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So I arrived on Day 3, which at Stanford is Philanthropy Night. Usually the each chapter makes a video about their philanthropy and the rushees do some sort of craft related to their philanthropy. I was going to Burbank, Serra, and Donner.
1) Serra: At Serra, I was actually double rushed. The girl I was paired with had a REALLY strong connection with Serra's philanthropy and was really talented crafts-wise, so the entire time I was super nervous she was outshining me. I did really like the girls I talked to. They talked about the benefits of being unhoused and the cool things they had done with their sisters. Serra was starting to grow on me despite the fact that they were unhoused.
2) Burbank: Next I had Burbank, the chapter I had been set on from the beginning, so of course, I was excited to go and learn about their philanthropy. The girls were really sweet (per usual), and they all remarked that they had heard a lot of great things about me at the house. In fact, at one point, I had three girls talking to me (at the time I was flattered, but now I know that this is another rush infraction). I had a great time. The only thing was, we were sitting on the floor, and when we got up to leave, my leg had fallen asleep! Luckily, the active I was paired with was really nice about it. We had a good laugh, and she helped me make it out of the room.
3) Donner: I got to Donner last. Burbank and Donner's rooms were really far from each other and in a twist of fate, it was actually raining!! (Keep in mind that this was in April in California). We were all wearing sundresses (as recommended by ISC), and I was wearing heeled sandals. Getting in between houses was a mess. Once I got there, everything was going great. I enjoyed talking to all of the women until the end. The last girl I was talking to was telling me a funny story (which I enjoyed) until it ended with her and some sisters smoking weed in the storage facility of their house! I was really shocked that she would mention that, being that it was rush and all. I am not a smoker (at all), but I am also not judge-y about what people like to do in their spare time. Still, I thought it showed a huge lapse in judgement that she would think that was a rush appropriate story.
I had a really hard time ranking. I knew I was going to keep Burbank who had been my long-standing favorite, but I was struggling about whether I wanted to rank Serra or Donner last. The last Donner party (lol) I had gone to confirmed my suspicion that they were a little to wild for my taste. On the other hand, they were housed and my best friend was SET on becoming a Donner.
In the end, I ranked Serra last.
I arrived to Pref Night, super excited about almost being done with rush and a part of a new sisterhood. I went to my Rho Gamma table and picked up my schedule for the night. I shocked to find out that I only had been invited back to Serra's party. I was absolutely devastated. I didn't especially care about losing Donner, but I had gone through the entire rush process assuming I was going to be a Burbank. I kept tracing back over the nights, trying to figure out where I went wrong, and how this could have happened. My friends in Burbank had spent an entire quarter telling me how I would make an amazing Burbank! I almost didn't pull it together in time to go to my party.
1) Serra: Frankly I don't remember the ceremony that well, because I was still so upset about Burbank. I tried my very best to be cheerful and engaged, but when I wasn't talking to an active, I kinda tuned out the ceremony. I left Serra really unsure what to do.
I must admit, our Rho Gamma's that year really weren't that great, and I didn't really feel comfortable with them (I don't think I ever really even knew their names b/c I missed the Info night in which we were assigned to our groups b/c I had a class at that time). I ended up signing my bid card on a whim, and went back to my dorm.
My best friend got back from an amazing night at Donner, and I was still crushed. I cried for a bit, and wasn't even sure if I would accept a bid if I got one from Serra. Luckily, I had very wise and supportive friends. They let me stew that night, but in the morning (before bid day started) they came to my room and really advocated for giving Serra a try. They talked about how I really had liked them all along, but never had given them a fair chance because of the housing factor. Plus, they reminded me that since I signed my bid card, I would have to wait a year to be a part of the Greek system if I turned my bid down. (I assumed I had gotten one since my Rho Gamma hadn't called me). They encouraged me to give it a shot and reminded me if I really didn't click with the girls I could de-pledge. Plus, they added that since essentially everyone in our dorm had rushed, I would constantly be seeing my friends go out to Greek events, and the way not to be left out would be to accept my bid.
I ended up accepting my bid to Serra which is, of course
CHI OMEGA!!!
Epilogue:
The first couple of weeks were difficult and kinda awkward for me (everyone was so excited to be a Chi O, and I was still nursing my wounds from the Burbank fiasco). However, it did help that when I looked at the girls who went Burbank my year, they were not girls that I particularly liked or got along with. This helped me know that I probably would not have been particularly happy as a Burbank.
Once the first weeks passed, I really started to enjoy Chi O. I met my big, who I maintain is one of the best people I know, and started really bonding with my pledge class. I made it a point to go to every event I possibly could and really get to know the girls. I ended up "drawing" (aka choosing to live with) some of my Chi O sisters. Since then, I have served on Chi O executive board, gone on (multiple) vacations with my sisters, and have laughed and cried with them. They are honestly some of the most fantastic people that I have ever met, and I can truly say that if I was a little bit more like each one of my sisters, I would be a better person, in general.
So, in summary, if you are thinking about rushing or are rushing and end up being in my situation, I really do recommend giving it an honest shot. Not a "I-will-go-to-one-event-a-month-and-brood-in-my-room shot," but an honest to goodness shot. You will never get to know your sisters, never the less, get to like them if you don't put yourself out there and give them a chance. You may never know, it could be the best decision of your college career. It was for me!
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