Opinions for big SEC school

[Alumiyum]

Originally Posted by AXOrushadvisor

I couldn't agree with you more. At the end of the day if you have spent $500 on your recruitment outfit, but you are a stick in the mud or haven't done your homework; your clothing choices wont give you a free ride. On the other hand, I have seen first hand a gal going through recruitment not making good choices on clothing right out of the shoot and being release from the majority of Chapters on campus. We do dress checks for our active members looking for boobs, butts and items that don't look right. I don't think there is any thing wrong with showing a PNM a more suitable option AND you don't have to spend a bunch of money. Again, I just think clothing is part of the PNM's homework along with the things you stated above.

Exactly.

Originally Posted by Loyally Kappa

I read this thread from start to finish. As far as sororities being "image-focused" ... call it "competitive" if you want ... we might as well advise PNMs to bring the receipts for their outfits. God forbid someone may have paid less than full price for an item.

Please, point out one person that has said price matters. Personally, I recommend Target, TJMaxx, and signing up for email newsletters at your favorite stores. I get almost all of my nice clothing on sale because I read those emails and therefore know when the sales are happening, and I do not own anything with an actual designer label. Not even a basic purse. It is extremely easy to dress nicely for less, and I've never had anyone wrinkle their nose at my clothing, even when visiting some of the snottiest groups of people in T-Town.

Originally Posted by DrPhil

I have to say it is funny to reduce the shoes sidebar to simplistically inconsequential frivolity when even the very nature of recruitment outfit discussions is considered simplistically inconsequential frivolity by some.

The entire recruitment process is "simplistically inconsequential frivolity". Some chapters meet 1000+ girls in a day and are expected to cut and keep based on those few minutes they saw them and the applications the PNM's sent in. That's somehow going to be a deep and thoughtful process? It's essentially an audition and the fact is that when so many people are being considered for so few spots it's unlikely they're going to be picked based solely on their character. It's going to be a combination of their resumes, how likable they are in parties, and their first impression. So yes, sometimes things like an outfit or a friendly smile or a bunch of connections matter. That's just reality. Some girls will get picked because they are good people, nice to be around, and will make good members. And some girls will get picked for FAR more shallow reasons. So what's with all the denial?

Originally Posted by Drolefille

Relax?

I mean it's just as easy for us to say "Shoes aren't the important thing. Damn."

And, "Whether it happens or not it's still shallow."

Ok? Then "relax" and stop jumping down my throat because I prefer to be realistic rather than idealistic. Again, the question isn't whether or not it's "right" or "shallow". It isn't right and it is shallow. That doesn't mean we should act like it doesn't happen.

Originally Posted by hotpink&pearls

Thanks for all the advice!
Honestly, when it comes to shoes - I'm going to wear what goes with my dress, is comfortable and doesn't smell (if this means smelling my shoes, so be it). If they happen to be different each day, cool. If they're the same, that works too. I hope my charming personality, shining recs, wonderful dresses and brilliant good looks can stand on their own (no pun intended, and obviously there was some joking in there haha!).

Once again, thanks for the advice - I'll be posting my recruitment story once rush is over, for better or worse. Until then, I'm going to focus on this whole moving in thing .

Please smell the shoes. It sounds ridiculous, but like I said I've had a PNM show up smelling like a fraternity house laundry room and she didn't even notice because she was so nervous. Also, if you have time go ahead and get your clothes washed/dry cleaned. If you don't just remember to look them over the night before to make sure there's no stains you missed or loose seams or something (I've also had PNM's have their dress rip. Thank god for safety pins.)
Here's my random advice:
-Ask questions. Do not worry about how many or how often. It's better to be informed and your Recruitment Counselors are there to help you.
-Bring a tote bag to put heels in when you wear them so you can wear flip flops between parties. Some other items to put in the tote: breath mints (no gum! people forget and walk into parties smacking it...not a good call), shine blotting sheets if you get a shiny face, a brush or comb, some powder if you wear it, a small mirror, deodorant if you're like me and you can't handle the heat outside, safety pins, and bobby pins if you use them. I also always have a hair rubberband just in case it gets so hot I can't stand the hair lying on my neck. If you wear make up get some that's waterproof, because it's hot outside. Sweat happens.
-Leave the perfume at home. It's just too tempting to overload it when everyone is afraid of smelling like they've been walking through 90 degree heat.
-Smile even when your cheeks start to hurt.
-Get plenty of sleep each night!
-Be yourself, because there's no point in wanting to join a house where you have to be someone else.
-Walk that line between bragging and building yourself up. Yeah, no one likes a Boasting Betty, but it's important they remember that you are awesome, and why.
-Remember it's supposed to be fun. If you're the kind of person that is good at rushing from one thing to the next and staying on the ball it'll be easy for you to have fun (and if you are one of those people, I'm jealous), but if you're one of us ADD people, it can get overwhelming. So if you're in our club, just breathe and make some friends so you can get overwhelmed together. Then it's not so bad, AND you'll have fun.

(Re: moving in...don't be me and take every item of clothing you own. The day you move out you'll want to hit yourself in the head very hard for bringing so much crap.)