the nitty gritty info for rush

[misstip12]

hey ladies
i'm rushing in a week and i had some specific questions i hope you guys can clear up for me just so i can get a better sense of what to expect
i go to u of michigan by the way...

how large are the groups that go to visit each of the houses?
is one PNM matched up with one sorority sister or two PNM with 1 sister- how does that usually work?
how many sisters do you generally talk with and for how long?
from the other post i found out what not to say =P but i'm still wondering what you talk about with a total stranger- do you just ask each other what majors each of you are and how you like the school and stuff like that?

[SWTXBelle]

Question # 1 - you'll have to check with your campus Panhellenic. It undoubtly is going to depend on how many PNM there are.

As to how many sisters you will speak with - depends on the sorority, the day (you'll probably talk to more sisters earlier in the week - fewer sisters but more in depth later in the week).

Research the chapters you will visit so you can ask some specific questions about each GLO. Ask open ended questions - and be prepared to answer the same. Good questions - " What do you think makes your chapter special?" "What is your favorite GLO memory?" "How does your chapter support your philanthropy?" Bad questions - "So, do you get to hook up with the hottest fraternity boys?" "I am planning on going XYZ, so there's no point in talking to you , is there?"

Research the many varied recruitment stories here - and recruitment tips. I hope a U of Michigan alumna will give you some more specific advice. HTH

[Benzgirl]

AGDee is a U of M alum. I think we also have some actives on GC.

Please keep us updated on your journey through recruitment.

Originally Posted by Benzgirl

AGDee is a U of M alum. I think we also have some actives on GC.

Please keep us updated on your journey through recruitment.

Psst! Dee's from the EMU chapter.

Regardless of that, I'm sure she's very familiar with U of M because of her longtime service on the VST.

[beebadger]

Good luck -- and have fun -- at rush!! Every school is a little different, but generally, 2nd semester has a smaller number of PNMs. I went to UW-Madison and I think there were about 30 people in each rush group to start. Don't worry about things to talk about -- the girls in the house have been through this before (on both sides!) so most of them can get the ball rolling. Not all of them are good at it either, though, so if the conversation lags, it's not all YOUR fault! We'll be thinking of you next week -- let us know how it all goes!!

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by misstip12

hey ladies

how large are the groups that go to visit each of the houses?
is one PNM matched up with one sorority sister or two PNM with 1 sister- how does that usually work?
how many sisters do you generally talk with and for how long?
from the other post i found out what not to say =P but i'm still wondering what you talk about with a total stranger- do you just ask each other what majors each of you are and how you like the school and stuff like that?

*Group sizes depend on the # of girls participating in recruitment. For example, my school had like 120 girls total rushing so the groups were only 15 girls each.

*The length of the parties gets longer each day. For example, day 1 parties at my school were 20 minutes, while Pref (final) parties are one hour long.

*The # of sisters you talk to will also vary. In the first few rounds, the parties are shorter, so you will talk to more sisters in an effort to help you meet as many girls as you can in a short time. The later rounds, the parties are meant to be a more in depth look at the sorority, so you will spend more time talking to one or 2.

*The sisters will initiate the conversation. Most of them have been through formal recruitment before and know how to hold a conversation. It helps if you ask questions and not let the sister do all the talking.

*Keep in mind that some of the sorority sisters are doing recruitment for the first time, so they will be nervous just like you. So don't be upset if you get paired with someone who doesn't talk alot or struggles with the conversation. It doesn't mean they don't like you.

[AGDee]

I am a U of M fan but, as OTW said, went to EMU down the road. However, I have been involved with U of M's campus somewhat over the years.

U of M holds their formal recruitment in the fall so this will be informal and, most likely, only those chapters not at Chapter Total will be participating. Since it is informal, there will be fewer PNMs also. I believe it is relatively new for them to hold a structured informal winter recruitment.

As for conversing with the sisters in the houses, think about it. Since starting college, you've conversed with a whole lot of people you didn't know before! Some of them you will "click" with right away and walk away thinking "I can't believe I was worried about what to talk about" because you never run out of things to talk with them about. With some, it may be awkward, in part because you are BOTH nervous or because it's someone you just didn't "click" with.

The chapters at Michigan are so big that I think anybody can find a group within any of the chapters with whom they feel comfortable. The houses are all big and beautifully decorated. I can say that, as a collegiate member (20+ years ago), at EMU, we were always in awe of the houses and chapters at Michigan. Oh to live in a house with a meal plan, cook, house boys... <sigh>.

I wish you the best of luck with your recruitment! U of M is a great Greek campus!

[JennLev]

I am so excited about rush coming up this semester! Its so much fun and emtion balled into one. I think last year every single girl was hysterically crying on bid day. really did not help our pictures that everyone had make up running down their faces.