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It was house tours day. And I got it in my head that I was about to receive some heavy cuts. I had rec letters to every chapter, so maybe they were just keeping me for the required amount of time before they could drop me. (Something I knew from a sorority woman who helped me prepare for recruitment.) What if they didn't really love me as much as I thought? But when I didn't get the call from my recruitment counselor saying I had been dropped, I knew at least one house wanted to see me again. And even though I had an extremely open mind about recruitment, I was still worried that it would only be a "bottom" house that wanted me back. The thrill and validation I got when I was invited back to the "top" houses was unlike any compliment I had received before.
We could return to a maximum of 5 houses for house tours day. And I got 4/5!
Golden Delicious
Braeburn
Fuji
Ambrosia
But where the hell was Red Delicious?! There had to be some mistake. I KNEW they liked me. You can't fake that kind of laughter. We had such a fun time together. They couldn't have dropped me. Why would they?
But I looked at my schedule again and it looked okay. Those were all some of my favorites even from day 1.
A girl glanced over at my schedule and comforted me. She told me it would be okay, at least I still had 2 good houses on my schedule. I immediately got defensive and asked what she was talking about. She asked me why I would ever want to join Braeburn or Fuji, because those were obviously horrible chapters. I told her I had a good time at them and I wasn't disappointed whatsoever to see them on my schedule. But she told me that I would be better off joining Ambrosia or Golden Delicious. I told her I would make up my own mind. And I will never forget what she responded with- "Suit yourself. But don't come crying to me when you end up in the fat and weird house."
It still stung that Red Delicious had dropped me. But I had 4 amazing houses that liked me and I liked them. And that made it a little bit better.
I set off to go visit my 4 houses. The houses at my school are all so beautiful and unique so I was excited to finally get a tour of them.
The first was Golden Delicious. Their house was perfect. Exactly where I could see myself living. It was almost exactly how I would decorate my own house. And once again the girls were amazing. They were hilarious and down to earth and gorgeous. They really impressed me a lot and I had an amazing time. They kept telling me how much the other girls were talking about me and how they couldn't wait to meet me. They all even knew about the experience I had working with a philanthropy that was very similar to theirs. They seemed so impressed by me, and I was impressed by them. I had such a great time. They always left me wanting more.
Next was Braeburn. Throughout the week, I had been looking at this house as an opportunity to relax. I was never nervous before I went inside, because like I said on the first day, they weren't a house that I felt would be judging me. I never really got bored at Braeburn, but it just wasn't exciting. Their songs weren't as catchy and the girls weren't as smiley and peppy as the others. They didn't seem excited, so why should I? I was completely underwhelmed. Plus their house was old and kind of dark and dingy.
Fuji was the next house. Another house where I didn't feel like I needed to really impress them. But they were a little bit more fun and their physical house was much prettier. The girls were funny and down to earth and I was starting to really feel like home here. Something just clicked with these girls. It felt like I was surrounded by equals.
Lastly, I went to Ambrosia. After going to Braeburn and Fuji in a row, I was not looking forward to having to bring my A-game again. I could really relax in Braeburn and Fuji and I knew I couldn't in Ambrosia. I was so tired. I couldn't smile and laugh and sit up straight anymore. I just wanted to go home. But nonetheless, Ambrosia still dazzled me as usual. But I just wasn't sure if I could keep up with them anymore, let alone keep up with them for the next 4 years of my life.
The next day was preference, and we could return to a maximum of 2 houses. I came to a harsh realization that Ambrosia might not be the best fit for me. Yes they were gorgeous and ambitious and all around amazing- something I aspired to be, but I just didn't fit in with them. Being in their house, I felt like the awkward little sister who was just tagging along with the cool older girls. And that just wasn't a feeling I wanted to experience for the next 4 years.
But what about Golden Delicious, Braeburn and Fuji? My head was telling me to drop Braeburn but my heart was telling me to keep them. And unfortunately I went with my head.
1. Golden Delicious
2. Fuji
Bottom 2:
1. Braeburn
2. Ambrosia
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