I've gone through 2 formal recruitments at my small school, once as a PNM and as a Sister...but even with a small school and chapter I think I've got some advice...
Go into Recruitment with an open minds BUT, if you're not at a house you like, at least TRY to look interested. PARTICIPATE. TALK TO SISTERS. SMILE. Don't stay with your friends in the PNM group or bolt from a Sister if you see another PNM you know just to stand around and talk. Behavior like that just decreases your chances of getting asked back and in the long run it's better to be safe than sorry. You never know how things might work out. That house you thought was a guarantee might not extend you a bid and you could have alienated the other houses with your negative behavior. I know a guy who had this happen to him. He made it know he only wanted one particular house and then ended up with no bids. He waited again to the next year and got in another house. It's a rare occurance so don't let it happen to you.
Go With You Gut: While going through informal rush, another PNM and I found ourselves in the middle of a room with no one talking to us. Not the house for us I'd say. Things like this shouldn't happen at formal rush but still be on your toes about this kind of stuff. Sisters as well as PNM's should ALWAYS be polite.
And to end on a good note...
Ask your self: How do you feel when you walk in the front door? What feeling did you leave with? Did it uplift you? Were you having fun and actually relaxing when you thought you'd be all nerbous? GOOD! I was comfortable, entered & exited the house as sisters were singing, was included in conversation and nothing felt fake. It felt like all I had thought a sorority was going to be. Ask yourself what you think a sorority is about and then see which house makes you feel the most similar to those thought.
Best of Luck!!
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~to be true to ourselves, to those within and without our circle ~
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