Soliloquy's Fall 2007 recruitment

[Soliloquy]

Hey everyone! I'm Venice's friend and I've decided to rush too. We're both in the same boat with our school involvement and things that may hinder us. So it will be interesting to see what will happen!

I didn't go through rush last year or any cob events this year because I really just wanted to get a feel of what our greek life was on campus first. I like to observe before making choices; I learned the hard way what happens when you make rash ones.

I'm working hard on getting recommendations. I've been following Venice's advice and I think I may have some. One girl who is actually graduating this year said she would write one for me. Do you ladies think that's inappropriate or will it mean more to the respective sorority because it's from a recent member? Hopefully the latter will be true.

So the groups (after some of my favorite groups!):
Copeland
311
Alexisonfire
Damone

I really love all of the sororities on campus and I know I am going to have a tough choice to make. There's something about each that I love that would make me want to join:

Copeland: A lot of the girls in this group are some of the sweetest I've met. I love how they interact with each other.

311: I dig their philanthropy a lot and the activities they do for them.

Damone: I also dig their philanthropy and a lot of the sisters I've met from here have wonderful humor.

Alexisonfire: Unique group of girls who really seem to have their hands in everything.

Disclaimer: not that the others don't display equivalent qualities- these are just the ones that stick out to me the most throughout the year. They're more or less the collective reasons as to why I want to rush

[LOVEinZTA]

Originally Posted by Soliloquy

I'm working hard on getting recommendations. I've been following Venice's advice and I think I may have some. One girl who is actually graduating this year said she would write one for me. Do you ladies think that's inappropriate or will it mean more to the respective sorority because it's from a recent member? Hopefully the latter will be true.

I wonder about this as well sometimes - I had a rec letter for one of the chapters on campus written by a girl who had graduated the previous spring. IMO (being a collegiate member) someone who had just graduated from my own chapter might be able to write a rec that relates better to our chapter BUT if the rec-writer graduated not in the best standing then it might not go over so well (i.e. the writer was one strike away from some big judicial problems and as such how do we know the girl she writing for isn't the same?).

[FSUZeta]

this is strictly my opinion, but one rec. would not hold more influence than another. in other words, a newly graduated sisters rec. would not carry more weight than a 30 year members, especially if the pnm did not meet all the criteria the chapter was looking for in a member. in that same vein, a pnm would not be penalized if her rec. was written by a newly graduated member. it is more the content of the rec, than who wrote it, and long as the writer is a member in good standing.

the pnm has to sell herself and exhibit those qualities that would help her to fit in with the chapter, and then the rec. would sort of be the icing on the cake.

[ASUADPi]

First let me say YEAH to a recruitment thread even though it is only May. Seriously, you go through withdrawl. LOL.

Second, good luck with recruitment. You sound like you have a good head on your shoulders.

[twinkle555]

Go Alexisonfire! good luck

[Soliloquy]

Thank you for the replies ladies.

I met with a 2 alums and an active of 311 recently, and they gave me some wonderful advice about rush. They even practiced rushed me by asking some stereotypical questions and critiqued my answers! They want me to have a successful rush, even if I do not end up at their house, because they are so confident that I would be a great sorority woman. I know that this is by no means a guarantee that I will get a bid, but it felt great to have a bit of confidence placed in me. I think that I will not be nearly as nervous during rush now- due to their help! I'm so blessed to have such incredible friends

Oh! Come to find out, recommendations are not a big deal at my school and if I do not have any it will not hurt me- *whew*

I am very exicted now and simply cannot wait until for the rush period to begin! I certainly hope things will end in my favor and I find a home, if not than that is ok- but those sort of thoughts have not put a damper in my enthusiasm!

[Forgetmenotivy]

Soliloquy, I am a chapter advisor from a chapter like you are describing Copeland. Plus I was in your shoes 30 years ago this fall as my chapter was also struggling when I joined and I had been rushed hard by Kappa Delta during the prior spring but they were at total and couldn’t take anyone until formal recruitment. When I opened my pref invites it only showed Alpha Phi. I was devastated but mainly surprised. I didn't know what to do. I didn’t know what I had done. Back then we didn’t have Rho Chis to talk to. I had and still do have so many friends in Kappa Delta. I don’t hold any ill feeling towards Kappa Delta. It is a great organization.

I too, sucked it up and went to pref. I gave Alpha Phi a chance. That was the best decision I ever made. I will never forget my KDee friends coming up to me on Bid Day saying how proud of me they were that I had joined Alpha Phi. They said it would be KDee’s loss and Aphi’s triumphant. I have been involved in Alpha Phi ever since. It was the best thing that could have happened to me at the time but I couldn’t see it at the time. When I went to Pref I listened to the woman that was preffing me. Alpha Phi truly wanted me and saw their future involving me.

If you take away all the letters, decorations, symbols, and accessories all groups are the same. They all have parties and socialize; they all have sisterhood and care for each other; they all do community service and philanthropy; they all have their successes and failures. Sorority Life is what YOU make it! I have proven that! I would not trade Alpha Phi for all the gold in the world now but I know it is hard to see at the time. Go where you are wanted and can have a great experience. I have had women in my 10 years as chapter advisor that pledge Alpha Phi, that thought at the time they were taking their second or third choice but if you ask them today they realize they really got their first and only choice for them. I have also seen women go where they thought they should be and didn’t find the treasure they saw during recruitment. Give Copeland a chance and I bet you will find what you were looking for. Don’t ever look back!!

[Soliloquy]

Well I took the advice of those who posted here, along with the advice of my mom, my gamma chi, and my best friend. I went to my single pref party this morning.

I was upset driving there thinking about how unfair it was. I moped during the our group meeting. I pouted and shuffled my way to the lane. I was sad standing in line; looking longingly at the Alexisonfire and 311 houses. Then suddenly the Copeland doors opened and I heard the soft singing. I felt my heart skip a beat and a smile rise out of nowhere. A smile? I haven't smiled in 12 hours! I was greeted by the girl who rushed me (we'll call her "Marilyn") the first day, the one from my homestate. My name was announced and I was led further into the house. I looked around and noticed how beautiful all the actives looked. My heart swelled with pride. Pride? I smiled, now I'm proud?! What's going on here?!

The president gave a short wonderful speech and we sat for a few minutes with the ladies who pref'd us. "Marilyn" said how excited she was that I chose to come back. She also said that all 6 girls who rushed me the past few days were fighting over who got to pref me today. I felt adored. Marilyn pulled the hometown card and ended up "winning me," as she put it. I was glad she was the one to do it.

The ceremony was gorgeous. I have to admit that I cried. Especially when the girls dedicated this entire recruitment, and a song, to the girl was killed in a car-wreck earlier this year (as I mentioned in my thread).

Marilyn walked me out and started to cry as she said, "I really hope I get to see you at bid-night." She gave me a big hug and I walked out of the door. I couldn't believe that time had passed so quickly. I couldn't believe that not once during their ceremony did I think of 311 or Alexisonfire. I went to sign my pref card and was certain that God knew where I belonged the entire time; and that my dear friend who died, was definitely watching over me.


We will get our bids around 6:00 tonight. I can sincerely say that I hope it says Copeland on it. If it does, you better believe I will be the sprinting to the lane to join my new sisters!

[AlphaXi_Husky]

That is so wonderful Soliloquy! It's great to hear you had such a good pref party at Copeland and you feel like you really belong there. Try not to let nerves get the best of you today as you wait for 6pm!

[MerryGPhiB]

Soliloquy, as I sat here reading this morning about your getting only the one house back ,my heart dropped. And then I thought, it CAN be the the right house for you. You spoke about the other women around the room who could be in your pledge class- the women in my pledge class are women who are still some of my dearest friends today. ( 32 years after bid day!)

As I read further the note from the Alpha Phi, my heart was touched and it is a message I would love every PNM to hear. Thank you so much for sharing your story and I hope others reading this thread will get a chance to read it. You truly touched my heart, thank you.

S, I must say you have such a wonderful outlook and mature attitude, Copeland will be a lucky VERY lucky group to get such an outstanding woman.

Please keep us posted!

[Benzgirl]

Originally Posted by Soliloquy

We will get our bids around 6:00 tonight. I can sincerely say that I hope it says Copeland on it. If it does, you better believe I will be the sprinting to the lane to join my new sisters!

What a great story. Can't wait to hear the results. Best of luck to you tonight.

[tinydancer16]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you tonight. I am hoping so much for you to get the sisters you deserve

[AlwaysSAI]

I'm rooting for you and keeping my fingers crossed for Copeland!!!!

Only 3 hours and 50 minutes until bid day!

[KSUViolet06]

This is an awesome story and a great example to PNMs in the future about how important it is to keep an open mind.

[twinkle555]

Im so happy you had a good time at Copeland..even though you werent sure it was where you belonged. Best of luck to you.. 6:00 cant come soon enough!!