Another SEC Recruitment Story, Cut Short

[gatorgeneration]

I'm kind of amazed at the responses I received; it's almost like I'm being criticized for going with a gut feeling. But I guess I may have been vague/worded my response incorrectly so here's an edit:

For one, I do appreciate others that have differing interests as me, but I would like to meet a handful of sisters that perhaps I could bond with over my own interests. And yes, my interests aren't very common. And for the record, several other houses I spoke with did have sisters interested in my uncommon hobbies. (I'd rather not mention them for identification reasons.)

Second, I would like to point out something I forgot to mention: I was invited to go back to the house and will be giving it one more go. I plan on speaking to some of the girls that were not there the other night; hopefully third time's the charm. I plan on going in with an open mind and hope to make a friend, but if my instincts tell me it's not for me, then I'm trusting my gut.

Overall, I believe I did the right thing by giving this opportunity a go; just because I didn't feel a click both out in this social setting and during formal recruitment doesn't mean I made the wrong choice. I'm aware I may not have another opportunity to go Greek, and that's fine. I'd rather be a non-Greek than be apart of a sorority I don't feel comfortable in.

[carnation]

Well, give it a try and see what happens!

[adpiucf]

Originally Posted by gatorgeneration

I'd rather be a non-Greek than be apart of a sorority I don't feel comfortable in.

In all seriousness, I applaud you for having the maturity to come to this decision. I hope, however, that you will see that the average person can find a way be comfortable and get along with a group of 200 members, and that your three meetings with this chapter have only been fleeting first impressions. I get the sense that you do realize this, and I'm a big proponent of following your gut instincts. I wish you all the best at UF!

[thetalady]

Originally Posted by gatorgeneration

I'm aware I may not have another opportunity to go Greek, and that's fine. I'd rather be a non-Greek than be apart of a sorority I don't feel comfortable in.

This is what we want to make sure that you really accept. Most of us here are Greek, so we love sharing that experience with other girls. If you decide that you would really rather forgo a Greek experience than accept a bid from this group, then that is your choice. I don't think anyone here will criticize you for it. We just don't want you to regret the decision down the road.

[adpiucf]

Originally Posted by thetalady

This is what we want to make sure that you really accept. Most of us here are Greek, so we love sharing that experience with other girls. If you decide that you would really rather forgo a Greek experience than accept a bid from this group, then that is your choice. I don't think anyone here will criticize you for it. We just don't want you to regret the decision down the road.

Yes. This! We all had such great experiences that we want the same for you. Again, I hear what you are saying about gut instincts, but I would urge you to accept a bid if offered and try it out. You can always drop before initiation if it really isn't right for you. This way, you can have the experience and know for sure by giving it more time if you do get a bid from this group. This is an exciting time for you, and I hope you're having fun in Gainesville!

[sigmadiva]

Originally Posted by gatorgeneration

I'm kind of amazed at the responses I received; it's almost like I'm being criticized for going with a gut feeling. But I guess I may have been vague/worded my response incorrectly so here's an edit:

For one, I do appreciate others that have differing interests as me, but I would like to meet a handful of sisters that perhaps I could bond with over my own interests. And yes, my interests aren't very common. And for the record, several other houses I spoke with did have sisters interested in my uncommon hobbies. (I'd rather not mention them for identification reasons.)

Second, I would like to point out something I forgot to mention: I was invited to go back to the house and will be giving it one more go. I plan on speaking to some of the girls that were not there the other night; hopefully third time's the charm. I plan on going in with an open mind and hope to make a friend, but if my instincts tell me it's not for me, then I'm trusting my gut.

Overall, I believe I did the right thing by giving this opportunity a go; just because I didn't feel a click both out in this social setting and during formal recruitment doesn't mean I made the wrong choice. I'm aware I may not have another opportunity to go Greek, and that's fine. I'd rather be a non-Greek than be apart of a sorority I don't feel comfortable in.

I'm not in a NPC sorority, but I am in a sorority.

I hear what you are saying, and I agree with what has been posted by the NPC members here: If you really feel that you don't have a connection with this chapter, then don't join.

But, there is one aspect I think you should consider: maybe they want you because you are the change they want to see in their chapter. Since you feel no connection to the chapter, which I believe, maybe they want you so that in future recruitments you can be the one to attract more members like you. Essentially, you are the change they want to be. They have to start somewhere, and they are starting with you.

But again, if you really feel no connection, then don't join.

[Venusloves11]

Originally Posted by sigmadiva

But, there is one aspect I think you should consider: maybe they want you because you are the change they want to see in their chapter. Since you feel no connection to the chapter, which I believe, maybe they want you so that in future recruitments you can be the one to attract more members like you. Essentially, you are the change they want to be. They have to start somewhere, and they are starting with you.

What sigmadiva mentioned might be the case. My roommate during freshman year did formal recruitment and each day we would go back to the dorm together and talk about the different groups and our feelings. During the two rounds where the chapters invited you back (sisterhood day and pref day) she kept getting invited back to group XYZ and couldn't figure out why. She told me that she felt like she was the polar opposite from a lot of the sisters (looks, personality, priorities, everything!). Well, anyways, they ended up offering her a bid and she figured that she would give them a try and accepted it. I know that she was much happier once she got to bond with her pledge class and met more of the sisters. She ended up moving into the house for the spring semester so it couldn't have been too bad! It turns out that the sorority was looking to become more diverse and she was one of the first steps in that.

It doesn't hurt you to meet more of the girls if they invite you back. They haven't offered you a bid yet.