The many faces of recruitment

Recruitment week has reared its ugly head once again. But like the most beautiful things in life, you can’t always judge a book by its cover. Although recruitment is filled with frustrated nights and an insane amount of singing, most sorority girls can agree that every minute practicing is worth it on bid day. Most of the time, however, we forget what it’s like to be on the other side. We forget about the girls that agonize over which similar Forever 21 dress is going to be, “the perfect dress.” We forget about the girl that is uncertain about what all this recruitment mumbo-jumbo is about, and we almost always forget about the girl that, frankly, doesn’t care at all. Funny thing is, most of the women who are like this end up in your very sorority.

Sorori-no

There will be some girls who go through recruitment and do not get it. They only decided to rush last minute because their annoying roommate insisted they, “just have to do it together!”  As difficult as it is to talk to a girl who seems disinterested, a classy sorority girl should think of this rushee as a challenge. Try to find out what she likes and talk to her as a person, not a potential new member. Before you know it, your sorority may not have gained an awesome new baby, but you may have gained an unforgettable best friend.

My friend Sara, who was undecided about Kappa, but now can't live without it!

I love it, I love it not

Freshmen year is confusing. It’s hard to decide what is and is not right for you. Many women go through recruitment and are confused about the process. They will think, “Is this right for me? What if no one likes me? Or worse, what if I fall in love and no one extends me a bid?” Remember that it is important to give them as much information as possible in order for them to make a decision. Don’t be offended if a girl you love doesn’t join. After all, sorority life isn’t for everyone.

My KKG pledge class after we survived our first recruitment!

Born to be, Sorority

Finally, there are the girls who cannot wait to rush. They have toiled for weeks over what to wear, what color to paint their nails and how to wear their hair in the perfect way. These may be the girls your sorority are initially attracted to, but be careful; they are also the ones that can be hurt the most. Make sure to pay as much attention to them as the other women, and understand how excited they are rather than criticize them for it.

Recruitment season is one of the most exciting and exhausting few weeks of the year. Enjoy the time with sisters and meeting new girls and you will receive the best results possible.  Look around the women in your sorority. How did eliminating stereotypes during rush affect your own bid day experience?