Rush Questions

orange_blue352 · #1 08-15-2010, 11:05 PM

Hello,
I am looking to join a fraternity in the fall (a few that I have in mind and those that I have hung out with over summer semester)
Just a few questions:
Is there a do/don't wear type deal for rush? I've been wearing clothes like Polo/A&Fitch/Lacoste/Aeropostale...is there certain things I shouldn't wear?
What are some topics to avoid when asking the brothers questions about the fraternity? I know topics like politics, religion, diseases/abortion are things to avoid but are there certain things I should ask them? Should I talk to them about my interests?
Does being a minority put me at a disadvantage? (See below)
As for me, I'm very into sports (mainly basketball and football), upper-middle class, asian, finance major, social/friendly, shy at first.
If you haven't figured out by username, I go to Florida
Thanks

JohnnyCash · #2 08-18-2010, 01:17 AM

It really depends on the type of chapter you want to join. If you're looking to join the larger, traditional, more "fratty" chapters then yes- wearing Abercrombie/Aeropostale will hurt your chances but you should be fine with Polo and Lacoste. As long as you aren't wearing anything from their more trendy lines (stay away from big graphics like this)

I would stick to conservative clothing at UF. Khaki shorts or slacks (depending on the event), solid color polos, button-ups, etc.

Being Asian might put you at a disadvantage depending on the chapter.

Just act natural and let the conversation flow. If you try too hard, it'll be obvious.

ETA: No cargo shorts!!

Elephant Walk · #3 08-18-2010, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyCash

ETA: No cargo shorts!!

Only jorts!

Although if you can pull off the cargo short/jort combo you might get bonus points.

JohnnyCash · #4 08-18-2010, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

Only jorts!

Although if you can pull off the cargo short/jort combo you might get bonus points.

Lol

33girl · #5 08-18-2010, 01:05 PM

You guys, after the weekend I've had, don't even joke about f-ing jorts.

Elephant Walk · #6 08-18-2010, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 33girl

You guys, after the weekend I've had, don't even joke about f-ing jorts.

Spend too much time at the Jersey Shore...

BTW, these were the shorts I was talking about

Rad.

Gusteau · #7 08-18-2010, 08:25 PM

If they had an elastic waistband they REALLY would have hit the trifecta of awesomely bad.

ScarletBlueGold · #8 08-19-2010, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orange_blue352

Hello,
I am looking to join a fraternity in the fall (a few that I have in mind and those that I have hung out with over summer semester)
Just a few questions:
Is there a do/don't wear type deal for rush? I've been wearing clothes like Polo/A&Fitch/Lacoste/Aeropostale...is there certain things I shouldn't wear?
What are some topics to avoid when asking the brothers questions about the fraternity? I know topics like politics, religion, diseases/abortion are things to avoid but are there certain things I should ask them? Should I talk to them about my interests?
Does being a minority put me at a disadvantage? (See below)
As for me, I'm very into sports (mainly basketball and football), upper-middle class, asian, finance major, social/friendly, shy at first.
If you haven't figured out by username, I go to Florida
Thanks

My advice would be that you keep the same style of dress that you normally would wear, but make sure it's some of your "nicer" stuff.

If you try too hard to dress like something you aren't, then you will probably send up giant red-flags.

Most importantly though, be CLEAN! Make sure you are showered, shaved, and your hair is well-kept. Nothing makes a PNM less desirable than long finger-nails or bad breath. Be the kind of guy the other Fraternities are going to want to put out to meet all of the sororities.

As for conversation topics, "Good Guys" tells recruiters to stick to the 5 "F's"

Friends/Family
From (Where you are from)
Fun (What you like to do for fun)
Favorites (Yours/His Favorite Foods/Places/Entertainment)
Firsts (First time experiences)

Check out this website for some great examples of each

http://www.deltasig.org/files/Five%2...ecruitment.pdf

If you haven't noticed so far. All of these are open-ended questions. Remember that everyone is their own favorite topic. Make it a point to be sure your questions can open up a story.

For example: The question "Where are you from?" has absolutely nowhere to go but down. However, the question "What was it like growing up in a small-town?" has a ton of opportunity in it.

(PS My favorite question to be asked by a PNM is: "Why did you join the Fraternity?")

As for the Asian thing. You don't want to be a part of a Fraternity that would discriminate against you for that.

lucgreek · #9 08-19-2010, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScarletBlueGold

Nothing makes a PNM less desirable than long finger-nails

I mean, I guess if they're absurdly long and cut someone when you handshake.

Seconding don't wear jorts. The north and south are united on this front.

AlphaFrog · #10 08-19-2010, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucgreek

Seconding don't wear jorts. The north and south are united on this front.

Except Jersey. It's ok to wear jorts in Jersey.*

*And by ok, I mean people won't make fun of you, because they're also wearing jorts...not ok, as in fashionably acceptable.

sigmahn173 · #11 08-24-2010, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

Except Jersey. It's ok to wear jorts in Jersey.*

*And by ok, I mean people won't make fun of you, because they're also wearing jorts...not ok, as in fashionably acceptable.

This is a lie. A lie. A lie.

It's NEVER okay to wear jorts, even in Jersey.

orange_blue352 · #12 08-25-2010, 09:24 PM

Thanks all for the replies.
One last question...how superficial is the fraternity recruitment at your schools? I'm a decent looking guy, very athletic, and pretty ripped (175 on bench and I weigh 145).

33girl · #13 08-19-2010, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucgreek

I mean, I guess if they're absurdly long and cut someone when you handshake.

Some guitar players I have known keep their nails longer than what would be considered normal for males. If that's the case, cut them for rush - they'll grow back.

And some people are just really bad about cutting their nails (fingers and toes).

KnightWolf · #14 01-27-2011, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orange_blue352

Hello,
I am looking to join a fraternity in the fall (a few that I have in mind and those that I have hung out with over summer semester)
Just a few questions:
Is there a do/don't wear type deal for rush? I've been wearing clothes like Polo/A&Fitch/Lacoste/Aeropostale...is there certain things I shouldn't wear?
What are some topics to avoid when asking the brothers questions about the fraternity? I know topics like politics, religion, diseases/abortion are things to avoid but are there certain things I should ask them? Should I talk to them about my interests?
Does being a minority put me at a disadvantage? (See below)
As for me, I'm very into sports (mainly basketball and football), upper-middle class, asian, finance major, social/friendly, shy at first.
If you haven't figured out by username, I go to Florida
Thanks

You should also consider the Multicultural Greek Council (MGC Council) at UF. The Council is a very close knit family mostly of greek sororities and fraternities. Accepting every single culture and every single race. Where being Asian is actually an Amazing Thing instead of a hindrance. I never understood that.

I can get objectively get you in contact with a couple of leaders in those organizations if your interested.

MysticCat · #15 01-27-2011, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnightWolf

You should also consider the Multicultural Greek Council (MGC Council) at UF. The Council is a very close knit family mostly of greek sororities and fraternities. Accepting every single culture and every single race. Where being Asian is actually an Amazing Thing instead of a hindrance. I never understood that.

I can get objectively get you in contact with a couple of leaders in those organizations if your interested.

Once again, you just might want to check the dates on the threads you keep bumping. This is post from last summer, so he's (presumably) already gone through rush.