Queasy Recruitment '07

[Javalover]

My daughter, “Carrie,” was eager to try sorority recruitment, but it wasn’t a life-or-death thing with her. She hated “girl drama” in high school, but was impressed by the Greek Affairs presentation at orientation. She neither knew nor cared about each sorority’s reputations and didn’t know anyone in the Greek system at this school. She wanted to be involved and make new friends, and saw it as a way to do both. It was also a good excuse to buy new clothes! To me, she seemed a natural for Greek life.

Day one:
The first day of recruitment was also my first day at a new job. At 6:30 am, I was surprised to see Carrie’s number on the caller ID when the phone rang. “Mom, I’ve been throwing up since about 3 am!!” She assured me she hadn’t had any “beverages,” the night before, but had felt increasingly queasy since eating a sandwich in the late afternoon. My initial reaction was to jump in the car to come to her aid, but because of my new job, I really couldn’t unless it was a dire emergency. Plus, I told myself I would NOT be a “helicopter mom.” I suggested she take a cool shower and see how she felt. The phone rang 15 minutes later. Carrie had gotten sick again and was going back to bed. I told her she HAD to call the R.C. to let her know what was going on. She said she would. I left for work, aching for my daughter, and worried that her chances of joining a sorority had just gone “down the toilet.”

My morning at the new job was horrible. I called Carrie at lunch and found out she had made it to the initial morning meeting, but had excused herself to the bathroom twice. Her R.C. told her to go back to her room, but strongly encouraged her to do whatever she could to catch up with the group later. They were visiting all the houses that day (more than a dozen.) So far, she hadn’t gone anywhere except back to the bathroom she had come to know so well.

I decided to do a “mom” thing, even though a voice inside was telling me not to. I called the Panhel office at the university. I was worried that the R.C. may not have followed through and my daughter would be completely dropped. I know I sounded like a babbling idiot, but I explained that my daughter really was ill, not just skipping the day, and essentially begged them to get that info to the sororities. (Are the blades in my helicopter turning??)

By late afternoon, Carrie felt better but still not great, and was able to make herself presentable and tried to catch up with her group. There were only 2 houses left to visit. It was beastly hot, Carried didn’t know the area, and despite directions from the R.C., she got turned around and never found the girls. The day was over and she had not been able to meet anyone, and worse yet, no one had met her.

At that night’s meeting, the other girls filled out their rankings, and Carried had nothing to rank. They could receive up to 10 invitations back for the next round. Her R.C. said she might get some… just wait and see. Although recruitment at this university isn’t extremely competitive, I was scared to death she would be completely dropped. Carrie had recs to about half of the sororities (in this area they are pretty optional) and was a legacy to two. Maybe that would help.... She had a good attitude about it all - if it didn't work out, it didn't work out - and there was always informal. Regardless, now my stomach was the one in knots as we waited.

[Senusret I]

No time, keep going!

[texas*princess]

Originally Posted by Javalover

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I decided to do a “mom” thing, even though a voice inside was telling me not to. I called the Panhel office at the university. I was worried that the R.C. may not have followed through and my daughter would be completely dropped. I know I sounded like a babbling idiot, but I explained that my daughter really was ill, not just skipping the day, and essentially begged them to get that info to the sororities. (Are the blades in my helicopter turning??)

yes.. but in all fairness, you asked.

Hope things went well for the daughter though.

[ValpoKD]

and I am already hooked! Next post, next post!

[lawgal]

Query - if Carrie's roommate had called the panhellenic office for her, would that make roommate a "helicopter roommate?"

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by lawgal

Query - if Carrie's roommate had called the panhellenic office for her, would that make roommate a "helicopter roommate?"

No.

[Javalover]

Round two (first visits for Carrie):
I held my breath the next morning when the phone rang. I couldn't believe my ears - Carrie had a full schedule!! I was so shocked! I had hoped for maybe 4 or 5, but she was invited to 10! As she ran down the list for me, I was disappointed that one of the four houses that had dropped her was the one where she was a legacy via her grandmother (it would have meant a lot to Grandma to have Carrie pledge there.) But, I was thrilled, amazed, and so grateful that my daughter would have such a good opportunity to make up lost ground. She still didn’t feel terrific, and had eaten only crackers and water, but was eager to get started.

Carrie went to the 10 houses over the next two days. She had a wonderful time and met some great girls and was really getting “into” it. She listed her six favorites and waited for the results.


Round three (2nd visit for Carrie):
The next morning, she was excited to see that her schedule again was full! One of her favorites wasn’t there, but Carrie was very happy with her choices. Here's how she viewed things after she finished this round:

Pepto Bismol: Carrie had a lot of fun here, loved their philanthropy, and felt very comfortable with the girls. The president of Pepto turned out to have been a friend of Carrie’s older sister’s in high school although Carrie didn’t know her. This was her first choice at this point.

Tums: Carrie liked the house a lot, and knew many other girls in her group felt the same way. Everything here just flowed. The girls were funny and easy to talk to, the house lovely, but for some reason, Carrie was tentative when she talked to me about it.

Rolaids: This wasn’t one of Carrie’s top choices because she didn’t feel she clicked with the girls. She sensed there would be more “girl drama” here than at others.

Alka Seltzer: Carrie really was intrigued with this group and was anxious to go back. The girls were “normal,” conversations went well, and the house was awesome! She definitely hoped to return.

Mylanta: Carrie knew one of her close friends really liked this house. It didn’t strike Carrie as being right for her, but though t maybe her friend had seen something she had missed. She hopes to give it another try.

Maalox: Very pleasant girls, but not a big attraction.

Her top 3 and where she hoped to go for the preference round:
Pepto
Tums
Alka Seltzer

At this point, I was really worried about cuts because no one had met her more than twice and an invitation to the preference round is serious stuff. Carrie has a very warm personality, but would anyone feel they knew her well enough yet to include her, and would Carrie feel enough of a connection anywhere to accept?

[groovypq]

I love your code names!!! I hope everything worked out for Carrie - can't wait to hear more!

[lovespink88]

haha, nice names! more please!!!!

[Leslie Anne]

Go Pepto Bismol!!!!

Can't wait to read more.

[AnchorAlumna]

Love the names, and as a mom, it's a treat to read all this through your perspective!

[aephi alum]

I have to say I love your code names.

Hope Carrie's recruitment story has a happy, non-queasy conclusion.

[Benzgirl]

Two Thumbs Up for Nausea!

[Javalover]

Preference round invitations:
Some of Carrie’s incredible luck had dwindled, but she still had plenty of options.

Pepto had not asked her back.

But, she still had Tums, Alka Seltzer, and Mylanta. Carrie was confused and a disappointed about losing Pepto, but was excited to go to Tums and Alka Seltzer, and was willing to give Mylanta another shot.

The preference parties were all beautiful…
Tums: Carrie didn’t gush about her feelings, but said she really liked it. The more she came here, the better she liked it. I sensed hesitation in her, and didn’t know if it was because she was worried about her chances, or what. She said she would accept a bid here if offered one.

Alka Seltzer: These girls were warm and friendly and easy to be with. Carrie could see herself fitting in here. The ceremony was touching and Carrie enjoyed herself very much.

Mylanta: Although the preference party was great, Carrie couldn’t see herself here. Her good friend liked this house a great deal, but the more Carrie went back, the more she could see that it wasn’t the right place for her.

Carrie’s signed her preference card:
1. Tums
2. Alka Seltzer (a very close #2)

Bids would be distributed late the next afternoon. The waiting game continues...

[honeychile]

What clever code names! Here's hoping that Carrie doesn't need any of them until long after Bid Day!!