I needed to share my rush experience/dilemma and thought to come here. Thanks in advance for reading!
I'll start by saying that I first became excited about rush my senior year of high school. The idea of a group of wonderful friends, social events all the time, and philanthropy absolutely excited me. There was no way I was NOT going to rush.
Two weeks before I was to start college, I found out I had a very rare, very serious medical issue. There were no symptoms and on the outside, you could not tell anything was wrong with me. I almost was not going to attend college this year because of it, but thankfully was able to.
As the first semester of my freshman year went on, I became even more strongly in favor of rushing. So many great girls I knew were in sororities and I saw the benefits of being in one even more.
Winter break came along and I had to go immediately into surgery because of my medical issue. I was not supposed to attend spring semester and therefore, not to rush. But, I recovered miraculously fast. The surgeon gave the go ahead for school and a few days before rush was to start, said ok to me rushing. I was OVERJOYED. I cannot explain how much of a miracle it was that I was able to first, attend school and second, to go through rush!
So then rush came. I told myself to keep an open mind about houses, even though I already had some preconceived notions since I knew some girls in houses. The first round's results came in. I was cut from my favorite house. I was so sad! But, I knew to keep an open mind and I still had plenty of options open. Second round's results came in. I was cut from every house I liked and most of the houses I had left, I had cut at one point or another. I wanted to drop out of rush, but my Rho Gamma convinced me to stay. I continued to keep an open mind about the houses and started to even like some a little. Third round's results came in. I was left with the two houses I liked the least. I felt like I was being forced to join one of the houses, because I had cut it every single round!
Anyway, I did not get bid and considering that I didn't feel comfortable at any house I had left, that was probably for the best. But, let me explain how devastated I was. I just had extensive surgery and went through recovery practically alone. Not many of my friends knew about my situation and the ones that did, did not provide much support. What I really needed at that moment was a group of friends that would support me. Because of the surgery, I was left with permanent damage. Again, you could never tell on the outside, but I could tell and didn't know how to deal with it. (I also didn't tell anyone at school and no one throughout rush...eventually I had to tell friends at school since I was still recovering from surgery). So, I needed support. I also couldn't understand why I had not received a bid. I don't mean to sound self-righteous, but I have always been pretty confident about myself. I go to a great school, so grades were never an issue. I have a really interesting major, so I'm definitely not boring! I get along with pretty much everyone and am pretty well-liked. And I've always felt good about my looks. So honestly, I was a bit surprised when I didn't get a bid! My friends were surprised too. I have a really secluded living situation and very small major, so I hadn't made GREAT friends yet (and still really haven't!) So, I was counting on a sorority to help.
After I got over not receiving a bid (which was very difficult since most of my friends are in houses and big/little weeks were terrible to go through as a non-Greek), I set about exploring my options. There is fall rush and formal rush again. Let me share my thoughts.
Fall Rush: There is a sorority recolonizing here and I would be interested in checking it out. However, I have NO clue if I would be comfortable/fit in with the types of sisters the house is looking to recruit. Since it is new on campus, and I'm not sure if I want to deal with stereotypes of a new house. (It would be easier to join a house with no/good stereotypes, you know?) I'm not sure if other houses are doing fall rush since this one will be recognizing, but I've done a bit of research and most of the houses I like don't do fall rush. It's been rare that one that I liked did.
Formal Rush: First, I would be afraid that my first experience with rush would happen all over again. I would definitely not want that again! Second, I'm not sure I can! This year, my school did a trip for my major that took place partially during formal rush. They are hoping to do it again, and it's not an opportunity I can pass up. So, formal rush might not even be an option.
I just want to say thanks to those who have read some/all of my post. It was long, I know. :P And I probably still forgot things I wanted to say! I haven't really had the chance to share this with anyone. I'm really just looking for support and advice if there is any to give.
Thanks!
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