A Disappointing Recruitment

[LSuz19]

So back in September I went through Formal Recruitment at my school. My school has a very small Greek system with only five sororities. All throughout high school, I was so excited to join a sorority because it has so many wonderful opportunities to offer! Back in June, when recruitment sign ups began, I signed up as soon as I heard about it! I could not wait for September to come and for the rush process to start. A lot of my friends had started school before me and had already finished rush before my school even started. This got me even more excited for recruitment. Recs aren't really required here, but I wish I would have known that earlier...otherwise I still would have tried to asked for some. So.....Recruitment finally gets here! I had to email a girl on the Panhellenic board because I had a night lab during the first day, and I told her that I may be late. She said that was totally fine and that school always comes first.

Thank goodness my lab ended as recruitment was starting so I didn't miss much. The first night was just an orientation and I got to meet group/Rho Gammas. I really liked my Rho Gammas and the girls in my group.

The next night was the first round of visiting the sororities. So I really like the disney channel, so I'm going to list them by the shows/in the order that I visited them

Hannah Montana
Lizzie McGuire
That's So Raven
Good Luck Charlie
Sonny With A Chance

Hannah Montana- I talked to sooo many girls in this chapter, and they were really chill and down to earth. The first girl had the same major as me, and wanted to do the same thing that I wanted to do. I also had a lot of things in common with this girl and other girls. I instantly clicked with these girls, and they were absolutely nice. I definitely saw myself here.

Lizzie McGuire- These girls were super classy and dressed very sophisticated. Their theme for the night was very cute, and I talked to some pretty cool girls. I asked them a couple questions about their philanthropy, and they were thrilled about my questions. I really liked this chapter especially after hearing negative things about them.

That's So Raven- I talked to a few girls and they were pretty nice. I clicked with a couple girls, but I wasn't sure if I would fit in with them. I loved their theme the first night and they did seem like a fun group of girls.

Good Luck Charlie- I only talked to two girls here, and I did like them. However I wasn't to sure if they were really interested in what I was saying. It was also really loud in that room and I could barely hear what they were saying for part of the time. I really did like this sorority though, I just wish I had talked to more girls.

Sonny with a Chance- I talked to a lot of girls, and they were very sweet. I clicked with a couple of girls, but not all of them. It also felt weird being there. Some of the girls were a little bit awkward, but it was ok.

I ranked the sororities as:

1. Hannah Montana
1. Lizzie McGuire
1. That's So Raven
1. Good Luck Charlie
2. Sonny With a Chance

I didn't receive a phone call that night, so I made it to round two!

I got my list back as the following:

Hannah Montana, Lizzie McGuire, That's So Raven, and Sonny With a Chance.

I was a bit bummed that Good Luck Charlie dropped me, but it was ok. They weren't my first choice, and I still went in open minded. However, I got almost all of my top choices.


I saw Hannah Montana, Lizzie McGuire, That's So Raven, and Sonny with a Chance in that order. This round was Philanthropy.

Hannah Montana- I loved their philanthropy! I have always been interested in advocating it, and it seemed like it really caught the girl's attention. They also had a cute craft that went along, and we made a craft together. I still really liked Hannah Montana, and still felt like I belonged here.

Lizzie McGuire-I talked to almost half of the chapter here! The girls were so friendly and welcoming, and we talked about a numerous amount of things. I loved the way they decorated the room for their philanthropy, and this chapter seemed to be super creative. I could see myself here also.

That's So Raven- I only talked to one girl here. I also wasn't a fan of their philanthropy, and I was not clicking with this girl at all. I wish I could have talked to more than this one girl cause she did not seem interested in me.

Sonny With a Chance- So I talked to a few girls here and they had a nice philanthropy. However, I wasn't clicking with any of the girls and things just got awkward. They were still extremely nice girls!

I ranked them as the following:

1. Hannah Montana
1. Lizzie McGuire
1. That's So Raven
2. Sonny with a Chance

The next round was in two hours, so I went back to my dorm to get ready and change. I didn't receive a phone call, so I went back still really excited.

As I got there, I saw my Rho Gammas, pulling girls aside and I saw them walking away in tears. I thought how awful that was to see, and they told us they would call. Unfortunately, after that girl left, one my Rho Gammas comes up to me asking if she could talk to me for a minute. My heart dropped. I walked up to them like it was nothing and was like what's up? My Rho Gamma apologized how last minute this was and she told me I was being released from the process. Both of them had very upset looks on their faces, and I didn't want to cry in front of them. I said it was ok and told them I was a bit in shock, but I will try again. Then I hugged them and thanked them for everything. I walked away with my head down and cried once I got back into my room.

I really don't understand what went wrong. I was so confident and excited. I know 2 of my visits were awkward, and it really does depend on who you talk to, but still. Maybe it was because there was only five sororities?

Spring Semester is about to begin and some sororities do host Informal Recruitment. I still really want to be in a sorority, and I am still going to be open-minded and try again. Everybody likes a positive attitude right? However, I am just extremely nervous! What if some girls remember me? What should I even say?! I definitely do not want to say I didn't get into a sorority. I know to be myself, but I am just worried about not getting a bid again.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by LSuz19

Maybe it was because there was only five sororities?

Spring Semester is about to begin and some sororities do host Informal Recruitment. I still really want to be in a sorority, and I am still going to be open-minded and try again. Everybody likes a positive attitude right? However, I am just extremely nervous! What if some girls remember me? What should I even say?! I definitely do not want to say I didn't get into a sorority. I know to be myself, but I am just worried about not getting a bid again.

No one knows the exact reason why you got cut. But I can tell you that the number of chapters on a campus has nothing to do with whether a PNM is released or not. So the reason you were released isn't "because there are only 5 sororities."

At a smaller school, you might be remembered. You don't have to bring up that you didn't get a bid (some girls might already know that). If someone does recognize you from formal recruitment, just stay positive and don't dwell on how you were released.

[twinkle555]

Originally Posted by LSuz19

So back in September I went through Formal Recruitment at my school. My school has a very small Greek system with only five sororities. All throughout high school, I was so excited to join a sorority because it has so many wonderful opportunities to offer! Back in June, when recruitment sign ups began, I signed up as soon as I heard about it! I could not wait for September to come and for the rush process to start. A lot of my friends had started school before me and had already finished rush before my school even started. This got me even more excited for recruitment. Recs aren't really required here, but I wish I would have known that earlier...otherwise I still would have tried to asked for some. So.....Recruitment finally gets here! I had to email a girl on the Panhellenic board because I had a night lab during the first day, and I told her that I may be late. She said that was totally fine and that school always comes first.

Thank goodness my lab ended as recruitment was starting so I didn't miss much. The first night was just an orientation and I got to meet group/Rho Gammas. I really liked my Rho Gammas and the girls in my group.

The next night was the first round of visiting the sororities. So I really like the disney channel, so I'm going to list them by the shows/in the order that I visited them

Hannah Montana
Lizzie McGuire
That's So Raven
Good Luck Charlie
Sonny With A Chance

Hannah Montana- I talked to sooo many girls in this chapter, and they were really chill and down to earth. The first girl had the same major as me, and wanted to do the same thing that I wanted to do. I also had a lot of things in common with this girl and other girls. I instantly clicked with these girls, and they were absolutely nice. I definitely saw myself here.

Lizzie McGuire- These girls were super classy and dressed very sophisticated. Their theme for the night was very cute, and I talked to some pretty cool girls. I asked them a couple questions about their philanthropy, and they were thrilled about my questions. I really liked this chapter especially after hearing negative things about them.

That's So Raven- I talked to a few girls and they were pretty nice. I clicked with a couple girls, but I wasn't sure if I would fit in with them. I loved their theme the first night and they did seem like a fun group of girls.

Good Luck Charlie- I only talked to two girls here, and I did like them. However I wasn't to sure if they were really interested in what I was saying. It was also really loud in that room and I could barely hear what they were saying for part of the time. I really did like this sorority though, I just wish I had talked to more girls.

Sonny with a Chance- I talked to a lot of girls, and they were very sweet. I clicked with a couple of girls, but not all of them. It also felt weird being there. Some of the girls were a little bit awkward, but it was ok.

I ranked the sororities as:

1. Hannah Montana
1. Lizzie McGuire
1. That's So Raven
1. Good Luck Charlie
2. Sonny With a Chance

I didn't receive a phone call that night, so I made it to round two!

I got my list back as the following:

Hannah Montana, Lizzie McGuire, That's So Raven, and Sonny With a Chance.

I was a bit bummed that Good Luck Charlie dropped me, but it was ok. They weren't my first choice, and I still went in open minded. However, I got almost all of my top choices.


I saw Hannah Montana, Lizzie McGuire, That's So Raven, and Sonny with a Chance in that order. This round was Philanthropy.

Hannah Montana- I loved their philanthropy! I have always been interested in advocating it, and it seemed like it really caught the girl's attention. They also had a cute craft that went along, and we made a craft together. I still really liked Hannah Montana, and still felt like I belonged here.

Lizzie McGuire-I talked to almost half of the chapter here! The girls were so friendly and welcoming, and we talked about a numerous amount of things. I loved the way they decorated the room for their philanthropy, and this chapter seemed to be super creative. I could see myself here also.

That's So Raven- I only talked to one girl here. I also wasn't a fan of their philanthropy, and I was not clicking with this girl at all. I wish I could have talked to more than this one girl cause she did not seem interested in me.

Sonny With a Chance- So I talked to a few girls here and they had a nice philanthropy. However, I wasn't clicking with any of the girls and things just got awkward. They were still extremely nice girls!

I ranked them as the following:

1. Hannah Montana
1. Lizzie McGuire
1. That's So Raven
2. Sonny with a Chance

The next round was in two hours, so I went back to my dorm to get ready and change. I didn't receive a phone call, so I went back still really excited.

As I got there, I saw my Rho Gammas, pulling girls aside and I saw them walking away in tears. I thought how awful that was to see, and they told us they would call. Unfortunately, after that girl left, one my Rho Gammas comes up to me asking if she could talk to me for a minute. My heart dropped. I walked up to them like it was nothing and was like what's up? My Rho Gamma apologized how last minute this was and she told me I was being released from the process. Both of them had very upset looks on their faces, and I didn't want to cry in front of them. I said it was ok and told them I was a bit in shock, but I will try again. Then I hugged them and thanked them for everything. I walked away with my head down and cried once I got back into my room.

I really don't understand what went wrong. I was so confident and excited. I know 2 of my visits were awkward, and it really does depend on who you talk to, but still. Maybe it was because there was only five sororities?

Spring Semester is about to begin and some sororities do host Informal Recruitment. I still really want to be in a sorority, and I am still going to be open-minded and try again. Everybody likes a positive attitude right? However, I am just extremely nervous! What if some girls remember me? What should I even say?! I definitely do not want to say I didn't get into a sorority. I know to be myself, but I am just worried about not getting a bid again.

Good luck to you during informal,when is it? Keep us updated

[AnotherKD]

Originally Posted by LSuz19

Lizzie McGuire- These girls were super classy and dressed very sophisticated. Their theme for the night was very cute, and I talked to some pretty cool girls. I asked them a couple questions about their philanthropy, and they were thrilled about my questions. I really liked this chapter especially after hearing negative things about them.

Interesting.

In all seriousness, just remember that you're not the only one that got released from recruitment. It happens all of the time, on pretty much every campus, for one reason or another. So don't be embarassed. There are people that go through recruitment multiple times (we're talking 3 or 4 here) and they end up getting a bid. Sometimes it works out, and sometimes it doesn't. You just have to keep a positive attitude and go into it as a slightly older and wiser person. Now you've got a bit of college under your belt- maybe you'll have more in common with some girls this time around. Just keep your head up, and good luck.

[DubaiSis]

Sadly, it's just one of those things. Go in with an open mind, which sounds like you did before and hope for the best. One thing you didn't mention. Were your grades acceptable before? The chapters all have different standards but probably very close. If you didn't meet them, it doesn't matter how well everything was going. If that was the case, hopefully you're in a better place now.

There could also have been some technical issues (I'm not going to get into RFM here - you can do a search) that made them make heavier than normal cuts after round 2. Ideally the cuts are even between each round so you don't get a big surprise like this, but that's all water under the bridge. Don't bring it up - they know. Just be enthusiastic and glad to be there. And make sure you are expressing interest without seeming desperate.

And if it doesn't work, remember, it's not the end of the world. There are other ways for you to have a happy and fulfilled college experience. Good luck! We here wish everyone (well just about, there are a few we root against) could find their perfect match. Let us know!

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Your school has multiple rounds on the same day? Or am I misreading?

[AZTheta]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

Your school has multiple rounds on the same day? Or am I misreading?

That's what I read also; Round 3 was two hours after Round 2. SMH.

[KSUViolet06]

Didn't catch that. How strange.

[TPA85]

Originally Posted by AzTheta

That's what I read also; Round 3 was two hours after Round 2. SMH.

That's how it was at my alma mater until recently (few years maybe?). We had philanthropy round, a few hours for a break (in which we were not allowed to change clothes or hairstyles) and then skit round that evening.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by TPA85

That's how it was at my alma mater until recently (few years maybe?). We had philanthropy round, a few hours for a break (in which we were not allowed to change clothes or hairstyles) and then skit round that evening.

Did you cut people during that time?

That's a lot of pressure on the sororities to have to do that so quickly.

[TPA85]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Did you cut people during that time?

That's a lot of pressure on the sororities to have to do that so quickly.

Yes, cuts were made after both of those rounds.
It wasn't too bad because we knew that even if we didn't cut in between rounds 2 and 3, we'd still have a cut left between 3-4 (Pref) so if we were on the fence about a few girls we just left them on the list and decided during Skits which list to put them on.

ETA: Not being allowed to change was for PNMs only. Along with doing a round of cuts, the collegians also had to do a wardrobe change AND since we did Frills recruitment, a whole room/theme change. It was super fun, I tell you.

[LSuz19]

Thank you everybody for your positive feedback! I really appreciate it!

To clear some things up:

1. When I go back to school, there is going to be a Spring Organization fair. The sororities will be there, and I will find out who is rushing. I will def keep ya'll posted on what is going to be happening. If none of the sororities are doing Spring Recruitment... I will go through Fall Recruitment again and give it another try.

2. Yes, my grades were above the min. requirement, but you never know...maybe they wanted higher. You have to have at least a 2.5 GPA here. But, nobody knows for sure if that was the reason. I know ya'll can't tell me why

3. And yes there were two rounds on one day. It was a saturday and one round was in the morning which ran into the early noon. Then we got a break to change and get ready for the sisterhood round. I'm not sure if they did skits there because I did not make it to that round.

4. I definitely know not to bring up me being cut from recruitment. It will certainly make myself seem desperate and look bad. I just don't know what to say if they ask, "Hey didn't I see/talk you to back in the fall?" I think I'm just going to tell them how I did go through recruitment back in the fall, but didn't know what to except. Now, I'm very excited to back and getting to know this sorority on a more intimate level and see how involved they are on campus....something like that. Unless, if there is something else I should say.

5. @ AnotherKD....I definitely agree about the getting used to college part. I am glad I got to focus on school work this past semester. I feel ready now that I have fully transitioned into college. Plus, I have talked and met a lot of girls in sororities, and they are really nice to be around in general.

More to info about what is going to happen soon! So stay tuned

[FSUZeta]

good luck LSuz19.

[LSuz19]

So today I found out that nobody is doing informal recruitment, which is a bummer. I am going to try again in the Fall and see what happens. I was talking with this guy who scared me by saying, "Since you have been through the process before...they prolly know everything about you, so I would be careful."

That really worries me I do have friends in sororities, and I'm not sure if that would help me or not, but they know I want to go greek and they also know that I really do enjoy my time here.

I'm going to go in with recs this time and see if that helps also. I talked with a girl who was in a sorority and she was the one who told me that nobody was rushing in the spring. She seemed really nice and she just got elected on the PHC board here, so she will be helping out during formal recruitment. I can't wait to go through formal again, but it is sure gonna take forever to get here!

[FSUZeta]

keep up with your sorority friends. grab a coffee or lunch with them. when having a conversation with them and there is a way to naturally bridge the current conversation to that of joining a sorority, do so-not every time you do something with them, but certainly share your hopes for a successful fall recruitment with them. you might ask them for any tips or advice they might be able to give you.

get those recs.

if you have not done so yet, join at least one campus organization that either pertains to your major, or that you have an interest in. study hard to get the best grades you can. make your facebook private and clean up your facebook if there are any photos that you wouldn't want your parents, your grandparents or your minister to see. if any sororities are holding fundraisers for their charities, participate in that event. every time you get your face in front of them in a positive manner is a good day.