questions a PNM should ask during rush

[ClassicBeauty]

Hey guys! So, techinically my rush is not for another 3 months, but, I would like to start making a mental note of good questions to ask sororities during rush so I dont like freeze up and have some awkward moments.

I'll start the list
"What is your philanthropy?"

PS I did many searches, but I couldn't find anything.

[twinkle555]

Originally Posted by ClassicBeauty

Hey guys! So, techinically my rush is not for another 3 months, but, I would like to start making a mental note of good questions to ask sororities during rush so I dont like freeze up and have some awkward moments.

I'll start the list
"What is your philanthropy?"

PS I did many searches, but I couldn't find anything.

Lemme start off by saying that you should be asking lots of questions!! Not much is worse than a shy questionless PNM. Be sure to inquire about the philanthropy, dues, activies, socials, formal, homecoming/greek week, that kind of stuff.

Also be interested in the sister you are speaking with. Get to know her, just like she is getting to know you. ask why she decided to join her sorority, and what she likes most about it. Ask if she holds any positions or if she lives in the house.There are a million things you could ask, but for you own sake, dont ask things that should be private or personal, or the 4 B's: boys, booze, bars, bible.

hope that helped!

[tinydancer16]

Asking whoever is rushing you why they decided to go through recruitment/what they were looking for and why they joined their particular organization is a great one. It's an excellent conversation starter and I know for me it helped me find the right place. Most of the girls at KD said many of the same things that I was feeling and looking for and it helped me to know that I had found the perfect chapter!

[AlexMack]

Not so much an answer to your question BUT...don't learn too much about the chapter or the organization before you go to a party. I had a friend who was also a sigma kappa at my school and she basically drilled me about the chapter so when I got to the party I had no questions and I felt dumb. I did explain to them why I already knew it all and I think that may have helped me get a bid, but yeah...leave yourself wide open.

I would ask about chapter traditions-those are always really neat. Ask about their philanthropy work, do they get together with other nearby chapters for anything, ask about finances, the time commitment (if you know you'll have to juggle your chapter with other activities), that kind of thing.

[cuteASAbug]

Originally Posted by centaur532

but yeah...leave yourself wide open

Trying very hard not to make an inappropriate comment right now.

[AlexMack]

Originally Posted by cuteASAbug

Trying very hard not to make an inappropriate comment right now.

Ha!

[elizey7]

Originally Posted by twinkle555

Lemme start off by saying that you should be asking lots of questions!! Not much is worse than a shy questionless PNM. Be sure to inquire about the philanthropy, dues, activies, socials, formal, homecoming/greek week, that kind of stuff.

Also be interested in the sister you are speaking with. Get to know her, just like she is getting to know you. ask why she decided to join her sorority, and what she likes most about it. Ask if she holds any positions or if she lives in the house.There are a million things you could ask, but for you own sake, dont ask things that should be private or personal, or the 4 B's: boys, booze, bars, bible.

hope that helped!

Is it okay if I ask a question that might be stepping over the line, such as:

Interviewer: Why did you want to join ABC sorority?

Me: I see a lot of potential for leadership opportunities in philanthropy and other areas.

Interviewer: Give an example of the other areas where you see leadership opportunities

Me: Well, when I rushed last year, I met a lot of girls who mentioned that they were Christian or Catholic, and as a member of Intervarsity (A christian group on campus), I was hoping that, if I have enough support, I could start a Bible study with the girls. I also see this as a potential opportunity to create an even tighter bond within the sisterhood

[AZTheta]

Originally Posted by elizey7

Is it okay if I ask a question that might be stepping over the line, such as:

Interviewer: Why did you want to join ABC sorority?

Me: I see a lot of potential for leadership opportunities in philanthropy and other areas.

Interviewer: Give an example of the other areas where you see leadership opportunities

Me: Well, when I rushed last year, I met a lot of girls who mentioned that they were Christian or Catholic, and as a member of Intervarsity (A christian group on campus), I was hoping that, if I have enough support, I could start a Bible study with the girls. I also see this as a potential opportunity to create an even tighter bond within the sisterhood

Holy bump of eight year old thread.

Why would you want to intentionally and knowingly respond or ask any questions that are stepping over any lines? Gah! Please get some coaching on how to converse. Your anxiety is coming across over the computer screen and I don't want you to be this way in person. There is such a thing as overthinking. You cannot anticipate every question and have a pre-fab response.

[carnation]

This is weird that they actually interview the PNMs.

[PenguinTrax]

What EVENTS do you organize to support your philanthropy
What opportunities are there for new members to server on committees
What does the chapter do to support new members as they get acclimated to the chapter
What do the sisters do when just hanging out at the house?
Are there any national scholarship programs?

[CutiePie2000]

I was also going to say, try not to ask questions such as "what do the letters mean?" or point to their crest and ask "what do those symbols mean?". That would be treading into ritual territory, and you don't want to put your hosts in an awkward position. Keep it light, breezy and the above advice is pretty good thus far.

[KSUViolet06]

In general, ask open-ended questions (i.e. questions that CANNOT be answered with a simple "yes" or "no"). This keeps the conversation going.

For example:

PNM: "Do you guys have socials?" Not open-ended.

Instead, ask something like: "What kinds of social events do you guys have?" This leads to more conversation about date parties, formals, retreats, etc.

[WVU alpha phi]

While I agree that it's important to make sure you get all your questions answered, you also want to be careful not to grill the sister rushing you. Firing off question after question might make it sound like you have some kind of mental checklist or something. Definitely be genuinely interested in the answer and discuss it a decent amount before you shoot off another question. However, when I rush girls, I ALWAYS ask them if they have any questions that weren't covered during that round/by other girls who've rushed her - especially if they seem shy and might be scared to ask - and I appreciate the girls who do ask questions because it really does make you sound interested in the house.

[SoCalGirl]

Are dues all inclusive? Will you be paying extra for formal, or for your date to go to formal?

[adpiucf]

Check out this thread. I compiled a list of questions based on feedback from PNMs and sorority members.