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Thursday evening was preference at Vermont. I knew from what Katie had told me that it would be more ceremonial and special. There were luminaries outside lining the walk when all of the rushees arrived. We were invited in one at a time. There was a lovely ceremony after dessert and I knew that I could be very happy there. Every time I had been in the house during the week it felt like home. I saw that I could be myself and that there would be opportunities for growth, friendship and leadership for me. It would give me a wonderful home away from home while going to college. I wanted to be a Vermont.
The Vermont member who preferenced me definitely crossed the line, although I did not realize it at the time. Preference for Mackinac was not until the next night and the Vermont active told me that I didn’t have to attend the other preference party if I thought I had found my home at Vermont. However, to not follow through and attend Mackinac’s preference party was not something I would even consider. But when I left Vermont, I had basically been assured that I would receive a bid (something I didn’t know at the time was also wrong). I was so excited about becoming a Vermont as I stood outside listening to the beautiful parting song.
The next evening was preference at Mackinac. Katie preferenced me, showing me her scrapbooks and difference Mackinac items. There was a lovely ceremony, but the entire time I was there I knew in my heart of hearts that if Vermont offered me a bid I would take it. I wanted so much to prefer Katie’s sorority after all she had done for me to help me with rush, but my heart was at Vermont the entire time. It was so hard to be at Mackinac and feel that way.
Bids were to go out and the panhel brochure encouraged us to not accept a bid until we received all of them once rush was over. Because preference was held on two different nights, it was feasible that chapters who had their preference the second night could be at a disadvantage.
I was so excited to finally be at the end of the week. I was sure that I would get a bid from both places. I was confident I would get a bid from Katie’s house (Mackinac) and the active at Vermont had all but promised me a bid.
Two women from Mackinac came to my home to deliver my bid. (Remember, I lived at home about fifteen minutes from campus). I was thankful to receive it, but I knew that I wanted to be a Vermont. I waited all day. No one came with a bid from Vermont.
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