Where are all the Potential PNMs?

[futuregreek?]

Well, I'm a PNM and I'm here with a question.
I've been thinking about rushing for about two years now and have decided to go through formal recruitment this fall. Through all of my greek chat lurking, the biggest thing I've learned besided recs is to KEEP AN OPEN MIND.
As I looked through all of the websites and attended a pre-recruitment event at my college, I have always tried to make sure at least half of the houses were on my "I can see myself there" list. But, I recently met with an alum (an incredible woman that I've looked up to for the past three years) of one of the houses on the top half on my list. Now, I'm afraid that I like one house more than the rest. I know this is bad, and am well aware that this opinion might change when I begin meeting girls during the open house round. However, I don't know how to keep this favoritism in check for the month leading up to recruitment.

It appears that when "researching" houses, it is inevitable that a PNM will end up with some sort of mental ranking no matter how hard they try not to, so how can other PNM's and myself keep these ranks in check? It is practically impossible to unthink something that you've been thinking about so frequently. How can I restore my "open mind"?

[ThetaDancer]

Originally Posted by futuregreek?

Well, I'm a PNM and I'm here with a question.
I've been thinking about rushing for about two years now and have decided to go through formal recruitment this fall. Through all of my greek chat lurking, the biggest thing I've learned besided recs is to KEEP AN OPEN MIND.
As I looked through all of the websites and attended a pre-recruitment event at my college, I have always tried to make sure at least half of the houses were on my "I can see myself there" list. But, I recently met with an alum (an incredible woman that I've looked up to for the past three years) of one of the houses on the top half on my list. Now, I'm afraid that I like one house more than the rest. I know this is bad, and am well aware that this opinion might change when I begin meeting girls during the open house round. However, I don't know how to keep this favoritism in check for the month leading up to recruitment.

It appears that when "researching" houses, it is inevitable that a PNM will end up with some sort of mental ranking no matter how hard they try not to, so how can other PNM's and myself keep these ranks in check? It is practically impossible to unthink something that you've been thinking about so frequently. How can I restore my "open mind"?

I think it's natural to have some preferences. I think the most important thing is to try to not get yourself so set in stone on one or two chapters, that you disregard other chapters right off the bat or that you give up on recruitment completely if things don't work out with one of your "favorite" chapters. The fact that you're "well aware that this opinion might change" is a good sign, because it means you are open to seeing what every organization has to offer.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by futuregreek?

Well, I'm a PNM and I'm here with a question.
I've been thinking about rushing for about two years now and have decided to go through formal recruitment this fall. Through all of my greek chat lurking, the biggest thing I've learned besided recs is to KEEP AN OPEN MIND.
As I looked through all of the websites and attended a pre-recruitment event at my college, I have always tried to make sure at least half of the houses were on my "I can see myself there" list. But, I recently met with an alum (an incredible woman that I've looked up to for the past three years) of one of the houses on the top half on my list. Now, I'm afraid that I like one house more than the rest. I know this is bad, and am well aware that this opinion might change when I begin meeting girls during the open house round. However, I don't know how to keep this favoritism in check for the month leading up to recruitment.

It appears that when "researching" houses, it is inevitable that a PNM will end up with some sort of mental ranking no matter how hard they try not to, so how can other PNM's and myself keep these ranks in check? It is practically impossible to unthink something that you've been thinking about so frequently. How can I restore my "open mind"?

It's pretty natural for PNMs to have favorites. As much as we advise them not to, it's bound to happen.

Just try not to get to the point of thinking that you love a house so much (without actually meeting anyone in it) that you would drop out of recruitment or something if you didn't get it.

I just tell girls to keep in the back of their minds that it's important to be open minded because ANY of your faves could cut you at any point in the process.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by futuregreek?

Well, I'm a PNM and I'm here with a question.
I've been thinking about rushing for about two years now and have decided to go through formal recruitment this fall. Through all of my greek chat lurking, the biggest thing I've learned besided recs is to KEEP AN OPEN MIND.
As I looked through all of the websites and attended a pre-recruitment event at my college, I have always tried to make sure at least half of the houses were on my "I can see myself there" list. But, I recently met with an alum (an incredible woman that I've looked up to for the past three years) of one of the houses on the top half on my list. Now, I'm afraid that I like one house more than the rest. I know this is bad, and am well aware that this opinion might change when I begin meeting girls during the open house round. However, I don't know how to keep this favoritism in check for the month leading up to recruitment.

It appears that when "researching" houses, it is inevitable that a PNM will end up with some sort of mental ranking no matter how hard they try not to, so how can other PNM's and myself keep these ranks in check? It is practically impossible to unthink something that you've been thinking about so frequently. How can I restore my "open mind"?

It's natural to like certain chapters better than others. I don't think that's what is meant by "keep an open mind." Keeping an open mind simply means to give all of the chapters a chance. Some people openly admit to wanting to avoid talking to girls of a chapter because they're "not worth their time." And others here have seen the eye-rolling and lack of participation by PNMs who couldn't be bothered by such a "low-tier" chapter. (Just the word "tier" drives me crazy, btw).

Basically, just don't get your hopes up on one chapter, especially before recruitment has even started, because there's a good chance you might not end up there. Remember that recruitment is a MUTUAL SELECTION PROCESS and the last thing you would want is to be in a chapter that doesn't want you.

Also keep in mind that the woman that you look up to so much is an alumna of her sorority. While it would be great to be her sister, she won't be the one living in the house, staying up late talking with you, building homecoming floats, participating in philanthropies, competing with you during Greek Week, etc. The active sisters are the ones that you really want to click with.

Keeping all this in mind... Have fun