A Juicy Small-School Recruitment Story! Fall 2007

[daisy7289]

Sorry to take such a long break from my story! Major things happened in my life over the break and I am just now able to get back here and update you all!

We left off just before round 1, I think!

ROUND 1 - Philanthropy

I waited frantically for the mail to come that day - I had my mom mail me my Citizens of Humanity jeans that I REALLY wanted to wear that night! So once the mail came and I had my lucky jeans I was ready to go. We met up with our Rho Chis about 45 minutes before the parties began. I really liked my Rho Chis - one was one of my leaders when I came to Summer registration.

Party 1 - Pepsi

All 40 of us lined up in alphabetical order and my friend was the first to go in the door! We were so excited and nervous. Pepsi's room (all groups' rooms were assigned in a rotating manner every year, Panhel stressed) was definitely the prettiest, it had wood-paneled walls and carpet that matched one of their colors. Some girls were really startled by the loud cheering as we walked in the room. I had a hard time hearing what people were saying because there were about ninety girls altogether in the room! Pepsi's president waved to me from across the room, but she never came over to say hi. I really enjoyed Pepsi's philanthropy, but the craft was a little weird. It involved puffy paint and glitter, and we were encouraged to write their letters and symbols on the item (unfortunately it would give the group away if I said what it was!). It took a while for me to get into the groove of talking about myself but I really enjoyed the party. Everyone wore their "jerseys" this night and I liked the colors on Pepsi's.

Party 2 - Sprite

It was time for our second party, Sprite. We walked in to more cheering. Sprite's room was the plainest of the three, a white-walled multipurpose room. I understood why Panhel was stressing to us that the rooms are rotated yearly, because this room was so boring! Their theme was cute and revolved around their colors. I sat down with a cute girl and we talked and made good conversation - she really tried to connect with me. The second girl, however, said she was really tired and didn't want to be there. She talked about how she liked hockey. I couldn't get past the fact that she had a really dark upper lip that looked like a moustache. The third girl I talked to was heavyset - not a typical sorority girl to me, but we connected so well! The craft was making bracelets and it was perfect with their theme. At this party the girls were "double rushing" - two PNMs to one active. I noticed and was told by the actives that they were the smallest and newest group. I thought their jerseys were kind of ugly. As we left the room, the girl in front of me laughed, turned to the rest of the Rho Chi group, and said "Well, THAT was awkward. Now we know which group WE don't want".

Party 3 - Coke

We trekked all the way across campus to Coke's room. Their cheer was really loud and REALLY cocky - it was about being the best. That turned me off a little. Their room was all decked out in their colors and they were dressed perfectly, head to toe. They wore denim skirts with their jerseys instead of jeans like the other groups. We had pretty good conversation, but it wasn't memorable. I remember sitting in their room and thinking that I really wanted to be like these girls. Their craft was cute, but I can't tell you what it was because I think it is national. The room was huge and had pillars - it was so pretty. Some of the girls I talked to this night were a little dense but I still liked them a lot.

After Pepsi, we went back to the student center, went over dress and theme for the next day, and were told not to talk to each other about the parties and were sent home. We would visit all three again tomorrow.
My favorites at the end of the night:

1. Pepsi
2. Coke
3. Sprite

[KappaKittyCat]

Originally Posted by daisy7289

I understood why Panhel was stressing to us that the rooms are rotated yearly, because this room was so boring!

I totally understand that! Chapters at my school are unhoused, but we used to have to fight each other for the best rooms. I wonder if things would have been different if we'd had a rotation schedule...

The second girl, however, said she was really tired and didn't want to be there.

Woah, tacky much?

I couldn't get past the fact that she had a really dark upper lip that looked like a moustache.

This made me crack up! I also sometimes fixate on things like that - a mole, a unibrow, chin hairs - and it's all I can think about. Pretty soon the person just becomes a talking unibrow, or whatever.

As we left the room, the girl in front of me laughed, turned to the rest of the Rho Chi group, and said "Well, THAT was awkward. Now we know which group WE don't want".

I hope the Rho Chi heard her and ratted her out. That's an awful thing to say. What about the PNMs who did connect with Sprite? How would that make them feel? Someone needs a big kick in the pants.

I rarely post in these threads, but I'm really enjoying this one.

[TinyDancer98]

Originally Posted by KappaKittyCat

I hope the Rho Chi heard her and ratted her out. That's an awful thing to say. What about the PNMs who did connect with Sprite? How would that make them feel? Someone needs a big kick in the pants.

I agree. I tend to root for the underdog chapters, because I think that while some chapters (particularly smaller ones) may struggle during formal recruitment, most are still really quality chapters and are fighting to overcome negative stereotypes that are, unfortunately, detrimental to their recruiting. It's hard enough for PNMs to make genuine choices while trying to avoid being snowed by trivial factors like a sorority's shirts or room decorations, without worrying about their peers judging them based upon their preferences.

Aside from all of that, I wish you the best in your recruitment! Remember to relax and have fun =)