Tall Son's Recruitment Story

[carnation]

Sooooo...once upon a time, there was a guy who was thinking about rushing at his university. His best friend opted not to but Tall Son had many Greek relatives, including 6 older sisters and several uncles and cousins. A call from his great uncle finally convinced him that this was the thing to do!

At his university, there are many fraternities. We thought he'd be all about the big ones--frankly, he was a big fish in a big pond in high school and we thought he might prefer numbers.

For the first several days of recruitment, the men went up and down Greek Row for open houses. They could drop in wherever they wanted and visit. After open houses were over, they would receive invitations to preferential parties.

[KSUViolet06]

Is this the first carnation boy story we've ever had?

[carnation]

Yes! First of four, I hope, although the baby is only 9.

[UGAalum94]

I'm really looking forward to this! I'm always curious about the experience of guys' rush, but most guys I've known didn't analyze it the way I wanted them to. Or maybe they just don't articulate the emotions details if they do analyze it.

I'm hoping that having a female re-tell the story will tease out these details.

[gee_ess]

Yea for Tall Son's recruitment story!

And, let me just say, "Wow, you have 10 children???!!!"

[carnation]

No, 13 children but we still have 6 at home!

Okay, let's see. One of his sisters attended his university several years ago and it's not near us at all. We'd talked to her about fraternities at this school and she remarked that it seemed like the big ones mostly had boys from that area and that they liked to ride around campus in their pickups and let out Rebel yells. Oh, that sounded good. But I posted something on GC to that effect over a year ago and this fraternity member from that school pmed me and said, "I bet you're talking about my university, aren't you?" Well, yeah. We exchanged several pms about the system there and I felt better.

Tall Son visited almost every group. He found that the fraternity of one of his uncles (a big group) wouldn't be rushing this fall because they were on social probation. He liked the big ol' fraternity of several of his uncles but he did say that they were rather low-key. He knew he really liked 2 of the medium-sized groups and kept returning to them too.

When he got his pref invitations, he chose those 3. We had no idea which way he would go. Would he choose his uncles' big fraternity because of the family heritage? Or would he go with one of those other groups that made him feel so at home?

We waited anxiously for his call after pref, only--and this is the truth--we switched cell phone services that night and he's been phoneless since then. We sent him his new phone today and he gets it tomorrow at 11, at which time we hope for tons of details!

Originally Posted by gee_ess

Yea for Tall Son's recruitment story!

And, let me just say, "Wow, you have 10 children???!!!"

[ASUADPi]

Yeah for a fratnity recruitment story. I've always wondered how the IFC side works.

[Just interested]

Can't wait! Carnation, it sounds to me like the story of your family would make a great movie. Wow! How many children have you put through school? You have done something right.

[sceniczip]

13?! I can't even imagine the craziness (I'm an only child lol) How far apart in ages youngest to oldest?

[carnation]

Ages 9-27 and so far, seven have graduated and gone off to college. Two have graduated from college, one with a master's, and two more will graduate this school year.

[pearlbubbles]

I like hearing IFC stories too! But they're always so brief. I asked an ex-boyfriend about it once and he said "They were cool guys.... My dad and grandpa were in it too... *shrug*" Not nearly as nerve-racking.

I'm excited to hear the rest.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by carnation

We waited anxiously for his call after pref, only--and this is the truth--we switched cell phone services that night and he's been phoneless since then. We sent him his new phone today and he gets it tomorrow at 11, at which time we hope for tons of details!

What? This is your son the Eagle Scout? He's not better prepared to handle the emergency of being without a cell phone? He doesn't have email? He doesn't always have a quarter in his pocket so that he can use a pay phone if he needs to?

[highjack]My son has his first Board of Review coming up. When I told him he'd do well to have a quarter in his pocket just in case someone asked him if he had one, he looked at me like "You have to be making this up."[/highjack]

Hope you hear some good news soon!

[angelove]

to Brutally Honest: Carnation is not a clown car, if you get my drift. The Carnation Nation is a wonderful blend of biological and adopted kids. She and her husband are great role models for birth and adoptive parents. /hijack

They have prefs for IFC rush?? I'm betting it's not candelight and "Pass It On" and lots of tears.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by angelove

I'm betting it's not candelight and "Pass It On" and lots of tears.

HA. I just got the weirdest visual of this.

I know that at some schools, it's a nice catered dinner at the house with everyone in shirt and tie. There may be a few speeches involved, but no, no "Pass it On."

[LaneSig]

Originally Posted by angelove

They have prefs for IFC rush?? I'm betting it's not candelight and "Pass It On" and lots of tears.

At many schools, the last party before Bid Day is usually a more formal, suit and jacket, dinner or get together. My campus called them "Smokers" (going back to old fraternal history.

After the party, the members would have their meetings to decide who to give bids. In my day, bid session usually went like this:

"His dad/grandfather/brother is a member." or,

"He seems a little shy, but we can help him overcome that." or,

"He seems a little cocky, but we can settle him down." or,

"Can you see him watching football and drinking beer with us?"

Carnation - Best wishes to your son. I hope he finds a house he loves. (You know who I am rooting for. )