What to Expect When You Decide to go Through Recruitment
By Emily Halonen
Staff Reporter
I was standing in an alphabetical line wearing the same blue recruitment shirt as the other 40 girls in the line. Coming from out-of-state, I didn't know anyone at Mizzou, let alone anyone in my recruitment group. All of a sudden, the sounds of several horns blasted through Greektown and more than 100 women with Miss America smiles poured out of the Delta Delta Delta house. "Awww, Delta...Delta, Delta, Delta...Delta three, Delta tri, Delta Delta till we die," they chanted. It seemed like all of the houses were competing for the most deafening cheer because I could hear cheers from all other 13 chapters on campus. When the women started streaming down the sidewalks toward me, all I wanted was my mommy.
Turns out that was only half of it. The 6:00 a.m. early mornings, the bellow from the blow horn, the make-up on every expectant face, the sweat rolling off each body from the scorching sun, the anticipation, the catcalls, the cheers, the manicured fingers and toes, the skits, the dance routines, the singing and chatting, or in other words, the
University of Missouri's Sorority Recruitment was an unforgettable experience.
As a potential member last year, I went through Recruitment and am now an exuberantly happy member of my chapter here at Mizzou. However, having a little extra wisdom about the week would have been nice.
I was so nervous at the beginning of the first day of Recruitment, but throughout the day I realized that many of the sorority women talking to me were just as nervous as I was. Every sorority member at every single house went out of their way to make the incoming women feel comfortable. After visiting a total of 14 chapters on that first day, I was completely at ease, and was used to the pattern of questions: What's your name, What's your major, Where are you from?
Erin Goldenhersh of Delta Gamma advises potential members to, "be excited to be at each chapter, smile, try to hold a conversation, and have a positive attitude!"
Even though you may be tired, it is important to give each chapter the respect and attention it deserves.
The following morning, I woke up and met my Recruitment Counselors to figure out what houses I was asked back to. Unfortunately, some women in my Recruitment Group had been cut from houses that they really liked.
Ashley Motchan of Pi Beta Phi asks the potential members to not "get too worked up about the houses they get asked back from or not. They should give every house an equal chance and have a positive attitude because in the end it just works out."
On Nine Social Day, the potential members can be invited back and visit up to nine chapters. This is skit day and was one of my favorites because of all the amazing decorations in the houses, the themed-beverages the sorority women offered us, and the singing, dancing and acting entertainment.
Five Social Day came next, and during this day potential members learned about one of the most important aspects of sorority life: philanthropy. Each sorority supports a unique cause ranging from breast cancer to the Ronald McDonald House.
The last day was Four Social Day or commonly known as Preference Day, and was perhaps the most sentimental and touching day. The sisterhood of each chapter was on display, as they took strides to tell potential members what it was like to be a Gamma Phi Beta, to be a Zeta Tau Alpha, a Kappa Delta, etc. I, like many other potential member got an indescribable feeling of belonging and love for a certain chapter. I had found the right sorority for me, and all I had to do was wait anxiously to see if they felt the same about me.
On Bid Day, the various recruitment groups lined up together under the columns and our Recruitment Counselors handed us envelopes that held our bids. I was almost shaking with anticipation as I tore the envelope to find that I was offered a bid for my first choice.
Many people received their first choice but some did not. However, many of the potential members found that everything did work out for the best, as they are extremely happy with their second and third choices of chapters.
Erin Stiffelman, the Panhellenic Association’s Vice President of Recruitment hopes that the 2004 Potential Members "have fun and keep an open mind!"
Top Ten Must-Know Secrets of Sororities Before Going Through Recruitment
1. Be You - The sorority will love you for who you are!
2. Sorority life is not like the MTV show!
3. Be Open Minded - Don't listen to any stereotypes you may have heard about each sorority. Every woman in every chapter is unique and cannot be categorized based on her chapter.
4. Sororities are not all about excessive drinking and crazy partying.
5. Hazing is illegal, and therefore rumors that sorority members circle fat on their pledges or make new members sleep in coffins are not true.
6. "PM" and "RC" stand for Potential Member and Recruitment Counselor respectively.
7. Katie D'Alexander of Alpha Chi Omega says, "When the RC's tell you to drink water, DRINK WATER." Women passed out last year from the heat and dehydration.
8. Wear comfortable sandals/shoes that won't give you blisters.
9. Be prepared for anything, even thunderstorms.
10. Get to know your Recruitment Counselors – they have gone through a grueling application and interview process so they can help you have a wonderful Recruitment experience.
-------------------------------------
An article I found.. I thought it was really nice and informative...
[
http://www.greekchronicle.com/2003/i...ecruitment.php]
Linear Mode
