JessSigKap's Retro UMD Recruitment

[AnatraAmore]

Details!!! I vote for more details... although, if there were a way to include some details and still reveal, that'd be better!!!

[FSUZeta]

well, all i know is that you and dgdramadawg are killing me, dragging this out like you are. to quote queen,"i want it all, and i want it now!"

[violetpretty]

We have to spread it out some or we won't make it until August. I'll proceed when dgdramadawg is done.

[FSUZeta]

arrrrrrrgh!

[dgdramadawg]

Originally Posted by JessSigKap

We have to spread it out some or we won't make it until August. I'll proceed when dgdramadawg is done.

I demand that you throw us a bone, jesssigkap. Or I will stop writing.

[susan314]

I vote for all the juicy details.

I'd love to know both, but agree that its both wise and Panhellenic of you to want to avoid putting impressions in the head of PNMs who might be going through UMD recruitment this fall. We all know that enough people in real life will be trying to feed them various stereotypes and impressions...don't need to step on anyone's toes here.

[violetpretty]

The schedule is as follows:

Mon Jan 26 and Tue Jan 27: Round 1 in the Union (14 chapters)
Wed Jan 28: Invite pick up
Thu Jan 29 and Fri Jan 30: Round 2- Philanthropy and House Tours (visit max 10)
Sat Jan 31: Invite pick up
Sun Feb 1: Round 3- skits (visit max 5)
Mon Feb 2: Invite pick up
Tue Feb 3: Preference (visit max 3)
Wed Feb 4: Bid Day!

Except, it snows on Monday the 26th. Awesome. I just moved into my new dorm, woke up for my 10 am class. It didn't even occur to me that school would be cancelled until I get outside and it's totally dead. Not to mention, no Rho Gamma has contacted me so I have no idea what is going on today. I called the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life (OFSL) and they said that there would be no recruitment and that they are going to redo the schedule. I asked them why I haven't been contacted by a Rho Gamma yet and they told me to come fill out another registration form tomorrow just in case.

On Tuesday, I went to class and then stopped at OFSL to fill out another registration form. They said that they haven't finished entering everyone into the computer so that is probably why I haven't heard from a Rho Gamma. I met Nina, the PHA VP Recruitment, and she told me that recruitment wouldn't start until Thursday, and she assured me that I would hear from a Rho Gamma by then. Phew.

So it's Thursday. I have class until 5. I haven't heard from a Rho Gamma yet and I am panicking. I left class, got to my dorm at 5:15ish and check my email and my messages. Nothing. Great. I am sure I am supposed to be somewhere, but I have no clue where or when. Ok, I started crying. I called OFSL and they calmed me down and said, "Ok your Rho Gamma is Annie C. and your group number is 6. Go straight to Phantom of the Opera and you'll find your group there." I am relieved because Phantom of the Opera is probably the only house I could find on my own. I fixed my makeup and threw on a hot pink button down shirt, black pants, and cute but comfortable black wedge boots. I left LaPlata around 5:30.

I get to the sidewalk by the chapel and I run into this mass of women. Must be recruitment. I asked what group they were, and a PNM said 4, 5, and 6. Finally! Something goes right! I magically found my group without trying! I found Annie, and she gave me my nametag and calling cards and quickly explained what was going on. Turns out I was very lucky to have found my group, because we were not starting at Phantom of the Opera, we were starting at Hairspray instead! I shudder to think what would have happened if I went to Phantom!

My heart is pounding, I am almost out of breath, my hands are shaking, and somehow I get delegated to be first in line to walk through the doors of Hairspray...

[violetpretty]

A couple of tidbits that I wasn't sure where they fit:

1. A girl I went to high school with, Stephanie, is in my group. We weren't friends, but we didn't hate each other, just neutral. She was a cheerleader, I was a drama kid. She seemed very surprised to see me there. I am guessing that she will go to Phantom of the Opera, probably because she gets along well with Karen, who I also went to high school with.

2. The revised schedule:

Thu Jan 29 and Fri Jan 30: Philanthropy and House Tours (visit 14)
Sat Jan 31: Invite pick up
Sun Feb 1: Skits (visit max 8)
Mon Feb 2: Invite pick up
Tue Feb 3: Preference (visit max 3)
Wed Feb 4: Bid Day!

The first two rounds were combined. We got tours of all 14 chapter houses! Instead of 14-10-5-3-1, we are going 14-8-3-1. I'll give you the scoop on the chapters I saw on Thursday tomorrow.

[Soliloquy]

Talk about sheer luck!

I am so happy you ended up finding your group. It is definitely scary to be in an area you are unfamiliar with, while trying to find a specific destination.

I can't wait to read more!

[violetpretty]

The doors of Hairspray open and they are chanting loudly. My mind is completely boggled. I have no idea what is going on, but I step through the doors, shake hands with someone (most likely the President or VP Recruitment) and then she introduces me to Sarah. They had a nice coat check, so that was nice that I didn't have to worry about my coat. Sarah takes me downstairs and we work on the philanthropy project. We went upstairs and I met Jen, who showed me around the first floor and upstairs. Hairspray has a really pretty chapter room! I didn't realize that I would be talking to only Jen now instead of Sarah. I don't know if they just didn't transition me well or if I just didn't know what was going on, but it was slightly awkward. Probably the latter. They were really down to earth and friendly though, so I didn't feel too weird about it. I am more concerned I made a fool of myself talking a mile a minute and being shaky. Overall, I like them ok but I don't LOVE them. I would like to go back and meet more sisters.

Next was Anything Goes. I am still shaking a little from the adrenaline. I had heard good things about this chapter from anyone I'd asked, so I was excited to go in. I really like their philanthropy and the activity was cool. I met 4 women at this chapter, Nicole, Sarah, Jess, and Sharon, and I rehashed my fun little story about earlier tonight with each of them. I talked about taking leadership positions with Jess and Sharon, since they were on Anything Goes' executive board. I also saw Sarah, who lives across the hall from me. I didn't get to talk to her, but I waved. This seems to be a very diverse chapter and the women seem like they do more than just party; they care about their schoolwork and like to be involved with the Greek community, yet they are personable and easy to talk to. I LOVE this chapter! They didn't have a coat check, so the sister that talked to you held your coat, and she lost my scarf. I was the last one out, standing in the foyer awkwardly as the sisters repeat their chant/song over and over while somebody found my scarf. I got it back though! I finally calmed down and got into the grind after being at Anything Goes.

Next, we went to Thoroughly Modern Millie. Since I knew Catherine and Breanna, I was excited to come here, even though some of the girls in my group were grumbling about it, and Richard doesn't like this chapter. I visited their website, which was very nice and informative, so I already knew about their philanthropy, which is cool. What I didn't know was that Catherine had a twin! I met Christine, who looks very similar, but with slightly darker hair. We had a good laugh when I thought it was Catherine even though she introduced herself at Christine. I did the philanthropy project with her. We were talking about why I decided to go through recruitment and the stereotypes about sororities and I told her that people who snub sororities are just as shallow as the stereotypes they make. I really like Christine a lot. I met Kelly next, who took me on a house tour. Their house is so pretty; the pictures on the website did not do it justice! It was also beautifully decorated for their philanthropy theme and the refreshments were very good and fancy! I also passed by Kim, a freshman who lives on my floor and joined Millie in the fall. I LOVE this chapter! The girls are very sincere. I definitely want to go back.

Next, we went to 42nd Street. I don't know too much about this chapter, other than what their website says and knowing Katie from class. I met Cheryl, and we did the philanthropy project together. She was funny and really easy to talk to. I met Kelly, who took me on the house tour. I liked Kelly, even though she was slightly awkward, but in a good way, like she was ok with being awkward; she can laugh at herself. Kind of hard to explain. I also ran into Heather, who I went to high school with for a year (my school had a magnet program and she did it for a year), so it was cool seeing her. (I didn't know that she went here, or that she pledged 42nd Street.) Overall, I like 42nd Street. I don't love them, but I would like to go back.

At Oklahoma, I felt so uncomfortable. The girl was showing me a scrapbook, and I asked why the pages were paper clipped together. “Are there a lot of Rho Gams on those pages?” “No,” she said, “Just alcohol.” I forgot to mention this, but I don’t drink, and I wanted to find a chapter that was cool with that. I got the vibe that Oklahoma was really into partying. I also noticed that every girl I met was from Long Island. I felt no connection. Their philanthropy activity was fun though, and they served hot chocolate!

At The Sound of Music, I barely remember anything except very awkward, forced conversation, talking about the cook and the food at their chapter house. The girl I was talking to had to join with another sister and PNM to get conversation going. There was absolutely no connection.

Finally, the last chapter of the night. The Producers. A lot of girls in my group are excited to go here. When the doors opened at The Producers, all I saw was blonde after blonde. Scary. I talked to a brunette first though, Ashley. She seemed pretty normal. Their chapter house is absolutely gorgeous. Definitely different from all the others, and it is my favorite so far. It looks like a home. The girls I met were pretty cool though, not stuck up like I expected from a "popular" chapter. I liked Alie, who is from New Jersey. She seemed very smart but still has the Jersey attitude that I have come to know and love. She kind of reminds me of my best friend from high school, Jessie, who joined The Producers at her school. Overall, though, I don't know that I would fit in here. I'd like to come back, but I expect to get cut.

As if I didn't freak out enough today, I noticed that I had one calling card left in my pile. I was convinced that I forgot to give it to Thoroughly Modern Millie, and I got really upset because I thought they wouldn't invite me back because of it.

Despite the rough start and the calling card issue, I had a good night tonight. I am definitely sure I want to go Greek, live in the house, and be very involved with my chapter, whichever one I end up joining. I had a good time at 5 of the 7 chapters I went to. My favorites from tonight are Anything Goes and Thoroughly Modern Millie. I like Hairspray, 42nd Street, and The Producers ok. I didn't like Oklahoma or The Sound of Music.

[susan314]

Well I'm rooting for Thoroughly Modern Millie then. If you can fall in love with a chapter that people have tried to fill your head with negative things about, then I suspect you felt a really strong connection there. Go Millie!.

[dgdramadawg]

Anything, Anything, Anything GOOOOOOOOOOOEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSS!

(I mean, I like Millie, too, but AG is one of my all-time favorite shows.)

[CZAXOTerp]

Even though I went through rush @ UMD ages and ages ago I still have a hunch on some of these houses!!!

Some of the comments could have been from my in 1994!

[violetpretty]

"Tomorrow" I visit the next 7 chapters:

Chicago
Rent
Wicked
Hello, Dolly!
West Side Story
Phantom of the Opera
Les Miserables

[AnatraAmore]

....and...??? lol, update! How did those visits go?