First rounds are officially over!
Things went pretty well and I’m super excited to see where I’m going back for second rounds tomorrow. When I got my invites back yesterday, all but one sorority were in my top 14. Today, I was excited to see that 7 of the 9 sororities I was going back to were also in my top 14. Compared to some other girls, I made out pretty well. It seemed like there were quite a few PNMs that got more of their least favorite houses than the ones they ranked higher, and some didn’t even get a full schedule of 14 houses. In the end, I was still really happy with my schedule and was invited back to:
Alpha Delta Pi
Alpha Omicron Pi
Alpha Phi
Alpha Xi Delta
Chi Omega
Delta Gamma
Gamma Phi Beta
Kappa Alpha Theta
Kappa Delta
Kappa Kappa Gamma
Pi Beta Phi
Sigma Delta Tau
Sigma Kappa
Zeta Tau Alpha
I was disappointed that 3 or 4 groups in particular didn’t invite me back, as I really had some great conversations with the girls that I spoke with. C’est la vie, though, as I’m in love with some of the chapters I visited today and yesterday! So now comes the fun part… names
. Since this rush has been nothing but cold, rain, wind, and typical crazy Pennsylvania weather, I think I have to go with a “places I wish Penn State had a branch campus at” theme.
Barbados – I just really didn’t feel much of a connection with this one. I could probably have fun going out with these girls, but all I could think about was when the party would end.
Cancun- Another so-so house. They were fun and I would love to be friends with the girls I’ve talked to, I just don’t see myself as a part of the whole group.
Bahamas – I had a GREAT time at this suite; I just feel comfortable here no matter who I talk to.
Fiji – This sorority was a lot of fun and the girls seem pretty down to earth, but there was just no spark between the girls I talked to and me.
Miami – This was another early favorite of mine, and I’m still really hoping I get to go back! Though the girls I talked to this time weren’t as energetic and outgoing as the ones I spoke to during open house, I still had a lot of fun and felt super comfortable here.
Hawaii – I LOVE this group! They were one of the ones I really liked during open houses, too, and I only like them more after first rounds. They’re incredibly bubbly and fun, and because of that, it seems as though they’re a favorite of everyone going through recruitment. At the same time, I really had some great conversations here and would be pretty disappointed if I didn’t get invited back.
Maui – This group sort of surprised me with an invite back, but the girls I’ve spoken with seem very genuine and poised. It’s definitely one of the favorite sororities of the girls in my Pi Chi group, and I still want to see more of them before I decide anything.
Acapulco – I can’t really get a feel for this group; it’s kind of lukewarm in my book. In one sense, I really want to see more of what they’re all about because there are a bunch of cool girls here, but on the other hand, after two rounds I still haven’t felt much of a connection to this sorority.
Jamaica – I originally cut this group but still got an invite back. It was definitely a better time than during open houses, but at the same time, I almost feel like they’re a little bit more about partying than I’m up for. They obviously have a really strong bond amongst the sisters, though, which is one of the major reasons I want to join a sorority, so I’m giving them another chance.
Puerto Rico – I know I shouldn’t set my heart on a particular sorority this early, but I seriously LOVE this group! They’re all really mature and I actually had some conversations beyond the typical small talk that made me feel confident that these girls take school just as seriously as their sorority. Their philanthropy is also very relevant to my major, which really makes me excited. I’m trying my best not to get too attached, but at the same time, I’ll be SO happy if they’re on my invite list tomorrow!
Virgin Islands – This was my least favorite house during first rounds. It was the second to last party, so naturally everyone was totally drained, but my rusher didn’t even talk to me for half of the party and just sort of sat there! It was just a really disorganized situation.
Aruba – I really like this chapter… they’re so real and down to earth and, most importantly, don’t take themselves too seriously. I definitely want to see more of them.
Bermuda – This sorority was so-so; I’m hoping if I go back that they’ll really shine, as I know they’re a great group, but so far nothing’s really sparked a connection with me.
St. Lucia – I originally cut this house, but going back, I think I want to give them another shot. The girls care SO much about their philanthropy, which I also love, and they just seem like a really neat bunch overall.
Sorry if any of my comments don’t seem as optimistic as I’ve usually been—my attitude hasn’t really changed, I’m just absolutely beat from 6 hours straight of recruitment and want to spit out my thoughts to organize and make sense of everything!
I also just want to say that all of the groups here really were great, each in their own ways. I swear I’m not a Pollyanna, but really, I’m excited to see where I’m going because each sorority is so unique that I’m sure there’s one for me somewhere in the mix.
With that, here’s how I ranked everything tonight. Tomorrow we can go back to up to 8.
1. Puerto Rico
2. Hawaii
3. Bahamas
4. Miami
5. Aruba
6. Maui
7. St. Lucia
8. Jamaica
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9. Barbados
10. Acapulco
11. Bermuda
12. Fiji
13. Cancun
14. Virgin Islands
Finally, I just wanted to mention that if anyone wants to know anything more specific about what’s going on, feel free to PM me. I’m just trying to refrain from posting too much information publicly.
Thanks for the support, everyone!
...but if I'm picking a warm tropical destination, I'll pick Hawaii, since I hope to go there someday. 
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