[EE-BO]

I am glad you got the chapter you always wanted- things worked out well for you (perhaps better than you realize given how these stories about trying again often go.)

But let me please also chime in with some thoughts for the benefit of PNMs who read this. I am especially keen to speak because you are addressing your message to those who drop out of recruitment voluntarily versus those who are dropped.

As you yourself said, you were extended COBs in the spring. You actually went through some form of rush 3 times. And then in the end you got the house you really wanted. That is rare. At least at the COB houses you were surely a very well-known entity going into fall rush- someone who had been there twice before and did not take a bid. Opinions vary, but I think it is better to rush for the first time as a sophomore than be the girl who turned down bids, or chances at bids, twice. It varies by situation of course, but I am just talking general odds for the benefit of those who may choose to take this gamble.

Consider yourself extremely fortunate. And, not knowing your chapter or being an expert on FSU, if this story played out in a very competitive recruitment environment and if guitar was a "highly sought" house- you have beaten odds 1,000s never could. At many schools, Texas and Georgia included where I have specific direct experience, your story- for all practical purposes- does not happen. And on this site, there is a lot of focus on these more competitive schools since so much guidance and planning are required.

If a PNM decides to drop out of rush and keep on rushing in the hopes of getting "that certain house" (which is the subtext of your stories whether you intend it or not), that person is playing a very dangerous game and, often times, making judgments about where they "belong" based on preconceived notions about where they should be- notions that arise either before rush when one is not savvy to the Greek environment or during rush which is an incredibly stressful time and every single conversation or 30 second experience can appear to have epic, life-altering effects.

What happened worked for you, and for those who are not successful in their first recruitment it is good for them to see a story such as yours.

But as someone already said, the best advice you can give should be more focused on what you did the second time around to get a better outcome. As the thread reads, it looks like you had the same approach both times in formal rush, and the stars somehow aligned for you at your third time at bat.

Would you consider posting more about the specifics of how you were better prepared this time? This is a rare story, but a good one. I think you could make it most valuable by focusing on how you specifically grew in the process versus talking the numbers of invites each round etc. That is the information that will help future PNMs who find themselves without options. For those who do have options, I must confess that in the vast majority of cases taking your path is not likely to work out nearly as well as it did for you.