An Indiana University Rush Story 2008-09

[I<3Starbucks!]

Yeah, I knew the dress warm part. Apparently we might get buses this year, but only to take people who have to go from third street to the very end of the North Jordan extension. I think that I'm going to get a pair of cute tennis shoes and then a cute scarf (because I actually need one) and then wear my peacoat. Our Rho Gamma said that she would come to our room and make sure our outfit was good if we wanted her to. And she said that we can bring a purse if we wanted, that people did. Is that true?

[Hoosierxgirl]

[violetpretty]

Originally Posted by Hoosierxgirl

Yeah I think I'm over-looking the December part of all this. lol The sad thing is, I dont have Uggs yet (christmas present)... But I'll find something! I didn't really know if they would be too casual. But I'm glad we have you since you have experience!! Thanks for the advice. Also about GPA, let's say you have a really high GPA. Is that a "stand-out" factor for the average person. So say someone has a 3.3 and someone else has a 3.7...will that at all help or is it just about making the cut-off?

Every chapter will have their own memership criteria and method of membership selection. Different chapters will have to cut different numbers of PNMs each round. These things will affect how much of a factor GPA plays.

What I can speculate, is that, across the board, a good GPA doesn't compensate for a bad personality/fit with the chapter. A good GPA can't hurt...but other things can. Some chapters might look at GPA as a threshold, considering PNMs equally based on other qualities after weeding out ones below a certain level. Others might consider higher better as one of many important factors when choosing members. It all depends.

[I<3Starbucks!]

Yeah, she read out them out loud. Some were general like, sorority girls are fake, slutty, like in legally blonde, etc. But then others were the sayings/ rhymes, like DZs are easy, etc, I don't really remember the others. It wasn't really that bad, it was almost cathartic, like getting rid of all the bad stereotypes before going into a rush experience. Some where so crazy, they were funny.

[Hoosierxgirl]

Yeah. That's what I expected. I guess it's just an individual chapter basis but I wasn't sure how big a factor it was. Thanks for your response!

[Blue Skies]

Good luck, Hoosierxgirl, and you, too, I<3Starbucks! I can't even begin to imagine what it's like to rush on a nineteen chapter campus. The thought is both thrilling and (forgive me) appalling, LOL!

Here are two ideas for keeping feet warm: (Battery) heated socks or thermal sock liners. Both are used by skiiers and mountaineers. Neither are very pretty, so you would have to have shoes that cover your socks. They work like a charm, though. I used to ski just wearing ultra-thin thermal sock liners.

[Hoosierxgirl]

Well my lovelies...Today is the day...19 party! I just wanted to make a quick update. I'm so excited and nervous! To top it off, they say it might snow...Very Cold!!! I'll keep you updated! Good luck I<3Starbucks and Hoosiergirl89 and to everyone else! This will be so much fun!

[Cutie_Hootie]

Originally Posted by Hoosierxgirl

Well my lovelies...Today is the day...19 party! I just wanted to make a quick update. I'm so excited and nervous! To top it off, they say it might snow...Very Cold!!! I'll keep you updated! Good luck I<3Starbucks and Hoosiergirl89 and to everyone else! This will be so much fun!

Good luck ladies!! Enjoy a lovely 19 party in the snow!! It is snowing hard here (hour away), so I know Bloomington is getting it too--Brrrr!

[AZ-AlphaXi]

My mom lives about 45 minutes north of Bloomington and she said this morning that
it was snowing hard there (So. Indy) and that it was probably snowing in Bloomington as well.

Can't imagine standing around in the snow waiting to go into a house for a recruitment party..

keep warm and have fun!!

[I<3Starbucks!]

Hey Everyone!! So, I have updates coming, I crashed last night right when I got back. But just checked in to let everyone know that today before our first house, the wind chill is supposed to make it feel 7 degrees!!! That's right, we're in single digits!!! Ahh, I so do NOT want to go out in the cold, but can't wait for the parties to start today!

[FSUZeta]

well, bundle up and carry chapstick! good luck to you.

[SWTXBelle]

It's like rush meets "Survivor - Arctic"! Stay warm . . .good luck!

[Hoosierxgirl]

Hello again! Yes--it is severely cold but the good news--no snow today. At least the snow was gorgeous yesterday... perfect snow flakes! The only bad part of the day was waiting outside the houses for 15 minutes but other than that, I had a blast and met so many amazing women! Updates to come later tonight after our last 9 houses. Could be late tonight, however, because I've got one last report to write.
Thanks for all your support and I can't wait for the second day to begin!!!

[BetteDavisEyes]

Well, good luck and stay warm! Think warm thoughts.

[Hoosierxgirl]

Well...I made it! Sorry it took so long but I had lots to do last night! 19 party is officially over which is both a relief and kind of sad! Over this weekend, I can honestly say I have met some truly amazing women in EVERY chapter.That said, I just want to comment that going through this stage of recruitment has really brought to light the idea of keeping an open mind. And even though I only spent 30 minutes at each house, I already know that all the stereotypes and negative things I've heard about each house are false and really serve no purpose in helping me decide. Also, our Rho Gammas have been awesome! Very funny and always doing crazy tihings to help us stay warm and happy. At almost all the houses, we had a brief house tour where the women explained the living situations for each chapter and also any additional facts about the sorority and then we settled down to talk with a few sisters...pretty standard as most recruitments go . With all that said, here is a recap of my 19 party weekend:

Day 1:
Saturday morning, we woke up to snow on the ground that was continuing to fall...so needless to say, it was a cold day Honestly though, it was cold, yes. Was it totally worth it? Of course.

Smacks- was were I started off which if you remember from an earlier post, I visited earlier in the year. I love this house and I had some pretty good conversations and felt like I clicked with the girls. I definitely wasn't ready for the fast paced convos but after a few houses, I really warmed up to the process.
Frosted Wheats- this house was nice and stood for a lot of things I'm about. They seem to focus on academics which is a plus but I didn't really get a chance to connect with anyone but I still thought the girls were nice.
Cinnimon Toast Crunch- I don't remember a ton about this house but I liked that the girls were very real and seemed interested in me. I didn't have an amazing connection but still liked the house.
Chex- These girls were very outgoing and seemed like a lot of fun! I felt very welcome and had lots in common with a few girls.
Kix- Unfortunately, this was my least favorite of the first five of the day. I just didn't feel a strong connection even though the girls were pretty nice.
Cocca Puffs- was my first house of the second half of the day. I absolutely loved it and found a lot in common with the girls I talked to! Definitely came out with a really good impression of a house that wasn't neccesarily on my radar to begin with.
Captain Crunch- Another house I didn't necessarily think I would fit in well at (just on what I had heard). Well, my mind was changed. The girls were so excited during their door chant and we struck up some good conversation. Totally changed my perspective on the house.
Cookie Crisp- House just wasn't for me. I couldn’t really see myself there and the conversation lulled a bit.
Apple Jacks- This house was pretty loud so conversation was hard to conduct but good for the most part. The girls I met were genuinely nice but I’m not sure how well I would fit just yet.
Corn Flakes- was my last house of the day and boy was I tired!!! The girls were nonetheless excited and enthusiastic as usual. The conversation seemed to flow well and was actually a little goofy at points which was a nice break from the usual.

Day 2

Trix- started off the second day. I didn’t feel like I could see myself in this house either because the conversation was very rehersed and nearly the same each rotation. The girls were nice but didn’t seem all that interested in me.
Cheerios- I really liked this house! The conversation was a little more intimate and personal because there were fewer rotations than other rounds. The girls were sweet and we found many things in common.
Raisin Bran- This house just didn’t click with me. The first person I spoke to just didn’t seem interested in being there (which is somewhat understandable as I’m sure they are just as tired as we are) and I didn’t really make a connection between our personalities. The conversation was just not as “deep”.
Honeycomb- I was really eager to see this house. After the visit, I left feeling ok with the house. Nothing really stood at to me as good or bad so I didn’t have a memorable opinion.
Lucky Charms- This was the house I FIRST saw when I came for my campus visit and I fell in love …but meeting the girls was so much better! I had three distinctly different conversations that were all meaningful and memorable to me. The house seemed to exude a comfortable, welcoming feel to me and I really hope I get the chance to go back and see more!
Special K- Two in a row!! This house also blew me away. Conversation was just natural and there was just a “homey” feeling about the house. The girls were sweet and it was just a really exciting experience.
Alpha Bits- was just ok. I didn’t not like it or like it really. The personalities just didn’t click for me.
Fruity Pebbles- I had one of the funniest conversations at this house! Girls just seemed relaxed and easy-going which I liked. They seemed to really enjoy their sisterhood.
Golden Grahams- I was truly amazed by how passionate these girls were about their sorority. So much excitement and fun! The conversation went well and so I liked the house pretty much!

andddd, here's how I ranked them! Only 13-19 really matter so most of my 1-12 is interchangable:

Lucky Charms
Special K
Cocca Puffs
Chex
Smacks
Cheerios
Fruity Pebbles
Corn Flakes
Captain Crunch
Cinnimon Toast Crunch
Golden Grahams
Apple Jacks

Honeycomb
Alpha Bits
Kix
Frosted Wheats
Raisin Bran
Cookie Crisp
Trix

Well...I'll be back in January to let you know my schedule for 12 party and how that all goes! Until then, its finals and Winter Break! Thanks for all your support and I can't wait to finish out the process...I've already learned so much and met some awesome women! Also, I like that I<3Starbucks is on this thread too so I hope its not too confusing... At least we have different code names?? lol sorry guys! Enjoy!