Fall 2006 Retro Recruitment

[howtheSunrose]

Skit Night.

I received invites back to my top three choices, Thomas, Eliot, and Plath. The max we could go back to was three, so I cut Yeats. Even though our rush is not competitive, a few girls received only two invites or just one. One of the girls I became close to in my Gamma Chi group, Kate, was cut from Thomas. I heard rumors that Thomas was cutting heavily and by pref night they’d only invite girls who would make up their pledge class. A divide was beginning, most of the girls I’d met at the start of school were going Yeats. Two of my friends from home who seemed so adamant about Eliot were favoring Yeats as well! What was going on? Why didn’t I have stronger feelings?

At least I had my outfit under control. I wore a green embroidered sun dress with strappy sandals (if you can’t tell, I love sandals) with my hair neatly placed in waves. With quiet confidence, I began one of the most telling nights of rush.

First was Thomas. The lodge was decorated to the max and the sisters didn’t miss a beat. The skit was amazing. I loved my rusher and did my best to keep up our conversation flowing. I was blown away by their dance moves and cute story line. Simply put, I fell in love with this house. I’m a Thomas, I told myself.

Next comes Eliot. As usual, their enthusiasm stole the show. Their skit wasn’t quite as creative or engaging as Thomas’ but each active played her role well. I was amused by the plot line and had a great chat with my rushers. Once again the sophomore newspaper girl rushed me. She was so warm with a zany side to her personality. I wondered if I would disappoint her. Is my personality bubbly enough to fit in with this animated set of girls?

Last we have Plath. Their skit was clever and entertaining. I had trouble hearing my rusher and worried she would think I was uninterested. I could definitely tell this was a classy, glamorous set of girls with a down to earth side. Were they interested in me? I’d had good conversations in the best, loved the President, but the other PNMs proclamations that I was more of an Eliot was starting to get to me.

I was beginning to understand the personalities of the houses better. But did I know my own? I could see a bit of myself in each remaining house. I played the, “Well what do you think I am?”, game with the other PNMs too much and ranked….

Thomas
Eliot
Plath

That night as I went to bed I knew I’d made a mistake. But how big of one?

Time crept by slowly until the Gamma Chis arrived with a knock on my door…

[LOVEinZTA]

oooooh, i definitely went through a similar experience, but fortunately it worked out in the end - hope yours does/did as well!!

[howtheSunrose]

Pref Night Part One

I rushed to the door in my pref attire, a red dress and pointy flats with a long pearl necklace. Before my Gammi Chis could speak, I spied in one of their hands a card with the letters of Eliot and Plath. They revealed my invites and that I would not being going back to Thomas. “What? I didn’t get invited back to Thomas? Could there be a mistake?” (Oh, naïve rushee!) No, there was no mistake. I was upset, obviously. I called my mom and she reminded me that the other two houses had worked hard on their Pref nights and wanted me there. I needed to enjoy myself. Down the hall, I spied another girl in my Gamma Chi group who had been cut by Thomas. She was visibly upset. My gamma chi tried to comfort me but I was a little annoyed that someone who I was sure was a member of Thomas herself was trying to make me feel better (looking back she was merely doing her job!).

Looking back on skit night, I can see that Thomas was not the right sorority for me. My rusher was a senior pre-med student and did not seem to be able to relate well to a future English major. I did not meet many of the other girls and merely enjoyed the skit. I discovered I was probably a little too “English major-y”, into “the arts” for this group. They also had a large group of girls involved in the Religious life on campus. Although I admire and respect these people, I was worn out from all girls Catholic school experience! Recalling a silly conversation about unnecessary but fun school supplies with a member of Plath, I smiled to myself.

I had another problem on my mind. Well, face, to be exact. I had a zit! Normally I could work a little makeup artist magic and cover up a blemish like a pro. But this baby was right on my nose and I’m afraid it matched the cover of my dress. I decided to befriend some Lancome concealer and roll with it.

[Leslie Anne]

Wonderful story! I'm anxious to hear the rest.

[Ocalagirl]

wow these retro threads just keep getting better...I don't think I have read one I didn't like.

[howtheSunrose]

My night began with Plath. I wasn't not sure what to expect. I entersx the house, full of beautiful candles and flowers. My rush date was the newspaper editor and that’s right, the President of Plath. The President of Plath is rushing me. The President of Plath is rushing me. The President of Plath is rushing me. I must have said this to myself a hundred times as we walked outside to a table and nearly knocked over a candle. We sat down and had a good chat about all the things I’d learned about Plath over the week. Suddenly, I was beaming. I loved it there. Everyone was so poised, polished, and kind. She asked me how I felt. I told her how happy I was to be at Plath and mustered up the courage to say, “I can really see myself here”. She told me, “Good! We were hoping you’d say that.” My other rusher was a girl I’d had earlier in the week. As the President left to conclude the ceremony she told me I was cute and fabulous and that she wanted me there. I’m cute with this monstrosity on my nose? If you say so. The end of ceremony moved many actives to tears and I hoped I’d be lucky enough to join this group of girls who proved themselves to be so wonderful. Was I confident enough to a Plath? Had the right sorority been under my (blemished) nose all along?

I end with Eliot. My rush date is the sophomore newspaper girl and she was very happy to see me. I enjoyed the ceremony but felt awkward during our conversation. I tried to steer it away from my decision but failed. She asked me how I felt, and I told her I was unsure and confused. I hated to lie but I really didn’t want to hurt her feelings. The girls took so much pride in their sorority’s preference night and I was honored to be invited. Still, was I truly an Eliot? Some others seemed to think so and I had met a lot of cool girls throughout the week….

[Soliloquy]

No I do not feel so bad for rooting for Syliva Plath the whole time!

I am anxious to see what happens!

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by howtheSunrose

As the President left to conclude the ceremony she told me I was cute and fabulous and that she wanted me there.

This can definetly be construed as a rush infraction. Also, her saying "I was hoping you would say that" as well....

I personally think it's silly that if you really want a girl, you're not supposed to tell her that...but I can see how it would be abused, either by telling EVERY PNM that and leading them on, or by one sister saying that and her not having enough pull to get you a bid (one sister cannot speak for the whole...).