General Conversation advise for 2011 PNM

[WhatstheRUSH]

Hello Everyone. I have a D17 who is anticipating going through rush at which ever school she ends up. She has applied to schools with strong and mostly competitive programs. Being in a Sorority is very important to her (I am Greek and so are her cousins) and I know rush is very, very different today than it was when I rushed 28 years ago at UGA. The one school she is leaning toward (our State U) seems to have a pretty cut throat process (information straight from GC) and she is prepared for that reality. She has excellent grades, great ECs and lots of community service. Recommendations should not be too difficult to come by because her High School has an organizaiton of women (moms) who will gather all PNMs in the spring and have rush survival parties and will do what they can to get letters for girls that are looking for them. Of course we have alum in our fold also, although at preferred State U, my sorority is not represented.

The one thing that make my D very nervous is the art of conversation. She is an amazing conversationalist as long as she knows you or does not feel pressure to be "on show". She does get nervous in environments such as rush type events. (not that she has experienced anything like rush...but strangers getting to know you kind of stuff) Does anyone have any advise for what she can do make it easier and not so stressful in this respect? It's not as if she needs "finishing" school, but Rush 101 would be nice...lol.

She has read here and has absorbed many of the tips of what not to talk about etc, and I feel the advise has been very valuable. Thank you to each of you that provide that infomation.