My Happy Recruitment Story!

[theGOODDDlife]

Hi everyone! I’ve been lurking for a long time and I’ve decided to share my recruitment story now! This story is from spring recruitment 2011, so obviously I am now an initiated sister, but I still hope you’ll all enjoy!

Sorority recruitment was something I was always planning to do. I didn’t know too many girls in chapters at my school when I rushed, and I was really happy about that. But because our recruitment is deferred I did know a few girls very briefly just from class and such, and of course I knew a little about campus reputations. Luckily, my campus is particularly catty about sororities (or such was my experience), so I didn’t really have any negative impacts. I was just generally really excited for recruitment. Even though I knew it would be cold and I’d be exhausted from flirting with girls all day, I knew that no matter what happened I’d end up where I was meant to and I’d meet a lot of cool people in the process. My Rho Chis were really nice—I was definitely a lot closer with one than the other, but they were both great and easy to talk to. They kept saying to trust in the process and that we’d all end up where we were meant to, and I actually really believed that (and still do!)

I go to a school where recruitment is not super competitive, but not exactly a walk in the park either. It’s definitely exhausting and there are definitely a lot of disappointed girls, but for the most part if you’re open minded and at the very least courteous to everyone, you will most likely get a bid. There are 12 sororities at my school, which for the purposes of this story will be named after my favorite TV shows:

Grey’s Anatomy
Psych
Friends
The O.C.
30 Rock
Parks and Recreation
Bones
Law and Order
Mad Men
Sex and the City
Lost
Say Yes to the Dress

My roommate and pretty much every girl on my hall was also going through recruitment. It was so fun to get ready and be crazy with everyone before the really long days. I really wasn’t too worried about “tent talk” or drama with the girls on our floor because no one really cares enough to go out of their way to trash talk someone. We all agreed that we would talk about our day, but only in positive terms, and if someone had a totally weird experience they could share as long as they didn’t name the chapter. Everyone just seemed to be a good sport and not want to ruin anyone else’s time and I was so happy about it.

The first day we visited all 12 sororities for open house. It was more exhausting than I could have ever imagined, but it was a good experience. Overall, I had a fun time. Here’s what I did:


Say Yes to the Dress- This chapter was first. They were definitely considered to be a popular chapter during recruitment. I didn’t know a lot about them personally, but I was excited for my first party! It was so exciting coming through the door for the first time with everyone clapping and cheering—nothing quite prepares you for it. I talked to 9 different girls. Which was definitely not the norm (for my recruitment anyway…) I’m pretty sure there was a kink in their system or something because I talked to the same girl twice, which Im sure I wasn’t supposed to? But it was still fun. Because I talked to so many girls I barely got past introductions with a lot of them, which I was concerned about. But I had a pretty good time and would love to be invited back!

Lost- this was my second party! I felt really pumped up after the first one. I knew a little better what to expect so I was a little more confident I think. I talked to the president’s little and her little. They were absolutely gorgeous girls. They were also really nice and we laughed a lot. I really liked this chapter and really hoped to be invited back.

Psych- This was my next chapter! They’re house was so gorgeous and new. They were a newer sorority on campus, but they were still the same size as all the others relatively. I liked talking to the girls just fine, but a lot of them seemed a little to eager to have me (not necessarily me PERSONALLY, but just laying it on a little thick if that makes any sense…) I still realized that I didn’t know very much about this chapter so I would still be fine with going back!

Bones- (although I didn’t know it at the time) this chapter was notorious for putting on a tremendous recruitment. They were always the heartbreaker for everyone. I went right in and it was absolutely gorgeous. Everyone looked great, the house looked great. The girl I talked to was not only gorgeous but HILARIOUS. And the next girl was equally gorgeous and hilarious. And the next. I was so excited that this could possibly be my chapter and I was dying to go back!

Grey’s Anatomy- I liked this next chapter as well. They were nice and we definitely deviated from the normal conversation, which I loved. They didn’t necessarily stick out in my mind, but I would like to go back and learn more!

Mad Men- This house was next. I knew one girl from class in this chapter but I didn’t see her at Open House. She was super nice though and I really liked her, but didn’t know her too well. I talked to two or three girls and they were really nice, but we didn’t really laugh or talk about anything too interesting. I’d definitely be satisfied going back here though, because again, I’m sure there was more to get to know!

Law and Order- I’m not sure exactly what it was about this chapter but we just didn’t click. With one of the girls I spoke to we both just constantly exchanged desperate glances like “YOU COME UP WITH SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT.” While she wasn’t exactly the smoothest conversationalist, it really wasn’t her fault. It just wasn’t love. I just felt awkward here. It wasn’t really for me, but if I was asked back, I’d be willing to try again.

The O.C.- I was just really comfortable here instantly. I don’t know what it was exactly but they were just really relaxed. They really seemed to be interested in me and in what I was saying and I just joked around a laughed a lot too. I didn’t necessarily learn a lot about their chapter, but I liked the girls a lot. It could definitely be for me.

30 Rock- was next. I knew one girl in this chapter from class. She was so passive aggressive and opinionated in a loud way, so I didn’t particularly like her. Obviously this didn’t represent her entire chapter but she really doesn’t give them the best PR. Turns out they were all kind of loud and just in general kind of “too big” with the jokes and sass. It just wasn’t really the way that I am. I really wasn’t sure I belonged here.

Friends- This chapter was just really chill. The girls were definitely gorgeous, but not in a preppy or intimidating way. They laughed at a lot of my jokes (which obviously I loved hahaha) and they were really nice and funny individually. All the girls looked really different but were really cool. I really liked this chapter and thought it could be a good fit for me possibly.

Parks and Rec- This chapter had a reputation on campus for not really being super popular during recruitment, mostly because they weren’t very socially present on campus. I went in a in general like all of the girls with whom I spoke. They were all nice but I’m not sure if we were necessarily alike. I’d be ok with going back but they weren’t necessarily my top.

Sex and the City- This was my last chapter and I was literally exhausted. However, this was the only chapter I actually knew someone (and knew her pretty well!) she was the older sister of one of my good friends and she happened to be the president (we’ll call her Carrie) She didn’t come up and talk to me but she did casually wink at me at the door which was cute. I didn’t know a super lot about this chapter but I know people generally thought well of them and Carrie really loved it. I talked to three girls who were really great. I wasn’t sure if they were really like me at all, but I definitely thought the people I talked to were genuine and interesting.

At the end of the day I was pretty sure which were my top and which were my bottom, the middle was a little hazier. This is how I ranked:

1. Bones
2. Lost
3. Friends
4. Say Yes to the Dress
5. Sex and the City
6. The O.C.
7. Psych
8. Grey’s Anatomy
9. Mad Men

Bottom:
10. Parks and Rec
11. Law and Order
12. 30 Rock

Honestly, there wasn’t a chapter I absolutely didn’t want to go back to at all. I thought I made a pretty good impression and that everything would work out. I was soooo hoping for Bones and Lost, but I pretty much liked all my tops A LOT. So I was excited for everything!

Please post if you'd like me to continue! (and where you think i'll end up! i'd love to hear) Also, if you think you know my school, please please please keep it to yourself! thank you!