It’s the second weekend back at school and for sorority women and PNMs (potential new members) it means one thing…the end of recruitment and the formation of brand new pledge classes! The Her Campus Emory staff is happy to share some advice for PNMs and for the girls of PC ’11 (last year’s pledge class), experiencing rush from the “other side” for the first time.
For PC ’11
“Participating in recruitment as sorority women can be a very overwhelming and sometimes upsetting experience. Try not to get too caught up in the gossip in your house, and realize that every decision happens for a reason.”
“The week between philanthropy and skit nights can feel really long, especially when you see your PNM friends and are not sure if they will be at skit round on Friday. But Friday WILL come and all the anxiety will be over shortly. Remember to follow the recruitment rules by not speaking with freshmen and not communicating with your friends in other sororities. It’s the school week anyway, concentrate on school!!!”
“You will meet and become obsessed with many girls during the recruitment process, but rush is based on mutual decisions. Don’t take it personally if a PNM chooses not to join your house, or if others in your house don’t feel that that PNM is a right fit for your sorority. Rush is a great way to meet friends and those friendships really do last beyond the recruitment process, even when your favorite PNMs aren’t in your sorority.”
“If you know a PNM well and really believe she belongs in your house, take a cautious approach to endorsing her. The other girls in your house deserve to make an unbiased decision on a PNM so do not try to put your opinion in their heads before they get a chance to talk to her. At the end of the day, you will get the chance to voice your opinion so don’t jump the gun.”
For PNMs
“Don’t be upset if you end up separated from your closest friends. It’s a blessing in disguise. Spending a little bit of time apart won’t hurt your friendship in the least. In fact, being able to come back to the dorm and share your own positive and unique sorority experiences with one another will only make your relationships stronger. You’ll each be forced to branch out and make new friends within your sorority, friends that you will immediately introduce to your first semester crew, thus expanding your group and network significantly. You can even invite each other to crush parties, support each other’s philanthropy events, and share dresses for formals! Doesn’t sound so bad to me!”
“My best advice to those going through rush is to remember not to take the process too seriously. There’s so much pressure to have perfect conversations, go back to the same sororities as your best friends, and be asked back to every sorority. I think that relaxing, laughing, eating the food they bring around and having a laid back attitude about the whole thing is the best way to go.”
“Forget what your friends in state schools have said to you about rush in the fall. Emory has a much more laid back process, I mean PNMs get to wear the same shirt and jeans the first day! You get the chance to have friends from first semester and then get to meet a completely new group of girls in the spring. Just be yourself, and do not worry about joining a sorority with your first semester friends. You are SUPPOSED to meet new people, and if that is not what you want, you should not be rushing!”
“My advice would be that you should give the rush process the benefit of the doubt. Show who you really are and be memorable with creative conversation in topics that most interest you.”
“As upsetting as it is to not return to your favorite houses, try to have faith in the system. Things may seem unfair or you may feel embarrassed in the beginning, but no one will remember after a week and you will feel so much better. Continue rush with a smile on your face, and just know you can end up having an amazing experience in a sorority that you did not expect to be in. Almost no one who joins a sorority ever regrets it.”
“Be yourself and be positive!!! You will hear it time and time again that “you will end up where you are supposed to be.” It is so true. Everything works out for a reason, but only if you are yourself all the way through. So you have heard the reputations of sororities from the beginning, and even though you are dying to be in the “best” one, don’t change yourself to fit a mold you think it requires. We want to meet you, not the version of you, you think we want.”
“Just because you have picked your favorite already, this does not make it okay to act like a total shlump at other houses. Greek life is SO small (if you have not realized) and word gets around quickly. Be positive at every house, even if you are exhausted, hungry, and miserable. Do yourself a favor. With a positive outlook, the process will be much much easier.”
“Sorority girls shouldn’t intimidate you if you remember they have been through this very same process. Their goal isn’t to judge and criticize but rather to get to know you and see what kind of person you are and what you can add to their community.”
So there you have it! Relax, try not to think about recruitment until Friday, and try your hardest to be optimistic. Things will work out for you, and recruitment is only one part of the Emory experience. Good luck Collegiettes!