JessSigKap's Retro UMD Recruitment

[violetpretty]

So today, "Friday", is the second day of the first round. LaRhonda, Annie's Rho Gamma buddy, told us to meet her at the Armory because Annie will be gone on an OA (orientation) retreat and will not be here for this weekend. I noticed a lot of PNMs were wearing dressy jean outfits for this round, so I decided to wear nice jeans with a black 3/4 sleeve wrap shirt, the black wedge boots, and some silver jewelry. I feel much more confident now that I know what to expect and I even thought of questions I can ask members if conversation lulls.

I met LaRhonda at the Armory, and she hands me my nametag and my pile of calling cards. I notice that there are only 6, so that's very reassuring that Annie gave me 8 the first night instead of me forgetting to give Millie my card. I asked LaRhonda how much of a big deal it was and she said not to worry. Seriously, after being a Rho Gamma, I realized how insignificant the things were. I mean, we take attendance at each party. The chapters know who comes through the doors.

First, we went to Chicago. Their house is HUGE and stunning. Again, I always seem to be the one to step to the front of the line. I was excited to go here, because I had heard good things about them. That changed when I met Liz. She told me that she literally just got to the house and was a little flustered, so I told her what happened to me yesterday and she didn't laugh about it. She just sort of stared at me. I tried coming up with conversation, asking her about the philanthropy and her interests. Turns out we both dance; I like tap, and Liz likes jazz (funny how I named them Chicago). When we were doing the philanthropy activity, I couldn't get the glue to hold the things together and I felt like she was judging me. So then we got up and went on a house tour. I am wondering why I am still only talking to her. Shouldn't I be talking to someone else by now? Probably she wasn't in any sort of group since she was running late and they weren't counting on her. So we start up the stairs on a house tour and Liz asks me about my winter break, if I went on vacation anywhere. Her tone made me uncomfortable, as if the "right" answer would be, "Oh yes, my family goes every year to Bali." Anyways, their house is amazing. I told her I definitely want to live in the house of whichever sorority I join. No enthusiasm. So, Liz and I walk into a single that I am drooling over. This girl has a leopard print rug, pink tulle draped over her bed on the wall, and this cool sequined dress tacked to the wall. I got to meet the girl who lives there, Aly. She was awesome! I asked her if by any chance she likes Betsey Johnson, since her room looks like a boutique. Aly said that she just wrote a paper about her and we talked about that for a little while. Except Liz wasn't really involved in the conversation and awkwardly tried to get me out of the room. Then it was time to go and Liz used slightly more force than was necessary to guide me to the door. I wanted to like Chicago. I liked Aly, but Liz was pretty rude to me. I felt like I didn't get to meet enough women in Chicago. I would like to go back to see if Liz was a fluke.

Rent was largely forgettable. I met one girl named Elaine, who was from Boston. We just talked about how much we both like Boston. We were working on the philanthropy activity (which involved puffy paint) and I got some paint on my arm. I asked her where the bathroom was so I could wash it off and she gave me a funny look like I was trying to snub them. Rent seems to have a good mix of Jewish and non-Jewish girls and they seem pretty involved, both of which are reasons why I was excited to see this chapter, but I just didn't connect with Elaine. I wouldn't mind going back though to meet more sisters.

Next was Wicked. I could tell the chapter is very diverse, which, by now is something I decided I want in a sorority. Not everyone is a size 2. I met Michele, who had a really cute nose ring and black streaks in her blond hair. (She looked kind of like a non-trashy Christina Aguilera with a normal person’s body). I thought this might be my sort of chapter because they were unconventional sorority women. Caitlin did the philanthropy activity with me and we talked about Dance Marathon, which sounds like a lot of fun. Teresa, one of the girls who lived in my room the previous semester, was recruitment chair and I said hi to her. Wicked painted the halls of their bedroom floors in their colors. I loved it! Every girl I met was different, yet I clicked with all of them.

The next chapter we visited was Hello, Dolly! Lots of PNMs are excited to go here. Kelly (from high school) waved to me when I walked in. I didn't really click with anyone here. I met Lauren, and she wasn't very talkative. I started talking about Kelly, isn't she great blah blah blah. I met Keemia and Vicki, who were much more enthusiastic and talkative, which helped me feel more at ease from my awkward conversation with Lauren, but I didn't really feel a connection. I am not crazy about Hello, Dolly!, but I don't hate them.

West Side Story. Wow. I went in with a blank slate and came out appalled. Both of the girls who I met were completely braindead and pretty much only interested in partying. One girl, Sarah, was like “We’re really chill and we just like to drink. Do you have a fake?” During the house tour, we went into one sister’s room and there was a poster of James Dean, and Sarah asked me if James Dean was dead. Then, Sarah couldn’t remember their philanthropy, and she asked her sister what the West Side Story Foundation does, and as fate would have it, she didn’t know either. After we left, some PNMs are saying that this chapter hazes really badly. I wrote a big gigantic “NO” in my booklet for West Side Story.

Phantom of the Opera was okay. Their chapter house is pretty. I saw Karen and she was surprised to see that I was going through recruitment. I didn’t really connect with anyone though, since most conversation didn’t go past “What’s your major?” I talked about how I was thinking about adding education as a major (I'm a bio major) to teach high school, since I met Michelle, who was an education major herself. At least three times I started to say something and then forgot my story halfway through. Michelle must have thought I was a total flake, but I was really just tired since it was getting late (or maybe it was contagious from being at West Side Story). When I went on a house tour, one sister complimented my haircut. (My hair is bobbed.) I wouldn't mind going back here, but it's not my favorite. I think LaRhonda is definitely in Phantom.

Les Miserables, last party. I felt bad because I knew that this was a Jewish chapter and other girls in my Rho Gamma group were being little twits because it was the last chapter of the night and round and they knew they wouldn’t pledge a Jewish chapter, so they wanted to be rude so they wouldn’t have to go back. I decided I would be inquisitive and at least give them a chance. They seemed really nice and were talkative even though it was the last party, but conversation didn’t get very deep. They talked about how their pledge class (Spring 03) is really close, and how they all live in the house this year. I thought that was kind of sweet. I wouldn't mind going back to Les Miserables since the girls were really nice, but I don't think I fit.

The only chapter I really liked tonight was Wicked. I would like to go back to Phantom, Chicago, and Rent, even though they were only ok. West Side Story was my absolute least favorite; I wouldn't pledge there in a million years.

Overall, Anything Goes and Thoroughly Modern Millie are my two favorites, with Wicked at a close second, and Chicago, 42nd Street, The Producers, Hairspray, and Phantom of the Opera in a close third. I am open to most of the chapters.

Tomorrow, I get my invites back for skit round. We can go to up to 8 chapters, and we can decide which ones we want to go to if we get more than 8. I am so excited that I will probably be the first one at the Union tomorrow!

[susan314]

I am loving the "full detail" version - you are too funny! (the non-trashy Christina Aguilera comment cracked me up, as did many of your observations)

I'm still rooting for Millie, but Wicked is right up there too.

[AOE2AlphaPhi]

I'm loving this thread! I think I know who West Side Story is though, and it makes me sad. I'm rooting for Anything Goes or Wicked!

[violetpretty]

I just got my invite list!

Thoroughly Modern Millie
Hairspray
Wicked
42nd Street
Oklahoma
Les Miserables
Anything Goes
The Producers

I am ecstatic that I am going back to Anything Goes and Millie (and also relieved about the calling card issue). I have plenty of chapters that I like on this list other than my top two, though, including Hairspray, Wicked, 42nd Street and The Producers. The only one I am not so thrilled about is Oklahoma, but again, I have a full schedule and I like pretty much every other chapter that I will be seeing.

I am a little disappointed about not getting invited back to Chicago because I really like Aly, but I wouldn't want to be Liz's sister, so I guess it is for the best. I connected with one girl but the chapter is not for me. I would've liked to go back to Phantom and Rent, but I'll definitely live since I got my favorites!

Those out of the running in no particular order:
Alpha Omicron Pi
Phi Sigma Sigma
Delta Phi Epsilon
Alpha Phi
Kappa Alpha Theta
Delta Delta Delta

I will not be saying who is who, since I don't want any hurt feelings. If your GLO is above, there is just a 1/6 chance that you were West Side Story and you don't need to know. (And neither do PNMs at UMD!)

[jennie3576]

sorry to be clueless, but, could you please explain the philanthropy activities to me? we didn't include philanthropy into rush when i was there, and as far as i know they still don't. Don't get me wrong - we all talked about our philanthropies, but no activities!

[mystikchick]

go millie!

seriously though, your friend richard should be ignored at all costs. good for you for not listening to him! silly boys.

/random aside
it's not even june yet, how are the addicts around here going to make it that long? people dig around for your notes, please!

[violetpretty]

During philanthropy round, we learn about a chapter's philanthropy and then do an activity to support it. Or, they may be working on another project not necessarily related to their national philanthropy.

An example: Sigma Kappa's philanthropy is Alzheimer's disease research and gerontology (the study of aging). We visit nursing homes several times a semester. This past spring during recruitment, members and PNMs made Valentine's day cards for the residents of the nursing homes.

[violetpretty]

Just to point out, all six of the chapters out of the running have a foundation, so don't think that because a sister mentioned the West Side Story Foundation that it is any particular sorority.

aoiifoundation.org
tridelta.org/foundation
phisigmasigmafoundation.org
alphaphi.org/foundation
dphie.org/foundation
kappaalphatheta.org/foundation

It is my understanding that when a chapter has a philanthropy event, the money they raise goes to their foundation, and then the foundation divides all of their money to the causes they support, educational programs for the chapters, emergency disaster funds for sisters, other noteworthy causes that aren't necessarily the national philanthropy (ie. Hurricane Katrina distaster relief) etc. At least that is how Sigma Kappa's foundation works.

ETA: Although I had a really bad experience at West Side Story during recruitment, I know that not every member of the chapter is like the 2 girls that I met. I got to know one of their past presidents, who by the way, is VERY smart, worked with another West Side Story on the extension committee, and one of the girls in my buddy's group went West Side Story this spring and she is the cutest, goofiest girl ever. I now see that it was probably a result of these girls being poorly prepared for recruitment (it was their first FR on the sister side), but they just left a bad initial impression. I respect the chapter now and I have tremendous respect for West Side Story on a National/International level.

[dgdramadawg]

Your West Side Story description made me laugh out loud, jesssigkap!

I'm still rooting for Anything Goes because it's a funnier show than Millie. Just don't tell me you pledge Oklahoma or Les Mis...

[ClassicBeauty]

Originally Posted by PinkBabygirl10

Me too, especially because I had a similar experience. I remember at one chapter, these two girls were showing me their scrapbook. All they could talk about was how much they loved to party, go to bars, etc. They all asked me if I had a fake, and they said, "Oh, it doesn't matter. There are plenty of people you could find here that would let you use their ID. That's what I love about being in a sorority!!!" And then I remember there were actually a couple of pictures in the scrapbook that weren't of them partying (of course, the red cups, bottles, etc. were covered up with stickers ), and one of the girls said something like, "Umm... this is one of our philanthropy events, right?" And the other girl was like, "Um... yeah... I think... I don't know, whatever, it doesn't matter. Philanthropy's stupid," and the first girl was like, "Yeah, I know. Whatever, this isn't important. I don't even know what our philanthropy is, do you?"

Ugh. What did you say back? Hopefully I wont have to experience this.

[lindz0722]

i'm curious to see where DG ends up in this story!

[violetpretty]

Originally Posted by lindz0722

i'm curious to see where DG ends up in this story!

I think it should be pretty obvious to you which one is your chapter

[violetpretty]

SKIT ROUND

We had to be at the Armory at 8am, which was rough, but I was so excited that I really didn’t care, kind of like when you wake up early on Christmas morning. I noticed that many chapters were putting us in ABC order, but had no idea why.

· I fell in love with Anything Goes again. I felt that it was a diverse chapter and that girls had similar values to mine. The skit was absolutely hilarious.

· I met some nice girls at Hairspray but I wasn’t like “WOW.” I liked their skit because it showed that they were down-to-earth and not afraid to be goofy.

· Les Miserables was awkward this time around. It was pretty obvious to me and the sisters I met that I did not belong here. The skit was so weird and scary.

· My opinion of Thoroughly Modern Millie really changed during skit round. I loved them so much during philanthropy round and before recruitment, but during skit round, I felt like they were trying to sell me their chapter instead of just talk. They seemed so much less enthusiastic than other chapters. I decided I did not want to be in a chapter with low morale. I talked to Kim who lived on my hall and just pledged as a freshman. She was acting kind of weird. Then, met April, a cute girl with strawberry blonde hair flipped out and a southern accent. She was really cool. Although I liked April, I just felt odd at Thoroughly Modern Millie during this party.

· I absolutely loved 42nd Street! I met this girl Sarah, who likes theater and punk music. We also talked about how big of dorks we were because we both just really like learning. I saw Katie and said hi to her. I talked to Liz, who introduced me to Amy. I read Amy's name tag and said "Hi Amy" while I was shaking her hand, and then she said "Hi, I'm Jess" because she was reading my name tag. It could have been awkward but it felt totally fine. Every girl I met was so different, and I began to think, hey, this bunch is like my friends from high school. Athletes, drama kids, punk kids, nerds (I use the term endearingly), yet they’re all friends. I saw Cheryl and she said hi before the skit. Their skit was hilarious too. Everyone was so full of energy and truly seemed excited to meet me.

· I felt so awkward at Oklahoma. I felt so uncomfortable with the girl I was talking to that I was picking at the fringe on the couch pillows while she was explaining that “Oklahoma didn’t try to sell themselves to her.”

· I was shocked to get invited to The Producers. This one PNM was talking about how she borrowed her friend’s pearls to wear to The Producers so she would look like she fit in. Major turn off. Once I got inside, the food was delicious! They had this spinach artichoke dip and little trout and salmon hors d’oeuvres. I didn’t really click with the girls though. Although I like Alie from last time, I don't think this is where I fit.

· I liked Wicked a lot. I met this girl Morgan, who went to high school near me. We had a lot in common as far as music goes, and she was really chill and real. We also had a common friend, who is currently going through recruitment at UPenn. I also got to talk to Erica, the other girl who lived in my room, and Teresa for a little bit. Again, I was impressed by the diversity and the genuine conversation. The skit was just ok, but the important thing was that I liked the girls I met here.

At this point, I can really see myself in Anything Goes. They are my favorite! I also like 42nd Street and Wicked a lot too.

[Leslie Anne]

I am so loving this thread! As a fellow Terp, I think I've got about 3/4 of them figured out. But then things may have really changed over the last 20 years, so who knows.

I'm rooting for Anything Goes and 42nd Street!!!

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by JessSigKap

SKIT ROUND

· I fell in love with Anything Goes again. I felt that it was a diverse chapter and that girls had similar values to mine. The skit was absolutely hilarious.


· I absolutely loved 42nd Street! I met this girl Sarah, who likes theater and punk music. We also talked about how big of dorks we were because we both just really like learning. I saw Katie and said hi to her. I talked to Liz, who introduced me to Amy. I read Amy's name tag and said "Hi Amy" while I was shaking her hand, and then she said "Hi, I'm Jess" because she was reading my name tag. It could have been awkward but it felt totally fine. Every girl I met was so different, and I began to think, hey, this bunch is like my friends from high school. Athletes, drama kids, punk kids, nerds (I use the term endearingly), yet they’re all friends. I saw Cheryl and she said hi before the skit. Their skit was hilarious too. Everyone was so full of energy and truly seemed excited to meet me.

I'm surprised you have Anything Goes above 42nd Street! With all the description of your time at 42nd Street, I thought for sure they'd be your first! Go figure...you never know what's in a PNMs head!