More advice?

chloe173 · #1 07-27-2002, 09:26 PM

Hmm, maybe I'm addicted to GC!

It took me a week, but I have officially read all the posts in the Rush thread scouring for advice about rush. I think the things that have been repeated often like "be yourself" have really sunk in. Now, are there any other smaller pearls of wisdom anyone can give me and the other girls who are all about to go through rush in a month or less? You know, nitpicky things regarding clothes, ettiquette, conversation ideas, things to expect? I know that all of us girls rushing really want to be as prepared as we possibly can be!

On a side note, after reading through all these posts, all the love and warmth that is visible in almost all of the posts has really been amazing. Anyone with a stereotype of a sorority girl should read this board. You guys make me want to rush even more!!!

newbie · #2 07-27-2002, 10:04 PM

Hi Chloe!

Just wanted to wish you luck from one Trojan to another

. Fight On!! I know you'll do great girlie!

GPhiSweetiePie · #3 07-28-2002, 02:03 AM

Here's some things that helped me......

Before I started rush, I started making a little list of questions that would be good to ask the actives at rush parties, especially if there was a bit of a lull in the conversation. Find out basic info about the girl rushing you, or the house, by asking little things like what activities she's involved in or what made her choose that particular house above all the others.

Also, try and think of something that's really going to make people remember you. For example, my rush was immediately after winter break, so when I was asked what I did over break, I got to tell everyone all the cool stuff I did, like horseback riding on the beach. The next day, people totally remembered that and were telling other actives; they thought it was really cool.

Last one (for now!). Find something in common with the girl rushing you and go from there. What worked for me in a lot of houses was that I'm a really huge fan of the show Trading Spaces, and, as it turns out, so were a lot of the girls that rushed me! So, that was something fun to talk about.

All of these things are likely to get people to remember you a little better, which helps your chances of getting asked back to a house!

justamom · #4 07-28-2002, 08:37 AM

This IS nit picky!

I told my daughter to always be outgoing to the girls she attended the parties with. If an opportunity presented itself-lend a helping hand. (Example-If someone drops something, don't just stare at it, or if another PNM is having a difficult time show KINDNESS) In the end, you will have people who think of you fondly in several different houses.

If/when you return to a house the next day or so, you may not have the opportunity to talk to the same girls, but if it's PRACTICAL at least say "Hi" or give a little wave and aknowledge that YOU remember THEM! Don't go jumping over PNMs and don't be a cheese.

If you gel with everyone around you, it's much easier for the sisters to see how YOU might make a good "fit".

I also told her if she could AVOID being around PNMs who take control of each and every conversation/situation, to do so. Otherwise you may waste precious time as the other one monopolizes everything. Not good for her, but not good for you either. You can figure out who they are going to and from the houses if you are observant. Of course sometimes these situations can't be avoided so- "BE ON YOUR TOES", always be GRACIOUS and ENJOY the people around you.

The one question she was asked by EVERY HOUSE-What made you decide to go through recruitment! PLAN OUT YOUR RESPONSE. Don't ramble (like I do), but know it so well that you can rattle it off in a very NATURAL way. To do this, you must really KNOW, so think about it and find a way to answer that is more memorable than "I want world peace!"

OH another- You may not like it, but you are ALWAYS "on". There are eyes and ears all around you. Even sitting in the cafeteria-look good-be careful what you say-"Sit up straight and DON'T SLOUCH!"

Gotta add one more-Stay as far away as you possible can from someone who is extreme in any way shape or form. They ALL will remember "THAT GIRL", but it will be harder for them to remember you, the NORMAL one!!!

KappaKittyCat · #5 07-28-2002, 10:12 AM

I can tell you that the thing that most makes me remember a girl in FR is if she asks me as many questions as I ask her. The more relevant, the better. This was especially good when I was a new and inexperienced rusher. The girl who's now my little sis was the first PNM I'd ever rushed and I was extremely nervous, as I'd just been initiated myself not three weeks before that. Her older sister is a ZTA (I forget where) and had told her that even if she decided at the end of the week that she didn't want to be in a sorority, she still had to go through FR and make an informed decision. For that reason, my little went through FR bound and determined to soak up as much information as possible about everything. She'd done her homework and asked me tons of questions about our philanthropy, the history of Kappa, what I liked best about it, why I'd joined, what the NM program was like, everything. I was highly impressed. We had a very good conversation about open-mindeness and some of the happy things its allowed us to discover. As soon as that party was over, I announced to the room, "That's my little sis!" It took a good year, but I got my wish.

Ok, sorry, that got long...

Another thing that really impressed me and made me remember one particular PNM was her confidence. She told me the first night how happy she was... she'd met so many wonderful women from every chapter and she was sure she'd find the right match for herself. She did this without arrogance, but with complete honesty and-- it really just seemed like-- faith! Someone who is obviously confident and comfortable with herself puts people at ease.

So yeah... my biggest piece of advice for you is to be honest! Be honest about who you are. Don't hide behind fear or insecurity. Nobody's perfect, they're just as anxious for you to like them as you are for them to like you. Be honest about your interest. Go in determined to make the best decision possible for you to make.

"A sister is the mirror that shows you who you are while whispering of who you dare to become."

Best of luck to you.

PiPhiJulie · #6 07-28-2002, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by justamom

I also told her if she could AVOID being around PNMs who take control of each and every conversation/situation, to do so. Otherwise you may waste precious time as the other one monopolizes everything. Not good for her, but not good for you either. You can figure out who they are going to and from the houses if you are observant. Of course sometimes these situations can't be avoided so- "BE ON YOUR TOES", always be GRACIOUS and ENJOY the people around you.

JAM you gave great advice!
When I was rushing last fall I was paired with another PNM in one house and she monopolized the conversation. It was miserable for me cause everytime I would say something she would jump right in and interrupt me. She got cut from that sorority first round. I was so sure I was going to be cut, but I was lucky and didn't get cut.

AlphaSigLana · #7 07-28-2002, 08:19 PM

ASK questions. I remember always being asked if I had any questions and I never could think of ones that i didn't already know the answer to since in the rush book the mascots, philanthropys etc were all listed for each house so I thought that was all I needed to know.
Ask how much time they require of you per week. When are there meetings? When are new members allowed to attend? What year can you run for a position in the house? What consquences do they have if you don't meet their GPA? etc