SEC rush Help!
 

I will be a freshman this year at Mississippi State and I am planning to go through rush. I am from out of state and unfamiliar with the Greek community at Miss State. What should I expect? Any advice? Please help.

Does rush start tomorrow?

It starts Tuesday. This was a bit of a last minute decision. I signed up when I moved to campus.

Uh, so I take it you don't have recs?

Miss St. isn't Ole Miss, but its definitely competitive.

My mom called some of her friends that were in sororities I think. When you say "definitely competitive" what do you mean? Sorry for my ignorance. I am completely new to all of this.

It isn't too late to get recs...just do it right away if you can! If the houses like you, many of them will hold on to you at least through the first round without recs...see if you can round up anyone (does not need to be a Miss State alumna) to write you a rec and fax/FedEx it to campus ASAP...alumnae should be able to download forms from their organization's website and fax or FedEx them immediately, in addition to contacting the chapter's recruitment chair BY PHONE ASAP to alert them that the rec is coming. Get your female relatives to start calling neighbors, friends, etc. to get the ball rolling. Good luck!

I would definitely recommend that you attempt to get some last-minute recommendations if possible.

I think you should definitely give formal recruitment your all, but in case things were not to work out for whatever reason, there is also a new chapter of Pi Beta Phi colonizing at Mississippi State this year. They will be conducting their colonization process after formal recruitment has ended. Here is some info about that.

http://www.pibetaphi.org/pibetaphi/msstate/

bets are on a Mod Sock Puppet

Not to be too nosy or preachy, but you did say this is all new to you...have you run your rush outfits by anyone? Or have you checked out what other girls are wearing? You don't need anything expensive or elaborate, but you should make sure you are wearing the same types of clothes as the other girls...example, if the rush book says "casual" but the other girls are wearing "casual" sundresses, then don't wear shorts! Not to give you last minute jitters, but I find this is a common mistake that is easily fixed!

Actually no. I'm not. I am from out of state and had no idea about sorority recruitment until I moved in and heard the other girls talking about going through. It was then I decided to give it a try because at least I would be getting out and meeting people. I really am nervous about this process, and I sincerely appreciate all advice.

Also...
1) Get some sleep, eat and hydrate properly!
2) It is fine to say that this is a new experience for you (it is for everyone going through rush, even if they are more familiar with the process), but I would be careful not to act too clueless...the members may take that as a sign that you don't know what you are getting into and might be more inclined to drop out during your New Member Period.
3) As I said before, take your clothing/hair/make-up cues from in-state girls living on your hall.
4) You are both at an advantage and a disadvantage coming from out-of-state. Play up the advantages...other girls will be bringing baggage from their high schools, but as far as anyone knows, you were the Queen Bee at your high school! No one holds a grudge against you, no one has any dirt on you, and you aren't pressured to join any particular organization just because the "cool girls" from your hometown joined it. Neither are you hindered by silly stereotypes...you can make up your mind freely!
5) Be VERY positive in your conversations. Not fake, not gushing, just positive, excited to be there and to meet so many new and interesting people, excited about the opportunities that lie ahead as a member of a sorority. Take a few minutes before rush starts to think about some things that make you an interesting person. Take some time to think about things you really like that might make good small talk. Don't rehearse conversations, but getting a little more in tune with who you are and the image you project (again, not fake but clear) never hurt anyone.

GOOD LUCK! Keep us updated!

Just looked at MSU recruitment guidelines...yes, what to wear could be a little more nuanced than you think! So you have a required t-shirt for Round One...you are supposed to wear shorts with that and maybe some tennis shoes, they suggest. See if the other girls on your hall are wearing tennis shoes, sandals, or flip flops, whether they are wearing the shirts tucked in with belts (the shirts might end up being very large), and what sort of jewelry they are wearing also...all these details are silly but may matter. Same thing for philanthropy round...yes, you'll be sitting on the floor so they say "go casual and comfortable," but make sure you fit in with the other girls! Everyone in your rush group will be nervous and probably will be happy to talk about what they're wearing to different rounds. AND we hope you do really well and get invited back to every house, but if you don't for some reason, don't get discouraged...as long as you have any invites, keep going through rush! Don't drop out! I say this because I went through rush as an out-of-stater at a state school, and sometimes you just get cut because you are an unknown quantity...but KEEP GOING until the bitter end.

I didn't go through Miss State Recruitment, but growing up in the Deep South has taught me a few things:

1.) No matter how nervous you are, get enough sleep! Circles under your eyes will show through your makeup (especially once it melts off in the heat).
2.) I'm not an expert, but I'd suggest you take the clothing recommendations up a half-notch to a full notch. If it suggests shorts, go for a skirt (denim or khaki) that hits between fingertip length and just above the knee. Each day, go a bit more formal.
3.) Heels, heels, heels, heels. Wear flip-flops or sneakers while you roam around to each party, but outside, change into your heels and leave the casual shoes outside. Trust me, the other girls will be doing the same thing.
4.) Don't go completely "naked" jewelry-wise. A nice but simple pair of stud earrings--in the traditional place, not your eyebrows and a nice necklace or bracelet. Skip the watch, though; you'll just have to take it off. If you have them, pearls are the quintessential Southern accessory--but, only if they're real. And, no, I'm not suggesting you go buy some.
5.) Do you wear makeup? I really suggest that you do, but, being from out-of-state, you might want to take your cues from your dorm-mates. Makeup melts in our humidity and extreme heat. Go for the natural look, you don't want to look like you're going clubbing.
6.) If you can afford it and have the time, get a manicure and (if applicable with your shoes) a pedicure.
7.) Smile!
8.) BE YOURSELF!!!!!!!!!
9.) The number 1 mistake PNMs make is setting their hearts on one, two, or even three Sororities and refusing to consider any others. Do not do this. Give everyone a fair shot, you never know where your home might be!
10.) Prepare yourself for the questions. It's Southern recruitment. You could get everything from "what's your Daddy do?" to bizarre ones about wherever you are from. Believe me, the girls who ask these questions aren't trying to be mean (or exude their ignorance), they are just as nervous as you are and are simply trying to get to know you. If something they ask is really bizarre, be polite and try to be yourself and honest.
Addendum: Get those rec's ASAP. I didn't go to a school that needed them, but I've heard you need them for your school.

greyhoundrescue gives good advice, and I wanted to add a couple of things:

"2.) I'm not an expert, but I'd suggest you take the clothing recommendations up a half-notch to a full notch. If it suggests shorts, go for a skirt (denim or khaki) that hits between fingertip length and just above the knee. Each day, go a bit more formal.
3.) Heels, heels, heels, heels. Wear flip-flops or sneakers while you roam around to each party, but outside, change into your heels and leave the casual shoes outside. Trust me, the other girls will be doing the same thing."

For both of these, she's probably right, but DO CHECK to see what your in-state hallmates are doing...I'd probably compromise on some sandals with low heels...and if you wear a skirt to the earlier parties where you may be sitting on the floor, PLEASE road test the skirt to make sure you can get up, down, and sit on the floor in it without flashing anyone or looking totally awkward! Back to the shoes thing...take some bandaids with you in your bag in case of blisters (although best to wear shoes that don't give you blisters)...I also find that using Body Glide (the stuff runners wear) on your feet helps with sandal rub.

And she's totally right about the makeup...makeup will crack and run and look awful soon enough in the humidity...in Deep South heat I take a matte powder that doubles as a foundation and some facial wipes and reapply makeup as needed...you can touch up between houses this way without making a mess (just be sure you wipe off previous applications with those wipes before reapplying...or you'll be an orangey mess!). Waterproof mascara too...and go easy on the blush, lipstick, and eye makeup...I'd just wear a light dusting of powder, lip gloss, eyeliner (blended), and a light application of mascara.

Make sure you aren't wearing any clothes that will show "glistening" (aka sweat stains...baby powder can help with this), and brush your hair between each round. If your hair tends to get limp or stringy or frizzy in humidity, put it back in a ponytail.

All this advice may sound silly and intrusive, but sisters know how hard rush is and will be impressed when you glide into the house looking cool, polished, and together!