checking out the Panhellenic website for chapter profiles: http://www.uwpanhellenic.com/

In addition, UW does have a Greek Weekend April 18-19 where any woman can come to the university, stay in a chapter house and participate in a "mini-recruitment" where you visit 5 different chapters and get a sense of what recruitment week will be like. This is very beneficial since you have an idea of what to expect going into the recruitment week. Women going through recruitment come to school 2 weeks before classes start to participate in recruitment and then move into their house (if they get a bid) on Bid Day.

The Panhellenic also does a great job describing the different rounds here: http://www.uwpanhellenic.com/join-chapter.html. However, the dates have not been changed to 2008.