Thinking about going through recruitment for the 2nd time? Here's why you SHOULD! - Page 3

FSUZeta · #31 09-09-2010, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by violetpretty

Exactly. The title also implies, "You should rerush because you'll get your dream house just like I did." And FSUCasper, we (as members of GLOs) know that there are no guarantees, but not all PNMs realize that.

Every year, plenty of PNMs rerush expecting better results next time. Better results don't happen the second time unless something has changed to make them a better candidate. Better grades, more friends in chapters, leadership on campus, better conversational skills, etc.

I'd like the OP to reflect on what she thinks she did better the second time to improve her results.

that would be so helpful to other pnms.

congratulations to you!!! how wonderful. would you please tell us which sorority you are a new member of?

EE-BO · #32 09-09-2010, 10:46 PM

I am glad you got the chapter you always wanted- things worked out well for you (perhaps better than you realize given how these stories about trying again often go.)

But let me please also chime in with some thoughts for the benefit of PNMs who read this. I am especially keen to speak because you are addressing your message to those who drop out of recruitment voluntarily versus those who are dropped.

As you yourself said, you were extended COBs in the spring. You actually went through some form of rush 3 times. And then in the end you got the house you really wanted. That is rare. At least at the COB houses you were surely a very well-known entity going into fall rush- someone who had been there twice before and did not take a bid. Opinions vary, but I think it is better to rush for the first time as a sophomore than be the girl who turned down bids, or chances at bids, twice. It varies by situation of course, but I am just talking general odds for the benefit of those who may choose to take this gamble.

Consider yourself extremely fortunate. And, not knowing your chapter or being an expert on FSU, if this story played out in a very competitive recruitment environment and if guitar was a "highly sought" house- you have beaten odds 1,000s never could. At many schools, Texas and Georgia included where I have specific direct experience, your story- for all practical purposes- does not happen. And on this site, there is a lot of focus on these more competitive schools since so much guidance and planning are required.

If a PNM decides to drop out of rush and keep on rushing in the hopes of getting "that certain house" (which is the subtext of your stories whether you intend it or not), that person is playing a very dangerous game and, often times, making judgments about where they "belong" based on preconceived notions about where they should be- notions that arise either before rush when one is not savvy to the Greek environment or during rush which is an incredibly stressful time and every single conversation or 30 second experience can appear to have epic, life-altering effects.

What happened worked for you, and for those who are not successful in their first recruitment it is good for them to see a story such as yours.

But as someone already said, the best advice you can give should be more focused on what you did the second time around to get a better outcome. As the thread reads, it looks like you had the same approach both times in formal rush, and the stars somehow aligned for you at your third time at bat.

Would you consider posting more about the specifics of how you were better prepared this time? This is a rare story, but a good one. I think you could make it most valuable by focusing on how you specifically grew in the process versus talking the numbers of invites each round etc. That is the information that will help future PNMs who find themselves without options. For those who do have options, I must confess that in the vast majority of cases taking your path is not likely to work out nearly as well as it did for you.

gee_ess · #33 09-10-2010, 12:21 AM

I think one important difference in this story from many other re-recruitment stories is that the OP did not go back through for one particular sorority. She did not drop because her absolute all-time fave did not return her.

She had an unsuccessful first recruitment (and it would be nice to know about her recs, etc) but she also got sick and ended up dropping out.

Then, she went back through with a really open mind, was willing to take her chances because she wanted to be Greek, and imo, that makes a big difference.

kchaptergphib · #34 09-10-2010, 01:11 AM

EE-BO, I love you.

And FSUgreek, congratulations and enjoy your new sisterhood, but do realize you are very fortunate. All the best to you.

PinkPalmTree · #35 09-10-2010, 01:41 AM

May I just say... you were extremely lucky this year! Rush for sophomores at FSU was extremely cut throat this year. I can speak from experience, I was released on preference day.

Congratulations on your new home, though

I hope it everything you hoped it to be!

FSUgreek · #36 09-10-2010, 07:58 AM

I definitely did not mean to imply that a bid is guaranteed. And it is much harder for upperclassmen to go through recruitment but I had atleast four other sophomores (all of whom received and accepted their bids) and two juniors (both received bids but only one accepted) in my rho gam group this year. All I meant to say is it's definitely possible, and not quite as uncommon as people think. This year FSU's upperclassmen number of pnm's was extremely high. Two of the sophomores in my group got into a house that never takes sophomores.

I think that the biggest difference for me going through again this year was that I kept an open mind. I didn't have my heart set on one house like I did last year. My best advice to girls going through next year is to not close yourself off. Be open to all possibilities. I was preparing myself to try alpha phi's rush. Oh and I'm a baby DG

FSUCasper · #37 09-10-2010, 11:51 AM

Well said FSUGreek and congratulations!

Jill1228 · #38 09-10-2010, 11:52 AM

Congrats to you and DELTA GAMMA!

EE-BO · #39 09-10-2010, 10:30 PM

Thank you for the additional info- and congratulations to you and Delta Gamma!

FSUZeta · #40 09-11-2010, 08:37 AM

fsugreek, congratulations on delta gamma!!

can you do a bit of a comparison for us? for example:

freshman year i did not have many recs. sophomore year i made sure that i had a rec.(sometimes more than one per house) for each house.

i got involved in "x" activities on campus as a freshman and thru "123" organization i met many sorority women and developed friendships with a couple. they invited me over a couple of times for formal dinner and i got to meet more members of their sororities.

i kept up my grades and had a very competitive gpa. i made the deans list spring semester and was invited to join a freshman honorary.

i volunteered at a local charity, through which i met more sorority women.

i was more comfortable going thru recruitment a second time, because i knew what to expect.

i was careful when i went out with friends to always keep control of myself and was careful what i put up on my facebook page. i kept it classy.

these are all things that we advise girls to keep in mind, if recruitment doesn't work out for them the first time. i just wonder if you did any of these things to help your situation.

angelharmony · #41 12-28-2010, 06:10 PM

Thanks for posting this. I went through recruitment as a freshman last year and pledged a sorority which then turned out to be a terrible fit for me. I depledged, but I'm going through again. I have a lot clearer idea of what I want out of a sorority now, and your stories helped me realize that this year could completely change from last year. I was so scared that only the houses that liked me last year would take me, but this gave me hope!