Northern Arizona University Formal Recruitment

[disasterscookie]

So I get to the recruitment building at about 5:30 and everyone is just flooding the doors! I could tell that there were a lot less girls here than had been previously, to me I was thinking 'wow, I can't believe I made it this far.' I am such a 'nontraditional' student (being married is really rare and being a junior going through rush is rare as well, I only met 2 others besides myself) I walk up to my Rho Chi's (who have probably been the best part of this entire experience) and they smile and ask how I am. I had texted them earlier to tell them I had completely lost my voice and asked what to do. My voice was back a little so I assured them that I was sure I would be ok. I get my schedule and it looks like this:
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6:10 - Muffin
And that was it. My heart hit the floor. I wasn't so upset because I got Muffin, I was upset because I really thought that myself and the girls at Pie and Cake really clicked...but apparently I am a horrible judge of character? I was shaken and confused, but I had a new found place in my heart for Muffin, I mean taking me on as a junior, married, and unable to live in, I appreciated this astronomically. I really wanted to be a part of an organization, and I thought I had my ideas about which ones...but I could not deny Muffin the opportunity that they had alloted to me. I went to the party with an open mind and open heart, the same way I felt that they were approaching me. And this is what happened:
Muffin: The girl I got paired with was really cute. She did nothing but gush about how much muffin meant to her and how much it had changed her. Unfortuantely though, she did seem rather awkward, nervous, and uncomfortable. Their room was beach themed and all the girls seemed a lot more relaxed. We were nonchalantly chit chatting it up when they begin to serve us our little treats. Do you know what they served? CUPCAKES! I got way too excited and tried to explain to this poor girl how I have an inexplicible obsession with anything and everything to do with cupcakes. She thought this was really funny and also admitted that she too had a deep felt love for cupcakes. She also disclosed to me that there was a cupcake shop downtown! I probably got way too excited about this fact, but she took it all in really good stride. Their preference ceremonies were really pretty, really heart felt, and I thought very genuine. They all really seemed to have a strong connection with each other (though they do have difficulty communicating with others, maybe too dependent on the sorority?) and their bond as sisters really seems to go beyond that of greek affiliation. They sang really pretty songs and I got goosebumps.

After that I didn't have any more parties so I hung out with my Rho Chi's and waited for my husband to come pick me up so we could get something to eat.

Tomorrow is bid day. Muffin usually has cute shirts, I guess?

[texas*princess]

Originally Posted by disasterscookie

I wasn't so upset because I got Muffin, I was upset because I really thought that myself and the girls at Pie and Cake really clicked...but apparently I am a horrible judge of character?

The other two not inviting you back does not mean you are a 'horrible judge of character"... it also does not mean that those two groups have bad character. They simply had to narrow the list and for whatever reason you didn't make the cut. It doesn't mean they didn't like you.

I don't know if you just phrased that incorrectly, or what but I thought I should clarify that for you.

Congrats on your invite to Muffin. You REALLY made me want to find a bakery for a cupcake

ETA: I don't go to NAU... but I feel it's a little disrespectful on your part to give off identifying "clues" about Muffin in your last post (i.e. how the room was decorated, etc). I didn't see that in either of the other two descriptions and for women who DO go to school there, it's very easy to identify which group was which and who you are, so it's disappointing that you would talk bad about them and then give off hints as to which group it is. Additionally, you never know if there are women who would like to be Muffins. That all just sounded overly negative to me. </soapbox>

[ASUADPi]

Originally Posted by texas*princess

ETA: I don't go to NAU... but I feel it's a little disrespectful on your part to give off identifying "clues" about Muffin in your last post (i.e. how the room was decorated, etc). I didn't see that in either of the other two descriptions and for women who DO go to school there, it's very easy to identify which group was which and who you are, so it's disappointing that you would talk bad about them and then give off hints as to which group it is. Additionally, you never know if there are women who would like to be Muffins. That all just sounded overly negative to me. </soapbox>

Originally Posted by disasterscookie

Muffin: The girl I got paired with was really cute. She did nothing but gush about how much muffin meant to her and how much it had changed her. Unfortuantely though, she did seem rather awkward, nervous, and uncomfortable. Their room was beach themed and all the girls seemed a lot more relaxed. We were nonchalantly chit chatting it up when they begin to serve us our little treats. Do you know what they served? CUPCAKES! I got way too excited and tried to explain to this poor girl how I have an inexplicible obsession with anything and everything to do with cupcakes. She thought this was really funny and also admitted that she too had a deep felt love for cupcakes. She also disclosed to me that there was a cupcake shop downtown! I probably got way too excited about this fact, but she took it all in really good stride. Their preference ceremonies were really pretty, really heart felt, and I thought very genuine. They all really seemed to have a strong connection with each other (though they do have difficulty communicating with others, maybe too dependent on the sorority?) and their bond as sisters really seems to go beyond that of greek affiliation. They sang really pretty songs and I got goosebumps.

Maybe it's just me, but she didn't say anything negative about the sorority as a whole, she said that the girl who began rushing her was awkward. Just because she felt this one girl was awkward and uncomfortable should not/would not reflect on the sorority as a whole. I'm sure every single one of us can pick a girl in our respective houses/chapters that was just awkward at rush. Some girls just can't rush, plain and simple. But it sounds like from the post that once dessert was served, that the conversation seemed less forced. Plus, she went on to say that the preference ceremony gave her goosebumps. And as for the "difficulty communicating", that is just her opinion.

I have read worse than the above on GC from PNM's.

disasterscookie: I thought your post was well written. I hope that everything worked out for you in the end and that you found your home!

[disasterscookie]

I didn't think I said anything too negative about any of the sororities I interacted with. I was just voicing my opinion. And if girls from the group are reading it they shouldn't be offended by my 1 opinion of their chapter. The whole point of rush is them developing opinions about us and us developing opinions about them...so technically I am doing what I am supposed to do and the groups that cut me for one reason or another were doing what they were supposed to do. Form opinions, make decisions, cut or not. And that's what I did in return.

I did receive a bid from Muffin but I declined. I couldn't see myself as a Muffin, and I am not saying anything bad about them because they got 17 new members this pledge period so obviously there are other people who did see what they needed in them. I did not. I think if I would have done rush as a freshman and unmarried it would have turned out much differently. But hey everything happens for a reason I did however, instead of attending bid day celebrations go to the first day of rush for Omega Phi Alpha and I love it. I think I definitely found my home in this group.

Like you all told me, Greek Life isn't for everyone. I'm not being bratty insofar as saying things like "I withdrew because I didn't get the house I wanted, etc." I withdrew because I didn't feel I belonged in any of it. The more I learned about Greek Life, the more I realized it just wasn't for me. I'm married! I can't be going on date dashes and date parties...my husband would not be comfortable with that and neither would I. There were so many more reasons as to why I declined my bid. But I am glad I did, I am absolutely in love with OPhiA and their interview portions start tomorrow. If you are interested I could let you all know how that goes.

I want to thank you all for following my thread and being interested in my recruitment story. If you are dying to know my code just PM me.

Hope you all have wonderful Fall semesters, greek or not

[DreamfulSpirit]

YAY FOR OMEGA PHI ALPHA!!!

I'm soooo happy to hear that you may have found your home with OPA!!!

I'd like to hear how that goes....