Is this appropriate?

[TaraHopeful]

As you all probably know by now, i'm rushing this fall and i was wondering that if when the sister that is talking to you during parties....if she asks "so what do you like to do for fun" ...is it ok to say "party" or go clubbing, or will i look like an alcoholic slut or something? I'm not at all, but among other things, i do like to party.....just wondering. And what if it's a sorority that has a rep for being party girls...would it be appropriate then?
Tara

[CarolinaDG]

Generally, you don't want to say anything like, "Yeah, dude, I LOVE to get trashed!" but you are right... some sororities are party sororities and saying that you like to party wouldn't be too bad... but maybe you want to say "go out with friends" or something like that.

[twinstars]

If you respond by saying "I like to party," even if it's TRUE, you miss out on the chance to say something more interesting, unique, memorable, and impressive. I think the basic assumption is that all PNM's "like to party" until proven otherwise. This kind of a question gives you a chance to talk about unique or unusual hobbies and interests that will set you apart from the rest of the pack. Talk about something you're passionate about, be it running, reading, fashion, your studies, travel, whatever. You can say you like hanging out with friends, but you need to come across as a stable, mature person, not as some party kid whose life revolves around that scene.

I, for one, would be sort of unimpressed by a PNM who told me she "likes to party." I myself "like to party," and my sorority could be considered a sort of "party sorority," but I don't think that's really a rush-appropriate topic for a PNM to bring up. There's plenty of stuff I do for fun that doesn't make for polite rush conversation.

If you are a sociable girl who likes to have a good time, that will come across in your personality without you explicitly saying so.

[sororitygirl2]

Also, many people say they are "going out dancing" when they go to clubs... you could just say that.

Or, if you want to say party, just make sure you balance it with other characteristics... so you represent who you are, and don't sound like an "alcoholic slut." (For example, "I love to spend time with friends doing all sorts of things. Sometimes we go to a nice dinner and then to a club... other times we just rent movies and have a bonding night..." Okay, maybe you don't want to sound that cheesy, but you get the point... show all your facets!)

[bgsugirlie]

This is sort of a tricky question because you definitely don't want to lie about yourself, but the sisters only have a few short days to get to know you...and you don't want them to think you are rushing just for parties, drinking, and fraternity guys. Most sororities are trying to recruit girls that would make great sisters and are joining for the sisterhood aspect of sorority. If they ask you what you like to do for fun try saying something like going out with my friends and maybe try naming another one of your interests. This way they get to more know about you...and it might even save them from an awkward moment because most sororities aren't allowed to discuss bars or drinking during recruitment events. Good luck!

[SoCalGirl]

I agree with if you want to mention partying then it should be phrased more of "I like to go dancing w/ my friends." If you happen to be from the same town as the rusher you can mention some of the places you go to.

I wouldn't try to tailor your answers too much based on whether a house has a party or non party rep. Heck, you could catch a chapter during a year when they're trying to revamp their image. The party house could be "turned off" and the non party house is thinking "perfect".

But definetely play up you various interests. I know girls that'll party till the cows come home. But they'll also be able to debate politics and philiosphy. They're just that good.

[HotDamnImAPhiMu]

I agree with these girls -- everyone likes to go out! But talk to me about the things that make you YOU. Tell me about your clogging lessons or how you love Russian poetry, or how you've taken your cat to obedience lessons 43 times and she STILL can't quite seem to get it.

The whole point of rush is to figure out where you fit in. So instead of focusing on the things that make you the SAME as everyone else.... focus on the things that make you different. Are you passionate about your major? Do you love music? What truly makes for a great day for you?

My point is, of course you like to party, and of course you aren't an alcoholic slut. But if you have a chance to tell me 2 things about yourself...... do you want one of them to be that you party?

Good luck, girl. I hope I don't sound awful and overbearing. I want to make sure you get in somewhere you will LOVE. And I suspect that you will. :-) Good luck!

[PSUSigKap]

i like to party and have a good time! i went to high school overseas and it was legal to drink at 16, so i'd done my share of partying. the question came up at one of the recruitment parties and i just said that i like to go out and have a good time. i just left it at that. so you might just say you like to have a good time and the sister can take it however she likes it.

[LeslieAGD]

A more "recruitment friendly" answer would be "I like to go out and dance," even if the sorority is known for their party-girl ways.

[kddani]

I think if that's the first thing you really say to that question, it doesn't reflect all that well on you. Definately phrase it differently, and also bring out other more unique things about you.
Speaking on my own experience, I know girls who have said this and had little other in the way of interests- definately not a girl we need around! We are never at a lack for "social" sisters, so it's not exactly like with looking for partiers to fill a "need" for the house! So that has hurt girls in the past.
You want to make yourself more memorable, so mention something like that in passing, but bring out your more unique side.
Good luck!

[carnation]

At Arkansas? Tell them something like you like to be with friends or something along those lines. You're going to be in the Bible Belt and while there are lots of party girls, there are also many people who would cut you if they got the wrong impression--especially if they thought you would kill the sorority's GPA!

[kdonline]

As others have said, just be subtle.

Who knows, you might be rushed by a girl who is VERY conservative & would take "I like to party!" differently.

Every chapter has a few girls who are more religious than the others, so you don't want to offend them. Just be polite & see how the conversation flows, but don't lose control of yourself. It's easy to say too much.

just remember, sororities are NOT about partying. It's about sisterhood, philanthropy & improving the world. Sure, there's an amount of socializing involved, but really...those of us who have lived it can see that partying is just a small part of it - and actually, gets to be more of a drag when you're a senior ready to graduate!

[CarolinaDG]

Carnation brought up a very good point that had completely slipped my mind...

I, being from South Carolina, am also right smack in the middle of the bible belt. The thing is, we have sisters that go out every night, but we also have sisters who have formed chapter bible studies. The problem that you're going to run into, being from the south, is that even in a "party" sorority, you'll find people who's lives revolve around God, and who severely frown upon people who go out (even though their sisters do, they might not like that they do). You're probably better off staying pretty neutral and talking about non-alcohol related interests. Of course, if the girl brings up that she likes to party, you'll have an open invitation to talk about your interest in partying, and that would be just fine! Good luck!

[Peaches-n-Cream]

LeslieAGD, sororitygirl2, & SoCalGirl have it right. Tell them that you like to go out dancing with friends. Otherwise, they might think that you spend your weekends praying to the porcelain god.

[TaraHopeful]

Great suggestions girls! Thanks so much. You make very good points....especially the "Bible Belt" one..i had completely forgotten about that....