Yay! I'm just glad someone wants to read. I hope I didn't scare too many readers away with the old dead poets
Our rush begins about three weeks into the fall semester. Near the very beginning of school, the PNMs meet in a large group with all the Gamma Chis and go over rush packets. We were told that for the first day of recruitment, Open House, we were to wear our Recruitment t-shirts w a jean skirt or khaki skirt/pants. I had my outfit all picked out and was ready to go. Then our Gamma Chis tell us that, no, we are not to wear our recruitment t-shirts. What? The PNMs were freaking out! They had changed several of the clothing rules on us and we were in a frenzy to look perfect.
Before
Open House, we gathered in a group with our personal Gamma Chis and floormates. My floor was divided up into two sections and sadly nope many girls from my section were rushing, not even my roommate! I didn't know many of the girls but I did meet a few that seemed fun and outgoing. I wore a light green polo shirt, jean skirt, and lacoste shoes. I felt like my outfit looked nice until I saw three girls come into the meeting dressed in what I'll simply call "clubbing outfits". With their black pants, sparkly tube tops, and silver heels, they looked a little more
After Party than
Open House. My outfit, I suddenly decided, was not right. Before walking to the sorority lodges, I told my Gamma Chi I was concerned about my outfit. She gave me a knowing look and replied, "No,
you're fine." Whew.
It's off to the lodges! Despite Open House being a "relaxed" day, the afternoon was a blur.
First was
Plath. As I expected, the girls were all attractive and well spoken. I was impressed by how down to earth my rusher was. Were these actually the cool, laid-back girls? I wasn't sure. She complimented my outfit and I suddenly felt better. Our conversation ran smoothly. The entire group of actives were so lively! I wondered, still, if I was a
Plath. I'm shy and these girls are so confident!
Next was
T.S. Eliot. Yep, these girls were friendly! Everyone was so genuine. A sophomore girl I'd meet at a newspaper meeting rushed me. She was intelligent, sort of artsy, and hilarious. Despite my nerves, I could tell she truly liked me. It surprised me that rush was just as much about the girls trying to "make" us like them! I felt like I could fit in here easily.
It's time for
Yeats. I had no idea what to expect! So, of course, I expected the unexpected. My rusher was a sweet, shy girl. Our conversation did not flow well but I could see the actives all really cared about each other. The house included a wide range of girls. Did they lack unity? Or were they open minded? I wasn't sure.
Last but not least, is
Dylan Thomas. Walking into the lodge, I saw the girl I had stayed with as a prospective student. She quickly reminded me of her name (as if I would forget!). The house ran like clock work. Each active seemed to know what she was doing and where she was going. I couldn't see the personality of the house yet but I knew the girls were organized, and driven. Truth be told that sounded a lot like me!
Open house was other and I was more confused than ever. I'd been told each house had a personality but what were they? And where was the newspaper editor? We had such a strong connection but I was so tired and confused, I couldn't even remember where I'd seen her!
I talked to a few of my PNM friends. I kept mum about my true feelings but gathered that many were already choosing between
Yeats and
Eliot.
Thomas was too "smart" they said.
Plath, the most confident house, seemed under the radar. Still, I overheard a few girls talking about how
Plath was their favorite house. Did I even have a favorite yet, I wondered.
Next was
Philanthropy Night, the cuts begin and my feelings really began to change...