Continental Recruitment

[queenofindiana]

So I'm currently a junior member of my chapter, but I've been saving and saving my notes from my freshman year recruitment for a good time. Now that I'm the Recruitment Chair, I figured coming back to the magical time would be a perfect way to start off my position!

So anyways, there are 7 sororities on my campus and there are 7 continents!

Day 1

Day 1 was our open house day and I was so nervous and so COLD. We do spring recruitment and I go to a college in the Midwest so it was quite chilly!

Starting things off I went to Africa and for it being my first round on the first day, it left a little more to be desired, but I really liked it. I talked to two different ladies, and the last girl I talked to was really nice and made me feel at ease. Their decorations and outfits were simple, which I thought was nice and helped me focus on the conversations instead of the physical stuff.

Then, I went to Antarctica, and I LOVED it there. The girl I had gave me a little house tour and then we sat with two other PNMs and two other actives. Our conversation was lively and I really enjoyed myself there. I then was bumped to a different girl and we had a one on one conversation about our families back home, which we are both very close to. I remember leaving this house completely head over heels.

At Asia, I remember singing their opening chant for hours after leaving their house! All together though, my experience was pretty basic. There were basic questions asked and answered, and I was a little bored, to be honest. However, I knew a couple of girls at this house and wanted to come back.

I really did not enjoy Australia. I was paired with a girl who was really trashy in my opinion and didn’t want to talk about anything other than fraternity events and boys. Don’t get me wrong, boy talk is fun at the right times, but definitely not on day 1 of recruitment! I was also just had a gut feeling that this house was not my home.

I was pleasantly surprised at Europe. I had heard not very good things about them all semester long before recruitment, so I was a little apprehensive about going there. However, they really impressed me with how much the strength of their sisterhood shined through in the first 10 minutes of being there! I had a really good conversation about my older biological sister and I at the end of the round, I found myself really wanting to come back!

North America was probably the house I was most excited to visit, since I had such a positive experience with them during meals and house tours in the previous semester. I remember having a really sincere conversation about the reason I wanted to go through recruitment and what I was looking to get out of it, which was a nice change from the “What’s your major? Where are you from?” questions I had been answering all day. I was bumped to a girl I had met in the previous semester and we had a good time catching up. I didn’t want to leave at the end of the party!

While visiting South America, I felt really weird the entire time. I don’t know why or what it was about it, but there was just something in the atmosphere that wouldn’t let me relax. I kind of felt like I was at my Great Aunt’s house where I could touch anything. However, my conversations were fine, and these girls had an impeccable image on campus so I really really wanted to come back.

At the end of the day, I was completely exhausted and very glad I took notes between rounds, or I never would have been able to rank.

Rankings on Day 1 from highest to lowest:
North America
South America
Antarctica
Africa
Europe
Asia
Australia

[LIXO]

Great timing since there is not much going on this time of year :-) Thanks for sharing.

[queenofindiana]

Day 2

After not getting a phone call in the morning, I was happy to be going back to some houses for skits! However, that happiness quickly turned to despair when I got my schedule for the day.

While it’s normal for girls to have 5-6 houses to go back to for Skit Day, I only had 3.

Africa, Europe and Asia.

With none of those being very high on my initial list, I had to work really hard to keep my composure while my Rho Gamma made sure I was alright. (We really connected through this process from Day 1, which was really really awesome.) I said I was and that I was thankful to be going back to any houses when some girls weren’t going back at all.

Fortunately I had about an hour before my first party, so I was able to call my mom and my sister to vent my sadness.

I went to Europe for the first party, and I really enjoyed myself there. After that morning I was looking to be cheered up and that’s just what I got! Their skit was very sweet and true to their personalities which I really appreciated. I was then paired with a girl who I had know in the semester before, which made me feel a lot better. We had a really amazing conversation about the both of us being involved in marching band in our high school years, which was something we were both passionate about. Another member joined us and the three of us talked a while about our siblings, which was another topic very close to my heart. By the time I had to leave, my mood was much better and my heart felt really good there.

Next was Africa, which I was really very impressed with! They had the most darling skit and theme for the day (Finding Nemo!) and their decorations and outfits were really clean and classy. I talked to a couple of different girls about my passion for kids, especially my little cousin. I also talked with the one member about my recruitment experience to that point, and choosing to focus on the positive, we had a really honest and refreshing conversation about turning something that could be upsetting into a new and exciting experience. I really felt myself relax here and I found myself really appreciating the diversity of personalities and experiences of the girls in this house. I really wanted to come back!

Lastly was Asia. I felt really disappointed with my conversations here and one active members I was talking with asked me about my past romantic relationships, which was really strange and kind of a sensitive topic for me. I could tell she was mortified that she asked and it was kind of something that slipped out, so I let it slide since I was having such a good day. Their skit was pure gold, and I was glad my visit ended on a high note.

So for the rankings at the end of the day went again from highest to lowest:
Europe
Africa
Asia

I also forgot to mention that we do a deferred recruitment, so we all come back to campus a week earlier than everyone else to get all of our days done that week and Bid Day being the Sunday before class starts.

[queenofindiana]

Day 3

Again, no phone call, which made me happy to get asked back for Philanthropy Day!

I got my list, which had 2 houses on it.

Africa and Europe.

Alright, I felt very comfortable and my heart was happy at those houses, so I was very relieved. I wasn’t all that upset the Asia decided to let me go, since I remembered the conversation from the day before.

My day started out with Europe again. While I really enjoyed my time there the past two days, I kind of felt my love of them slip during my time there for this round. It wasn’t necessarily something that was said or done, I just kind of got the feeling that I would feel like something was missing if I became a sister of Europe. However, they are very dedicated to their philanthropy, which is a cause that is very very close to my heart. Their craft was difficult for me to complete and make look good, but that was okay since the member I was talking to joked about it with me. I still loved the personality of these girls and I could be silly and comfortable there, but I couldn’t shake that gut feeling that something wasn’t right. Still, I left feeling good and ready for my next party.

Africa was a so much fun, I loved it there that round. The craft was simple but unique and made complete sense for their philanthropy. I didn’t know much about their philanthropy going into the round, but the more I learned about it, the more I wanted to be apart of helping their cause. I was also paired with one of the girls I talked to on the first day of recruitment and it was great catching up with her. We talked about some deeper subjects, like what values are important to me and what I wanted to feel like when I was in a house. I then talked to another active member who I absolutely loved and could see as being what I would want in a big sister/mentor. That struck me as strange that I was feeling this strongly about the girls in this house, but I was finally beginning to get that feeling that some people I knew who went greek already talked about. The magical feeling of “this is where I belong.” My heart felt very at home here and I definitely felt like I could open up and talk about anything there. I left feeling surreal. I wanted to be an Africa so so bad.

So, here comes the weird part of my story. I went through recruitment in January 2014, which was the year that the Midwest was hit with over a foot of snow and probably about two inches of ice and sleet. With travel being delayed so much because of all of that mess, recruitment was shortened to three days instead of four. A usual recruitment at my school goes 8-Party Day, Philanthropy Day, Skit Day, Pref Day and then Bid Day. With the delay though, the week went 8-Party Day, Skit Day, Phil Day and Pref NIGHT and then Bid Day.

TL;DR I had to rank my houses right after I was done in Africa so I could get a list (or no list, eek!) of houses for Pref Night that night.

SO my ranks obviously were:
Africa
Europe

I then went back to my room to shower and prepare for Pref Night!

[queenofindiana]

Night 3? Day 4? Eh, doesn’t matter.

Pref Night

Again, no phone call! I was so excited to get my list.

Europe and Africa!

I was very very excited. Going back to these two houses were the perfect thing for me to know what the right choice would be for me.

So I set off to Europe first, again. I sat with one of their senior members who I had spoken with in the week before. Since this was her last recruitment, I could tell this was something very special to her. We talked a long while about a dreams and what we wanted for our future and what we wanted for right now. She and I both teared up when we began talking about the effect Europe’s sisterhood had on her throughout her college years. I could clearly tell how much she loved Europe and how close and strong their sisterhood was. It was an amazing conversation, we were so calm with each other, which really helped set the mood for their ceremony.

Their ceremony was simple and sincere. I could practically feel the love these girls had for each other radiating off of them. The words of their seniors were beautiful and so meaningful. I felt very good here. I was in love with their sisterhood and left their house not knowing how I was going to make it through Africa’s round.

I had around an hour before I was set to go to Africa. I didn’t write much about my thoughts during my time at Europe because I wanted to preserve my mood and feeling for as long as possible.

Finally, it was time to go to Africa. My last and final round of formal recruitment before Bid Day. I was greeted at the door by someone I had never seen before. I was kind of surprised, since I had heard that they usually pair you with someone you talked to earlier in the week. However, none of that mattered once I started talking to her. To say we were a perfect match is an understatement. Of course, the conversation started out with silly questions, since we didn’t know each other very well. Our conversation was flawless. It flowed effortlessly into more serious topics like values I hold dear to my heart and my hometown best friend who I’ve been friends with since first grade. However, the thing that most stuck out to me in our conversation was when she talked about her recruitment experience. It almost resembled mine, she told me that she, like myself, doesn’t consider herself someone who would typically go through recruitment. She told me about her experiences at Africa in her recruitment year, and started tearing up. I also told her about how I’ve felt at home every round at Africa and began tearing up as well. I couldn’t believe how quickly this girl and I connected and how amazing my heart felt in this house.

We then went into the ceremony portion of the round, which was breathtaking. I was completely blown away with the sincerity of their words and the meaning behind their objects they had us hold. I was captivated the entire time and I have to admit I was crying along with the actives. This was a place where I felt so comfortable with myself and my purpose of going through recruitment in the first place, something that I hadn’t felt at all, even since before I signed up for recruitment. I was so amazed that I was feeling so many things in this small room, it was surreal. I didn’t want to leave this house at all. However, it couldn’t last forever, and I left Africa after hugging and getting a good luck from the active member who I spoke to that night.

I was sold on Africa after that party. I thought to myself while putting in my preferences in the computer that I would be happy with a bid from Europe, but I knew in my heart I wanted to be an Africa so so much.

So, with that, I pressed the submit button that put Africa as my number one.

[queenofindiana]

Bid Day!

Bid Day was finally here. I didn’t get a phone call so I received a bid from someone! AH!

I nervously walked by myself to the classroom where my Rho Gamma and recruitment group mates were waiting. I waited along with the rest of the group while my Rho Gamma pulled girls out one by one to present them with their little envelopes. Finally, she called my name very last. I was so nervous and shaky, so my Rho Gamma decided to present my envelope in our classroom. She told me that no matter what was in the envelope, Europe or Africa, she was insanely proud of me for getting through recruitment week and said that she really valued our relationship through it all. No matter what, she was going to be excited for whatever card I pulled out. So after a deep breath, I opened the envelope and pulled out the bid card.

IT WAS AFRICA!

I instantly burst into tears, and I mean full on crying. I hugged my Rho Gamma and thanked her so much for walking through this week with me. She was also crying and said she was very proud of me and to go meet my new sisters.

So, I ran home to the girl who I talked to on pref night and to all of my
PI BETA PHI sisters!

I have been living happily ever after since. There has not been one moment where I haven’t been insanely in love with the wine and silver blue.

A word to all of those going through recruitment soon enough, you have so much to look forward to. It’s gonna be a roller coaster, but you will love it!

Thanks for reading everyone!

PPL&M

[altheafl]

So happy to hear that you ended up in such a wonderful house!

[Alpha O]

Thank you for sharing your story with us, a belated congratulations on finding your sisterhood in Pi Beta Phi, and a big congratulations on becoming recruitment chair! That must be such an honor!

[Sciencewoman]

Congratulations! My daughter is Pi Phi...she's a senior now and I can't believe how fast the years have gone by!

[honeychile]

Thank you for sharing your story! I seem to be surrounded by Pi Phis lately, and it's definitely a good thing!

[sigmagirl2000]

Congrats. Just curious. Why is day 1 normally 8 party day if there are 7 sororities on your campus?

[queenofindiana]

Originally Posted by sigmagirl2000

Congrats. Just curious. Why is day 1 normally 8 party day if there are 7 sororities on your campus?

To be honest, I have no idea. In the 50s and 60s there used to be 8 organizations you could join, but one had left our campus in the 80s. Maybe my school just hasn't changed the name for simplicity's sake? It's a mystery, that's for sure!

[queenofindiana]

Thanks for the kind words, everyone! I'm very excited to be starting on my recruitment duties.

[peachgirl]

Loved reading your story!