A very "Rockin'" recruitment story

[TheRockerEagle]

Hello there folks. I'm pretty much new to GreekChat having joined a few days ago. I just wanted to tell you all about my recruitment story since I may need some advice. I will be doing formal recruitment for a second time in the upcoming Fall semester. I went through formal recruitment for the first time, three years ago as a freshman. I'm going to be considered a junior, however, I'm technically a senior, for this second time I'll be going in. At the time of the first recruitment, there were 4 sororities at my school. My school is a small public university in Florida. However, I will let you figure it out on your own if you want. They added a 5th sorority the year after I went through formal recruitment which I actually interviewed for, but I never got a bid from them since I never made it to the recruitment events that they had. I'm going to give the sororities code names of classic rock bands.

Pink Floyd
Led Zeppelin
Aerosmith
Queen

The 5th sorority they added, I'll call: Van Halen

I will say that I was definitely one of those people who was hellbent on getting into one sorority. However, I have since seen the light, and I will definitely try to be open-minded next time. I would've gone through formal recruitment for a second time sooner, but I was having some financial issues in my sophomore year, and I had a really bad injury in my junior year that kept me from doing it. I also didn't really realize that being in a sorority was more about the connection I made with the actives, than the philanthropy or something else.

So, now I'll talk about my recruitment story.

The first night of recruitment was mainly orientation, and getting to know the Rho Gammas (They call them that at my school). There were at least 350+ women who were at this orientation. I got to meet all of the women in my Rho Gamma group, and then got to go home (which was another debacle in my case). We played a little icebreaker game just to get to know each other. I was extremely shy at the time, so I really didn't talk to my group that much. I did like my Rho Gamma though.

The day after orientation was Ice Water night, and we got to visit all four sororities. The first one I visited was Queen. This sorority was the one I was actually hell bent on getting into. The girl who picked me up was nice, and asked me the generic "What's your major?", "Why do you want to be in a sorority?" questions. I know that I did speak with other women, I just can't remember everything. I do know that we had a 15 minute party though.

I went to Led Zeppelin's party next. After that I went to Aerosmith, and then the last party was with Pink Floyd. I remember connecting pretty well with the girls in Led Zeppelin who rushed me. When I went to Aerosmith's party, I was greeted by some very attractive women, but I feel like I didn't connect with them even though they were really nice. Pink Floyd's party was my least favorite. I encountered a few nice girls, but one woman I did encounter was obnoxious.

The next two days were Philanthropy, and I believe we went to 2 sororities on each day. This was a vital one for me since I was very involved in Queen's philanthropy throughout my childhood and teens. I basically just remember going on and on about their philanthropy when I went to their party. There was also one active from that sorority that just did not seem interested in me. When I went to Led Zeppelin's party, I did connect with their philanthropy in a way, since I know of someone personally who benefitted from their philanthropy. The women who spoke with me were really nice as well. Aerosmith's and Pink Floyd's parties were nothing special to me as the women were nice, but I didn't really connect with the philanthropies. After the second day of Philanthropy, I went to rank with my Rho Gamma group. I could go back to up to three sororities, and this is how I ranked them:

Queen
Aerosmith (I have no clue why I did that)
Led Zeppelin
-------------
Pink Floyd

The next day which was Sisterhood a.k.a Skit night, was the day that I remember the most clearly. I got the call from my Rho Gamma that I had been invited back, so I was pretty excited. That all changed when I got my schedule though.

I was only invited back to Led Zeppelin. Queen, Aerosmith, and even Pink Floyd did not invite me back. I wasn't so heartbroken about Pink Floyd, but I was definitely heartbroken about not being invited back to Queen. I ended up breaking down in front of my Rho Gamma, but I stayed for Led Zeppelin's party. I was in such a bad mood going into the party, I feel I pretty much ruined my chances of being invited back for Preference Night. I know this because I remember telling an active that I was upset about not getting into my first choice. They did a really good skit though. Well, after I went to that party, I ended up going home and received a call from my Rho Gamma that I did not get invited back for Preference night.

This is where my formal recruitment story ends. I'm hoping that I'll have a better chance this year even though I'm now an upperclassmen. I wasn't even thinking about COB since I really didn't know about it. I could've had a chance this past Spring since two of them actually did COB, but I didn't know about it. I feel that if I get in, that'll be great, but if I don't, that's ok too. As far as Van Halen goes, I'll see them at formal recruitment this year, but I did have some very stupid reasons as to why I didn't seem as interested in them after I went through the interview. I'll keep you all updated when my formal recruitment starts for this year, since I'll definitely be able to give you more details than I did for this story.

[FSUZeta]

It sounds like you have analyzed your recruitment and discovered where improvements might be made as regards your interaction with the sorority members during the parties. When we on GC tell PNMs to keep their options open it is not only because preconceived notions often don't match up with reality, but also because one cannot predict which groups will appear on next round's invitation lists. Those PNMs who are adaptable and make the best of the chapters they are returning to, give themselves the best shot of receiving a bid. We also always advise PNMs to be interested and gracious at ALL their parties. That's just good manners.

[DubaiSis]

I also applaud your newly opened mind, but I want to caution you that rushing as a junior/senior can be pretty harsh. You may be cut very heavily. There's nothing you can do about that so just go in with the most positive attitude possible. It sounds like you're ready to roll with what happens to you so that's good.

[MaryPoppins]

Originally Posted by FSUZeta

It sounds like you have analyzed your recruitment and discovered where improvements might be made as regards your interaction with the sorority members during the parties. When we on GC tell PNMs to keep their options open it is not only because preconceived notions often don't match up with reality, but also because one cannot predict which groups will appear on next round's invitation lists. Those PNMs who are adaptable and make the best of the chapters they are returning to, give themselves the best shot of receiving a bid. We also always advise PNMs to be interested and gracious at ALL their parties. That's just good manners.

Ooh, this should be on the inside cover of every Greek Life Sorority recruitment brochure! I'm borrowing for the OM thread!

[ree-Xi]

Originally Posted by TheRockerEagle

Hello there folks. I'm pretty much new to GreekChat having joined a few days ago. I just wanted to tell you all about my recruitment story since I may need some advice. I will be doing formal recruitment for a second time in the upcoming Fall semester. I went through formal recruitment for the first time, three years ago as a freshman. I'm going to be considered a junior, however, I'm technically a senior, for this second time I'll be going in. At the time of the first recruitment, there were 4 sororities at my school. My school is a small public university in Florida. However, I will let you figure it out on your own if you want. They added a 5th sorority the year after I went through formal recruitment which I actually interviewed for, but I never got a bid from them since I never made it to the recruitment events that they had. I'm going to give the sororities code names of classic rock bands.

Pink Floyd
Led Zeppelin
Aerosmith
Queen

The 5th sorority they added, I'll call: Van Halen

I will say that I was definitely one of those people who was hellbent on getting into one sorority. However, I have since seen the light, and I will definitely try to be open-minded next time. I would've gone through formal recruitment for a second time sooner, but I was having some financial issues in my sophomore year, and I had a really bad injury in my junior year that kept me from doing it. I also didn't really realize that being in a sorority more about the connection I made with the actives, than the philanthropy or something else.

So, now I'll talk about my recruitment story.

The first night of recruitment was mainly orientation, and getting to know the Rho Gammas (They call them that at my school). There were at least 2-300 women who were at this orientation. I got to meet all of the women in my Rho Gamma group, and then got to go home (which was another debacle in my case). We played a little icebreaker game just to get to know each other. I was extremely shy at the time, so I really didn't talk to my group that much. I did like my Rho Gamma though.

The day after orientation was Ice Water night, and we got to visit all four sororities. The first one I visited was Queen. This sorority was the one I was actually hell bent on getting in. The girl who picked me up was nice, and asked me the generic "What's your major?", "Why do you want to be in a sorority?" questions. I know that I did speak with other women, I just can't remember everything. I do know that we had a 15 minute party though.

I went to Led Zeppelin's party next. After that I went to Aerosmith, and then the last party was with Pink Floyd. I remember connecting pretty well with the girls in Led Zeppelin who rushed me. When I went to Aerosmith's party, I was greeted by some very attractive women, but I feel like I didn't connect with them even though they were really nice. Pink Floyd's party was my least favorite. I encountered a few nice girls, but the few I did encounter were obnoxious.

The next two days were Philanthropy, and I believe we went to 2 sororities on each day. This was a vital one for me since I was very involved in Queen's philanthropy throughout my childhood and teens. I basically just remember going on and on about their philanthropy when I went to their party. There was also one active from that sorority that just did not seem interested in me. When I went to Led Zeppelin's party, I did connect with their philanthropy in a way, since I know of someone personally who benefitted from their philanthropy. The women who spoke with me were really nice as well. Aerosmith's and Pink Floyd's parties were nothing special to me as the women were nice, but I didn't really connect with the philanthropies. After the second day of Philanthropy, I went to rank with my Rho Gamma group. I could go back to up to three sororities, and this is how I ranked them:

Queen
Aerosmith (I have no clue why I did that)
Led Zeppelin
-------------
Pink Floyd

The next day which was Sisterhood a.k.a Skit night, was the day that I remember the most clearly. I got the call from my Rho Gamma that I had been invited back, so I was pretty excited. That all changed when I got my schedule though.

I was only invited back to Led Zeppelin. Queen, Aerosmith, and even Pink Floyd did not invite me back. I wasn't so heartbroken about Pink Floyd, but I was definitely heartbroken about not being invited back to Queen. I ended up breaking down in front of my Rho Gamma, but I stayed for Led Zeppelin's party. I was in such a bad mood going into the party, I feel I pretty much ruined my chances of being invited back for Preference Night. I know this because I remember telling an active that I was upset about not getting into my first choice. They did a really good skit though. Well, after I went to that party, I ended up going home and received a call from my Rho Gamma that I did not get invited back for Preference night.

This is where my formal recruitment story ends. I'm hoping that I'll have a better chance this year even though I'm now an upperclassmen. I wasn't even thinking about COB since I really didn't know about it. I could've had a chance this past Spring since one of them actually did COB, but I didn't know about it. I feel that if I get in, that'll be great, but if I don't, that's ok too. As far as Van Halen goes, I'll see them at formal recruitment this year, but I did have some very stupid reasons as to why I didn't seem as interested in them after I went through the interview. I'll keep you all updated when my formal recruitment starts for this year, since I'll definitely be able to give you more details than I did for this story.

The fact that you complained about rejection from one group to an active member of the party who did invite you back, in addition to interviewing but not attending recruitment events for the new sorority, really makes you seem like you don't care enough. People might wonder why you're bothering to attempt it again, since you didn't appear (based on your post) to open your eyes to the opportunities offered to you.

What makes you appealing as a potential sister, and is it more appealing than what others going through recruitment might be able to offer? Don't answer that here - it's a question for you to consider.

[TheRockerEagle]

Hi there GCers,

I'm pretty hyped for recruitment, and I really wish it would come faster. One month from now I'll be moving back into my dorm, and then going to the Recruitment orientation. I've been on GC practically every day, looking at recruitment stories, and other threads. I'm kind of unsure about posting my story for this year's recruitment since my school has already been outed. However, I'll see what I'll do a month from now. I'll probably end up posting it anyway.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by TheRockerEagle

Hi there GCers,

I'm pretty hyped for recruitment, and I really wish it would come faster. One month from now I'll be moving back into my dorm, and then going to the Recruitment orientation. I've been on GC practically every day, looking at recruitment stories, and other threads. I'm kind of unsure about posting my story for this year's recruitment since my school has already been outed. However, I'll see what I'll do a month from now. I'll probably end up posting it anyway.

If you do end up posting your story, I would recommend that you don't post it live. Take notes or type up the story in a Word doc as recruitment moves along, then come back here when recruitment is over and copy and paste.

Being an upperclassman and having gone through recruitment already, it would probably be easy for any active sister who stumbled upon this thread to figure out who you are. Just lay low until after recruitment, and hopefully you'll have a happy story to tell all of us upon your return.

Good luck!

[TheRockerEagle]

Hi there folks. I would be posting my recruitment story on Monday, but unfortunately my recruitment got cut short since I was once again released from recruitment like I was three years before when I did recruitment the first time. Today is Preference Day at my school, and yesterday for Sisterhood Day, I was only invited back to one sorority, ironically like on Sisterhood Day three years ago. It was the exact same sorority that invited me for Sisterhood Day and released me for Preference Day, which was Led Zeppelin. Even the newest sorority at my school, Van Halen, dropped me after Philanthropy Day. When I saw that I only had one sorority to go back to yesterday instead of four, I thought that I should make the best of it, and try to impress them, which apparently I didn't do enough. I'm upset, and I feel like I have been rejected, which I do not cope with very well. Although, I do understand that it could have been the number of women who went through recruitment at my school this year. My school's Greek Life had their biggest recruitment ever this year. Over 400 women went into recruitment at my school. I'm not sure if it would be appropriate to post my story now that I've been dropped, but if many of you want to hear it, I'll post the two days of recruitment that I did participate in. I was also wondering why is it that the sororities can't tell the PNMs why they were dropped. Why is everything so secretive? I'm gathering it is because it is the way they've been since they started doing it. I can't really talk to anyone that I know about it since many of my friends aren't even in NPC sororities. I've tried to talk to my mom about it too, but she doesn't quite understand it, and keeps thinking that I was dropped since I'm 6 credits away from being a senior since a friend's mother mentioned that my friend's sister, who was actually in a professional fraternity, said that many sororities do not invite those who are seniors. I may or may not try again in the Spring. If there are sororities that are doing informal in the Spring, I'll make a go for it. If not, then, I probably will have lost my chance at being in a sorority since I have plans to graduate next Fall. My only saving grace would be if another chapter colonized at my school.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by TheRockerEagle

Although, I do understand that it could have been the number of women who went through recruitment at my school this year. My school's Greek Life had their biggest recruitment ever this year. Over 400 women went into recruitment at my school.

Unless your school imposes a membership cap on Greek organizations, this has NOTHING to do with it.

I'm guessing that your interviewing for Van Halen and then never showing up for the actual events could have something to do with why they dropped you. Other than that, we can't speculate as to the reason.

[irishpipes]

There aren't many schools (there are a few) where seniors fare well. Plus, some sororities have a once cut, always cut "policy." It seems that you had a lot of factors working against you.

Sorry it didn't work out.