My (mostly) live COB recruitment!

[prettyv]

I realize COB recruitment threads aren't as fun as Formal Recruitment ones, but I really want to talk to people about it! I am the first female in my family to go to college, so no one understands greek life at all. My friends all went to smaller colleges or didn't rush so when I try to talk to them I get "Well, why don't you just join? Do you just pay them? What's the point? Have you been paddled yet, hehe?" Or other.. dumb questions. So I'll catch you up on the events I've been to so far and then hopefully update you with what's going on after that... Some things I'm going to leave purposely vague (I've lurked around lately enough to realize there's probably active sisters ON the board) but I'll reveal if everything works out

I'll give a bit of background information... I really really wanted to go through FR. I spend the summer working out, buying appropriate recruitment outfits, researching the chapters, reading GC and all the rush threads, and getting ridiculously excited. And then they announced the recruitment dates. 2 of the events landed on the weekend of my BFFs wedding, which was about a 14 hour drive away. I called the greek life office and they basically said "You must attend all events to join" so I was CRUSHED. I couldn't miss my friend's wedding, I was a bridesmaid and this was planned like, 2 years in advance. I left my name with them in case there were any COB events... But they never told me about any. I mean,I know there were a few because I overheard some of the girls talking about them in some of my classes but I guess they were invite only?

Anyway, FINALLY, a few weeks ago, a girl I knew from high school, who was a member of XYZ (let's call her Sue), invited me to an event! I was so excited and ridiculously nervous! I really liked the sounds of the sorority (from what little information you can really get from a webpage) and I knew Sue was a very nice girl.

The morning of the event, I thought I might pass out. I was soo nervous. I'm a really shy person, who warms up well, but I have been told I come off "snobby" sometimes. So I was trying to get myself into a good, smiley, totally approachable mood when I got an email from Sue. She wouldn't be able to attend but she hoped I had fun. Holy crap. My nerves soared. I wouldn't know a soul there. I almost cancelled I was so scared but my lovely boyfriend shoved me out the door and told me to stop being ridiculous.

I'm glad I went! I had such a good time! I felt like I had known some of the girls for AGES, we clicked so well. I'd say 98% of the girls were just AMAZING, with the other 2% just "not my type" of people. One of the girls said something really awkward about their reputation on campus... It really shocked me and caught me off guard. I can't remember what exactly I said back but I used "we" when I totally meant "them". If I knew where the bathroom was I would've left to go rip out my tongue. I felt like I just said "When we get married..." on a first date. I thought about going back to correct myself but I didn't want to draw more attention or say something MORE stupid... I hope she didn't notice but she did look at me strange. If she did notice I sure hope she attributed it to nerves and not me being a psychopath.

At the end of the night, one of the girls invited me to hang out with a couple more of them a few days from then. I wasn't sure if this was an official "recruitment" event, but that wasn't that important to me. One of the reasons I wanted to join a sorority was to have some more female friends so I was happy to be invited!

I left practically dancing my way home. If they liked me HALF as much as I liked them I was sure I'd be invited back!

More to come...

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by prettyv

I realize COB recruitment threads aren't as fun as Formal Recruitment ones, but I really want to talk to people about it! I am the first female in my family to go to college, so no one understands greek life at all. My friends all went to smaller colleges or didn't rush so when I try to talk to them I get "Well, why don't you just join? Do you just pay them? What's the point? Have you been paddled yet, hehe?" Or other.. dumb questions. So I'll catch you up on the events I've been to so far and then hopefully update you with what's going on after that... Some things I'm going to leave purposely vague (I've lurked around lately enough to realize there's probably active sisters ON the board) but I'll reveal if everything works out

I'll give a bit of background information... I really really wanted to go through FR. I spend the summer working out, buying appropriate recruitment outfits, researching the chapters, reading GC and all the rush threads, and getting ridiculously excited. And then they announced the recruitment dates. 2 of the events landed on the weekend of my BFFs wedding, which was about a 14 hour drive away. I called the greek life office and they basically said "You must attend all events to join" so I was CRUSHED. I couldn't miss my friend's wedding, I was a bridesmaid and this was planned like, 2 years in advance. I left my name with them in case there were any COB events... But they never told me about any. I mean,I know there were a few because I overheard some of the girls talking about them in some of my classes but I guess they were invite only?

Anyway, FINALLY, a few weeks ago, a girl I knew from high school, who was a member of XYZ (let's call her Sue), invited me to an event! I was so excited and ridiculously nervous! I really liked the sounds of the sorority (from what little information you can really get from a webpage) and I knew Sue was a very nice girl.

The morning of the event, I thought I might pass out. I was soo nervous. I'm a really shy person, who warms up well, but I have been told I come off "snobby" sometimes. So I was trying to get myself into a good, smiley, totally approachable mood when I got an email from Sue. She wouldn't be able to attend but she hoped I had fun. Holy crap. My nerves soared. I wouldn't know a soul there. I almost cancelled I was so scared but my lovely boyfriend shoved me out the door and told me to stop being ridiculous.

I'm glad I went! I had such a good time! I felt like I had known some of the girls for AGES, we clicked so well. I'd say 98% of the girls were just AMAZING, with the other 2% just "not my type" of people. One of the girls said something really awkward about their reputation on campus... It really shocked me and caught me off guard. I can't remember what exactly I said back but I used "we" when I totally meant "them". If I knew where the bathroom was I would've left to go rip out my tongue. I felt like I just said "When we get married..." on a first date. I thought about going back to correct myself but I didn't want to draw more attention or say something MORE stupid... I hope she didn't notice but she did look at me strange. If she did notice I sure hope she attributed it to nerves and not me being a psychopath.

At the end of the night, one of the girls invited me to hang out with a couple more of them a few days from then. I wasn't sure if this was an official "recruitment" event, but that wasn't that important to me. One of the reasons I wanted to join a sorority was to have some more female friends so I was happy to be invited!

I left practically dancing my way home. If they liked me HALF as much as I liked them I was sure I'd be invited back!

More to come...

Excited to hear it!

[FSUZeta]

yes,

i hope that this has as happy an ending as it seems it will.

[RaggedyAnn]

I'm looking forward to hearing your story. Good luck!
(and please update us often...to me, that's what makes a recruitment thread fun. )

[prettyv]

Thank you, everyone

My second "date" was very casual. There were only 4 sisters and me, out for coffee and a school pep rally. I was a little late to meet them because a midterm I had ran late... I was panicking a bit and played some phone tag while speed walking around trying to find where I was supposed to meet them. I had a lot of fun laughing with the sisters and cheering. There was a huge rainstorm that came at the end of the night which made me look like a horrible drowned rat by the end! The other sisters didn't look so hot either so I hope that didn't matter.

Note to self: BUY WATERPROOF MASCARA.

I know COB is supposed to be informal by nature, but it seems.. SO casual... I mean, we didn't talk at all about XYZ this night and only a little bit on the first night. I don't know what to think! Should I be bringing it up and asking questions or just hanging out and getting to know them like any other friend? I want them to know I'm interested in joining without coming across as pushy or too forward... I love my mom's advice: "Why don't you just ask for a bid?"

I have my next event tomorrow, so I'll let you know how it all goes

[CougarGrad]

Originally Posted by prettyv

Note to self: BUY WATERPROOF MASCARA.

I love my mom's advice: "Why don't you just ask for a bid?"

The first sentence is quoted because it made me smile. That's great advice for the advice thread we have here somewhere.

The second sentence is quoted because it also made me smile and think, "Bless mom's little heart."

Remember that the sisters are getting to know you, and hanging out and doing fun things with you is something that doesn't happen during formal recruitment. You can make opportunities to talk about XYZ-specific things at your next events- or someone may even ask you what questions you have. They know that you don't get a "philanthropy day slide show/talk/etc" since you're going through COB, so I wouldn't sweat it at this point.

You sound like you're having a lot of fun! Good luck!!

[FSUZeta]

yay you! sounds like it is going well.

[lovespink88]

Something is really drawing me into this one... I'm excited to hear more!

LOL @ your mom's suggestion. My parents are pretty Greek clueless as well.

[sky&sea]

It's really exciting to hear a COB story (I was a COB myself). It can be really nerve wracking!

I love my mom's advice: "Why don't you just ask for a bid?"

One of the reasons my mom supported my decision to rush was so I'd have people to watch Grey's Anatomy with.

[PsychTau]

Originally Posted by prettyv

I know COB is supposed to be informal by nature, but it seems.. SO casual... I mean, we didn't talk at all about XYZ this night and only a little bit on the first night. I don't know what to think!

This is exactly how COB is supposed to go (any recruitment really, but Formal makes this difficult). You are supposed to be getting to know the women personally because they might be your sisters someday. They want to see if you have the qualities they are looking for in a sister. The info about the chapter will come out during the conversation..don't worry! Don't be afraid to ask about their chapter activities if it feels natural during the conversation, but don't be too pushy either. Just stay relaxed!

Good luck! Can't wait to hear what happens next!

PsychTau

[prettyv]

Originally Posted by PsychTau

This is exactly how COB is supposed to go (any recruitment really, but Formal makes this difficult). You are supposed to be getting to know the women personally because they might be your sisters someday. They want to see if you have the qualities they are looking for in a sister. The info about the chapter will come out during the conversation..don't worry! Don't be afraid to ask about their chapter activities if it feels natural during the conversation, but don't be too pushy either. Just stay relaxed!

Thank you! I needed to read that. I have no one to really ask if this is "normal" or what not!

It was an excruciating wait for today. At the first event the girls invited me to the second at the party, but I was sitting waiting for a while for an invite to this!

So today (Day 3), I went shopping and for lunch with 5 sisters. I had met all but 1 of them at one of the other activities and Sue was finally able to come, so it was nice to have a familiar crowd. I had a really great time again. I'm really astounded at how good they are at making you feel welcome in a group. I mean, most of the time when you make a group of new friends someone is always kind of left out, but not with these girls! I don't know if it's because (I feel) like our personalities mesh well or if they're just really good at rushing and therefore making the PNM feel welcome. At the first event I was shocked at how well they "bumped" you without it feeling forced or weird. It was a smooth transition to talking to the next girl and it took me an hour to realize that's what they were doing!

These are really the kind of girls I want to be friends with. It'll be another (brutal) wait to see if I get invited to another event, but I promise to let you all know either way!!!

And thanks for your support, it's nice to know people are reading and pulling for me

[FSUZeta]

we surely are!! continued good luck to you!

[honeychile]

Definitely thinking good thoughts for you!

[Just interested]

Love It! Good luck! I too was a COB, wasn't called that back then but that's what it was.

[SthrnZeta]

Good luck prettyv!