Ready to Pledge? HELP.

AlyssER · #1 03-04-2008, 10:06 PM

Since coming to college, joining a Sorority has been in the back of my mind. I'm not the type of person to take risks and become involved in a program where I have NO IDEA what goes on. But seeing that pledging was so worth it in the end, makes me want to take this risk.

I wasn't allowed to join a sorority my freshman year because my parents wanted me to focus on my studies. I know a lot of girls who failed out the semester they pledged because it took up SO MUCH of their time. Sophomore year came around, and my nerves got the best of me again. It's too late to pledge for this spring semester, but I'm determined to pledge fall semester of my Junior Year. I know pledging as a junior is a little late, but it's not uncommon here at my school.

I just need some encouragement so I can go through with this. I guess I'm just afraid of the unknown. 8 weeks of the unknown to be exact. Does anyone have any advice for me? Definitely over these next few months, I'm going to memorize the history of the sorority, the Greek alphabet, founders, etc. I want to be fully prepared =/

texas*princess · #2 03-04-2008, 10:12 PM

1) I would recommend practicing discretion.

2) Don't go into recruitment hell-bent on a particular sorority. After going through the first few rounds, you may find things you like about other chapters on your campus. It's always best to keep an open mind and let the whole mutual selection process work.

3) It is not neccessary to learn the Greek alphabet or the entire history of an organization in order to go through recruitment. Honestly, if some girl came to my recruitment party and cited the entire history and timeline of my organization, I would be kind of frightened.

All you have to do to "prepare" for recruitment is make sure you have good grades. If recs are recommended for your campus, go out and get them. Brush your teeth, brush your hair, and don't look like you just rolled out of bed when you go to recruitment parties. That is about as prepared as you need to be.

good luck!

ComradesTrue · #3 03-04-2008, 10:17 PM

Great advice above.

I would also suggest reading some of the threads in our recruitment section to learn as much about the process as possible. Be sure and read some of the recruitment story threads too... it is common for PMNs to have their heart set on a chapter only to be cut. However, in the end they end up in a different house and more happy than they could have dreamed.

One key thing to keep in mind is that you must be *invited* to join a particular group. Each chapter only has a limited number of bids that they can give, so be careful having the thought that there is a particular group "that you plan on pledging."

Best of luck to you.

Aquastar · #4 03-04-2008, 10:24 PM

I don't think the women at AEPhi necessarily want you to learn their entire history and/or the greek alphabet. Recruitment is a time to get to know the campus women interested in joining a sorority. I think they would probably be more interested in learning about you and seeing that you want to share a sisterhood and help the greek community and have fun with them. I think you should just be yourself and show genuine interest.

The other posts are correct though in saying each chapter has a finite amount of bids they can offer and overall everyone is interested in making sure the women offered bids and the chapter that offers them fit well together.

Good Luck

aoiicutiepie14 · #5 03-05-2008, 12:29 AM

congrats on your decision to rush! I pledged last semester and it has been one of the best decisions of my life. Yes, it is a big financial and time commitment but it has all been so worth it. When I went through recruitment, I also had no idea what to expect or exactly what the pledging process consisted of. Honestly, I really don't think you should try to memorize any founders or anything like that. As a pledge, your new member educator will teach all of that information to you and your pledge sisters. You aren't expected to know that information and it might come off a little obsessive if you let a sorority know during rush that you already know all of their information. That is the point of rush. To get to know the houses and see which one is the best match for you. Anyways, just make sure you get a good gpa this semester and be confident and openminded when you do rush! good luck!

atomicflowers · #6 03-05-2008, 01:25 PM

1) Go through recruitment with an open-mind! Don't just set your mind on one sorority! For example, maybe you'll like a particular sorority because of their "looks" or something [this is just an example lol] but as you go through recruitment, maybe you'll begin to realize that you like things about other chapters as well.

2) Keep your GPA - this is crucial!

3) I agree, it isn't necessary to learn each chapter's histories, the Greek alphabet, etc. They aren't going to test you on it! However throughout recruitment you'll learn a lot of the "basic" stuff - their philanthropy, colors, symbols/mascots, etc. If you want to learn more about them, I would look up the list of sororities that you have on your campus and then look up their information through their websites.

4) Try to meet as many girls as possible [that are involved with Greek life]

5) As texas*princess said, look presentable. Don't just roll out of bed and then go to the recruitment events. Dress nicely [recruitment is different everywhere - for the first few rounds we were allowed to wear basically anything and then for philanthropy/pref we had to wear "business" attire - nice slacks/black pants/khakis, skirts, a nice top - no flip flops! but like I said it might be different at your school]

6) When you go through recruitment, just be yourself and ask questions! Asking questions gives the impression that you're interested in their sorority.

Good luck!

LatinaAlumna · #7 03-05-2008, 03:49 PM

Ladies, I don't think this woman is interested in a NPC sorority. (although my radar could be off!)

ComradesTrue · #8 03-05-2008, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LatinaAlumna

Ladies, I don't think this woman is interested in a NPC sorority. (although my radar could be off!)

Your radar is off.

Notice the edit time stamp at the bottom of her post? Prior to the edit she listed a specific NPC that she "planned to pledge." She very wisely made an edit to her post that removed the name of that group.

LatinaAlumna · #9 03-05-2008, 04:00 PM

Ahh...thanks for filling me in.

SthrnZeta · #10 03-05-2008, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blondie93

Your radar is off.

Notice the edit time stamp at the bottom of her post? Prior to the edit she listed a specific NPC that she "planned to pledge." She very wisely made an edit to her post that removed the name of that group.

And aquastar outed her by naming the GLO in her post.

#11 03-05-2008, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SthrnZeta

And aquastar outed her by naming the GLO in her post.

Eh, I wouldn't say that aquastar "outed" her. I followed the thread from the beginning, and aquastar made reference to AEPhi before the OP decided to edit her post. The OP should've known better, I suppose.

SthrnZeta · #12 03-05-2008, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OTW

Eh, I wouldn't say that aquastar "outed" her. I followed the thread from the beginning, and aquastar made reference to AEPhi before the OP decided to edit her post. The OP should've known better, I suppose.

Yeah, you know what I meant

GammaPhi88 · #13 03-05-2008, 11:47 PM

AlyssER, I had a junior in my pledge class. She was a transfer student, and though she's graduating soon, they saw her as a great addition to the pledge class. If you are open...and truely open...good things may happen.

Also, if you explain why you rushed so late (I know I would understand if a girls parents wouldn't let her). Good luck, and let us know!

AlyssER · #14 03-06-2008, 07:12 PM

I must say, the whole "recruitment/pledging" process is much different at my school, then from what I have read here on this forum. I attend a SUNY school rather then a huge University, so that might be why.

We don't really have "recruitment" per say here. All the sororities do indeed hold parties and mixers with other fraternities so that you can go and meet the sisters. This usually lasts 2-3 weeks. Whatever sorority you relate to better, you'll find yourself attending more of THEIR parties. At the end of this, you'll attend that sororities "Bid Night" where you sign your bid. The next day, the sisters will come to your residence hall with flowers to tell you they accepted your bid. I've never really heard of anyone NOT receiving a bid the next day. And at the same time, I've never seen a pledge class with more then 10 people in it..

A little different I guess from the recruitment stories that I've read on here..

#15 03-06-2008, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlyssER

I must say, the whole "recruitment/pledging" process is much different at my school, then from what I have read here on this forum. I attend a SUNY school rather then a huge University, so that might be why.

We don't really have "recruitment" per say here. All the sororities do indeed hold parties and mixers with other fraternities so that you can go and meet the sisters. This usually lasts 2-3 weeks. Whatever sorority you relate to better, you'll find yourself attending more of THEIR parties. At the end of this, you'll attend that sororities "Bid Night" where you sign your bid. The next day, the sisters will come to your residence hall with flowers to tell you they accepted your bid. I've never really heard of anyone NOT receiving a bid the next day. And at the same time, I've never seen a pledge class with more then 10 people in it..

A little different I guess from the recruitment stories that I've read on here..

It is recruitment. It may not be formal recruitment, but it IS recruitment.

And FYI, per NPC Unanimous Agreements, no men are allowed at recruitment events.