Rush - What to NOT do or say

[carnation]

You might rephrase that so that nobody thinks you're staggering from bar to bar with them.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by Lbevans12

Ok, so if I am rushing at a large SEC school in the south, if they ask me what I do for fun is it ok to say "I like to go out with my friends... "?

Originally Posted by carnation

You might rephrase that so that nobody thinks you're staggering from bar to bar with them.

Well, at least do some follow up to make sure it sounds reasonably wholesome. People in the groups probably do go to bars with their friends sometimes, as anyone who has every been to Athens, Georgia can attest, but it's not going to be a rush conversation topic at most chapters..

So name some stuff you and your friends like to go out and do without getting liquored up.

[Naddy08]

Originally Posted by carnation

You might rephrase that so that nobody thinks you're staggering from bar to bar with them.

LOL! That'll make a great conversation

[ceruleanstar]

I'll be rushing very soon... Just wanted to ask a quick question about conversation. Last year, I pledged a non-Panhellenic sorority (I'm of an ethnic minority and I thought this would be a great idea to join a GLO with a cultural twist) and depledged because I felt that I was hazed and because I was disappointed with the sorority's lack of enthusiasm and philanthropic work. Should I truthfully mention this at rush if sorority women ask why I didn't do Panhellenic rush last year and/or why I didn't go through with being initiated at the non-Panhellenic sorority? Or would this be seen as trash-talking another GLO?

[Lightning Bug!]

Just say it wasn't what you were looking for...the active rushing you probably will ask, "What are you looking for?" not "What did they do to you?", giving you a chance to talk about what you are looking for in a sisterhood. And if they do ask about the negative ("What happened?"), then restate your first answer and elaborate..."Oh, it just wasn't what I was looking for..I'm really interested in finding a home that offers X, Y, and Z..."

Now if they ask about why you didn't rush in the Panhellenic system last year, then you might say that it took you a year to realize that it was a Panhellenic sorority that would offer you those things that you were looking for.

Originally Posted by ceruleanstar

I'll be rushing very soon... Just wanted to ask a quick question about conversation. Last year, I pledged a non-Panhellenic sorority (I'm of an ethnic minority and I thought this would be a great idea to join a GLO with a cultural twist) and depledged because I felt that I was hazed and because I was disappointed with the sorority's lack of enthusiasm and philanthropic work. Should I truthfully mention this at rush if sorority women ask why I didn't do Panhellenic rush last year and/or why I didn't go through with being initiated at the non-Panhellenic sorority? Or would this be seen as trash-talking another GLO?

I was in the same boat almost 10 years ago...hazed and all.

If asked why you didn't go through Panhellenic rush last year, I'd be straight up and front with them. If they ask why you weren't initiated, just say that you realized that it wasn't a good fit for you, and that's why you left. It's general and it doesn't put anyone down.

Chances are, the girls probably already know how your former group really is, so there's really no need to go into details.

When I joined my NPC sorority, I was up front with them. In fact, it was their Fall pledges who saw me crying at the top of the stairs because I had just come from a really crappy local pledge meeting. I got to know these new girls really well after that, and I was initiated the following Spring.

[lady bri]

Whatever you do just be yourself, any sorority will like you for who you are not for who you're pretending to be.

[NancyT6061]

Top sororities are not just looking for another cute, fun member. Top sororities are looking for what PNMs can contribute to the sorority, sisterhood and campus life.

Academics, character, leadership and the ability to be a good friend are always valuable. Having something special that PNMs can bring like a talent, skill, interest or likely role to enrich the chapter, sorority or campus is always important.

Party girls with questionable grades are a dime a dozen and frequently create problems without contributing much to the sisterhood. Truly strong houses have figured that out and aren't swayed by that.

I'm a former sorority advisor and and when the chapters I advised were able to grasp these principles and recruit for girls exhibiting these characteristics, their recuitment and campus standing immediately soared.

PNMs want to be a part of something they can respect and strive to be a part of.

[ΑΓΔSquirrel10]

DON'T say anything negative about ANY sorority during rush. One girl this year was trying to guess what sorority her Pi Chi (or Rho Chi, Gamma Chi, whatever your school calls them) was in. She said, to the Pi Chi's face:
"Well, I know you can't be an XYZ, because you are way too pretty to be one of them."
Turns out, the Pi Chi was a member of XYZ sorority, and she had to excuse herself before she started bawling her eyes out in front of everyone.

[AOIIalum]

ΑΓΔSquirrel10, it takes a lot to shock me these days and that did. What a horrible thing to say to anyone, let alone your recruitment counselor!

[AOII_LB93]

Originally Posted by AOIIalum

ΑΓΔSquirrel10, it takes a lot to shock me these days and that did. What a horrible thing to say to anyone, let alone your recruitment counselor!

Sadly, this is not the first time I have heard of this happening. Some people just have little or no tact.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by AOII_LB93

Sadly, this is not the first time I have heard of this happening. Some people just have little or no tact.

True.

Advice to PNMs:

If you should happen to be so tactless as to insult a sorority to your Rho Chi/Pi Chi/whatever, don't assume that because she is disaffiliated that she does not care or is just going to ignore it.

Yes in perfect world, Rho Chi's would remain perfectly neutral and not care what PNMs said about which chapters.

But in the days of texting/Facebook/MySpace messaging, it would be very easy for an insulted Rho Chi to send a message out to her friends in other chapters or her own chapter telling them that you're a rude little snot. So it definitely pays to watch what you say.

[mahdian]

so im about to rush soon.. i was wondering if it would be okay, if a girl were to ask me why i wanted to join a sorority, to mention something along the line of 'last year could have been better if i had decided to rush'.

i mean obviouslyyyy im in it for the great friends, lasting relationships with others in greeklife, networking, the social aspect, and the charity/service work; but i want to be honest and say that greekolife would be the perfect addition to my college experience... but how do i sqay that in a well-thought-out way?? how honest is too honest??

[33girl]

"I think I missed out on a lot of great times by not being Greek last year."

To say being Greek would be a "perfect addition to your college experience" sounds like it's something you can go to the store and purchase or like you're just trying to pad your resume.

[mahdian]

youre right it sounds dumb now that i think of it.. thanks so much!!