Thoughts from Someone Who Went Through Formal Recruitment

[melindawarren]

Originally Posted by Anonymity

What I Am Doing After Formal Recruitment:
I definitely will go through formal recruitment a second time. I have a full year to do things that would help me look more appealing on paper. I have about a 3.3 GPA and I plan on raising it as much as I can this school year. One of the disappointments of not being in a sorority this year is that I don't get to participate in the philanthropies. Each chapter at my school does something amazing that benefits the community and their charities. To fill that void, I'm participating in a volunteer program through one of the school clubs that will visit shelters and hopefully more. I also plan on tutoring and volunteering at the local middle school and high schools. The volunteer program makes me feel better since I can still do something to benefit the local community.

I was thinking about doing informal recruitment but I decided to wait because I would like the chance to visit each chapter again. That's just a personal choice. Not being invited back to certain chapters for formal recruitment did some damage to my self-esteem and that doesn't seem like a normal reaction. I've had some depression over family problems in the past year and that baggage is not something I want to take with me to a sorority. I think I need to take this year to settle those issues.

If there's anything else I can add to this please let me know.

Thanks for adding this.

I would actually advise you to take a look at COB, especially if you really want to be Greek, for a few reasons. First, many chapters shine during informal in ways they simply can't during formal. It's not that they're "bad" chapters, but they may just have a different vibe that doesn't really work with formal recruitment and the format (let's all be honest here-formal is a difficult format for any kind of "getting to know you" activity). During informal, I actually felt like I got to know the people who rushed me. Second, informal can a lot more fun than formal recruitment because, usually, the chapters involved have a lot more freedom in planning their events. You probably won't actually think you're being rushed. Lastly, you say you have a 3.3 GPA-how far are you in college? At many schools, going through as a sophomore is tough and going through as a junior is nearly (if not completely) impossible.

Also, rejection can mess with your self-esteem; there's nothing abnormal about that-it's learning how to handle it that makes the difference between high and low self-esteem.

[Anonymity]

Originally Posted by melindawarren

Thanks for adding this.

I would actually advise you to take a look at COB, especially if you really want to be Greek, for a few reasons. First, many chapters shine during informal in ways they simply can't during formal. It's not that they're "bad" chapters, but they may just have a different vibe that doesn't really work with formal recruitment and the format (let's all be honest here-formal is a difficult format for any kind of "getting to know you" activity). During informal, I actually felt like I got to know the people who rushed me. Second, informal can a lot more fun than formal recruitment because, usually, the chapters involved have a lot more freedom in planning their events. You probably won't actually think you're being rushed. Lastly, you say you have a 3.3 GPA-how far are you in college? At many schools, going through as a sophomore is tough and going through as a junior is nearly (if not completely) impossible.

Also, rejection can mess with your self-esteem; there's nothing abnormal about that-it's learning how to handle it that makes the difference between high and low self-esteem.

I'm actually a junior this year and next year will be my senior year :/. Not the easiest time to rush but my school isn't too competitive. My rho chi even said she had seniors in her pledge class. But I will check out COB when the time comes.

I guess the saddest part about rush was that I really liked the girls I talk to and I don't know if they just didn't like me enough or something else. Either way, I'm lucky to have fun memories from recruitment!

[thetalady]

Originally Posted by Anonymity

I guess the saddest part about rush was that I really liked the girls I talk to and I don't know if they just didn't like me enough or something else.

Honestly for me, the very saddest part of this that you didn't like the girls that liked you enough to invite you back to pref. They would likely have offered you a bid to join their organization. You actually had a successful rush, especially considering you are a junior.

Originally Posted by Anonymity

On Preference Night, I was invited back to two sororities that I felt like I had not connected with... I ended up withdrawing from recruitment after Pref. night because I didn't want both chapters to waste a bid on me.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by Anonymity

My rho chi even said she had seniors in her pledge class.

I don't know what school you are at, but I would find this EXTREMELY surprising at virtually any recruitment. Trust me, you are not going to have more options as a senior than you did as a junior. Approach the chapters doing COB now, or accept that you probably won't be Greek.