By Ashley Tripp, Student at the University of Alabama

“One minute,” said the judicial board member.

It was the first day of sorority recruitment, and I was standing outside my first house anxiously waiting to see what was going to happen next. Suddenly, the entire sorority row was filled with clapping and chanting as sisters welcomed potential new members into their houses for the first round.

I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

The entire recruitment process can be stressful at times; however, as a senior at the University of Alabama, my college experience has been an incredible opportunity for campus involvement and personal growth as a member of Gamma Phi Beta within the Greek community.

Sophomore Rachel Patton, Zeta Tau Alpha at the University of South Carolina, says that your Greek Life experience depends on how much you pour into your chapter.

“This is what makes you feel a true part of the sisterhood,” she said.

Looking back on my freshman year, there are a few things I wish I would’ve known that would’ve made my experience less stressful.

“I wish I would have known that the girls already in the chapter were just as nervous as I was when going through sorority recruitment,” said senior Lara Latsha, Alpha Chi Omega at the University of Tennessee. “Staying true to yourself is key. The best advice anyone can give a potential new member for sorority recruitment is to go in with an open mind.”

“For me, personally, rush is so much easier when you realize that you are going to be in the house that’s right for you,” said sophomore Abby Bergquirst, Chi Omega at the University of Georgia. “Just be yourself and you will fall into the exact place you’re supposed to be in. There’s no need to stress or worry.”

Sophomore Maggie Pitts, Delta Gamma at Ole Miss, says that you should “Be bold, be funny and be yourself. Girls will appreciate a breath of fresh air when you converse with them and that can be the most memorable!”

You can find every type of girl in every sorority but don’t believe all the rumors you hear about all the different houses.

“It is easy to get caught up in what the girls around you are saying about a house,” said sophomore Riley Goodman, Alpha Gamma Delta at the University of Alabama. “Don’t forget that choosing a sorority is a very personal decision, and the values you want in a house might not match what the next girl is looking for.”

She says sororities are looking for potential new members they could see themselves being best friends with.

“So if you show your true personality, you will likely end up in a house where you can really feel comfortable,” Goodman said.

Quick Tips:

“Just be yourself. Don’t try to be someone you’re not to get in the ‘best’ sorority. Don’t let the girls who rush you define your self-worth. You are unique and have something great to bring to the sorority, and if they don’t see that, then it isn’t the right sorority for you.”
–Kylie Kochert, Alpha Delta Pi, Miami University

“Remember you are looking for what’s best for you individually just as much as the chapter is looking for new members. If you get too wrapped up in impressing others, you lose sight of the values you stand for. Be bold, funny, comfortable and realize it’s less like a job interview and more like going out to lunch with your future best friends.”

–Kaitlin Wernet, Delta Zeta, University of South Carolina

“Just be yourself and if they like you, they like you. If not, that’s probably not the chapter you were destined for in the first place.”
-Lara Latsha, Alpha Chi Omega, University of Tennessee

Image is copyright of Jodi Green at Flickr.com.