Getting Ready for Sorority Recruitment

In just moments, you will finally step into the first party of sorority recruitment week. You have put a lot of thought into exactly what you are going to wear today, right down to the special bracelet that was the perfect finale for your outfit. You ironed your clothes (which you don’t often do) the night before, and you even cracked open some special new makeup just for the occasion.

Your skin is clear, your eyes are bright, and you smell good. You just got your hair done two days ago, in anticipation of recruitment, and today for some reason, it was on its best behavior for you. It works. Everything about you works. You look great, and you feel great. That smile on your face? It’s 50% nervous anticipation, 50% excitement, and 0% fear about your appearance.

Imagine your reaction when you realize the sorority members have not put as much energy into preparing to meet you. Read the rest of this entry »

Timing is everything, and sororities know it.  That’s why they offer chances throughout the school year for students to join their sisterhoods.  Though formal recruitment only comes around once a year, there is often times a second opportunity to join a sorority in activities referred to as “Continuous Open Bidding,” “Continuous Open Recruitment” or “Informal Recruitment.” Panhellenic Informal Recruitment is less rigidly scheduled than formal recruitment but more so than Continuous Open Bidding/Recruitment.  Here is some information to help make your decision regarding this chance at lifelong sisterhood. Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: continuous open bidding, continuous open recruitment, informal recruitment

Have you ever had a crush on someone you didn’t even know very well?  It’s not uncommon to develop an interest in someone after observing how that person treats others or behaves with your mutual friends.   Guess what?  This is human nature.  Sorority recruitment is no exception to this rule.

Deferred Recruitment (Recruitment taking place either in your second semester, or second year) offers prospective sorority members a unique opportunity to build their personal brand on campus and set themselves up for recruitment success. It also gives these students the opportunity to pigeon hole themselves into an undesirable stereotype.

Why not capitalize on your time before recruitment to make an extended positive impression?  Here are the three things you want to do to position yourself right. Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: crush, deferred recruitment, personal brand, reputation, stereotype

It may seem like you are playing a part in a circus as you juggle school, extra curricular activities, a job, church, and a social life among many other commitments. Adding independence from parents and a new sisterhood can make your collegiate experience challenging.

Here are four pieces of advice to help relieve your stress so these can be the “best years of your life” instead of a multi-year circus act. Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: mid-term, passion, productivity, schedule, stress management, time management

Have you already had an amazing recruitment experience this year? Did you find your new Panhellenic home? Congratulations! You are probably enjoying tons of fun activities with your new sisters.

This is great time to reflect on the other women you met during the recruitment experience. Don’t make the mistake of losing contact with them.  Bolster your collegiate experience by including these three key women in your life right now: Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: counselor, guide, lunch, other chapter, reunion, trisigma, unaffiliated

Does your roommate like to be naked?  While this preference may present a big problem, it is only one of the potential “personal preferences” you and your roommate may not agree upon.

For many college students, living in university housing will be their first experience not only living on their own but also sharing space with another individual.  In the game of roommate roulette, you never know who you’re going to get. Sometimes roommates have different values and beliefs, which may include divergent views on fraternity/sorority life.

What if your roommate has a negative attitude about the fraternal experience?  Here are six tips on how to handle a skeptical roommate. Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: dorm, naked, residence hall, roommate, university housing

Choose waterproof mascara.

That’s the simplest, most universal, and safest advice anyone can give you about your last sorority recruitment experience: Preference.  In this article, you will learn what to expect at Preference events, how they are different from the rest of recruitment, and how to deal with the emotions you and the other women might express. Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: consoling, crying, emotions, preference, recruitment counselor

During Recruitment, there is always a lot of talk regarding legacies. What is a legacy, exactly, and what does this mean to a Potential New Member like you? This article answers common questions from prospective sorority members participating in sorority recruitment.

Q. How do I know if I’m a legacy?

♥  A “legacy” is a woman who is closely related to a member of a given sorority. If your grandmother, mother or sister is a Beta Beta Beta, either in college or out of college, you are a Beta Beta Beta legacy. However, each sorority has its own definition of “legacy.”

As the concept of “family” has changed, many sororities have refined their concept of “legacy” to include aunts, cousins and step-relations, while others have not made this change. If you think you’re a legacy to a sorority, but you’re not sure, talk to your sorority relative or campus Panhellenic contact. Be aware that sororities DO check with their headquarters to confirm, so don’t “fudge your facts.”

Q. Does my sorority relative have to write me a recommendation? Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: aunt, cousin, grandmother, guaranteed bid, legacy, mother, panhellenic, sister, step-relatives

Numerous television shows and movies portray Fraternity and Sorority Life as an elite party scene, escape from reality, or horror scene.

How accurate are these depictions?

TRUE or FALSE: Through joining a fraternity or sorority students become part of a social network where drinking, pranks, and partying become important everyday occurrences.

♥ FALSE.  Greek-letter organizations became popular in films during the late 1970s with the release of “National Lampoon’s Animal House” (1978). The film takes college traditions like homecoming, fraternity rush, and house parties and mocks them by presenting the most extreme cases or mishaps that could occur.  For example, the chapter meetings in this film show alcohol consumption.  In reality chapter meetings are alcohol free and run as any professional organization would with procedures and standards. Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: ABC Family Greek, animal house, old school, sorority boys, sorority house massacre, sorority row

It’s done.  You’ve registered with your Panhellenic Council and tried not to over think it.  But as the date of that first sorority recruitment event draws closer, you’re realizing you’ll need to make both good impressions and educated decisions.

Here are eight great tips to prepare you for the big events.

♥  KNOW what you are looking for in your experience. This way, you can be sure to ask thoughtful questions of the women you meet. Ask yourself, why do you want to join a sorority? Are you looking for women who share your passion for community service? Are you looking to become involved in athletic programs like intramurals?

♥  LEARN. Be sure you are learning all you can about each organization. Most chapters maintain a website about their organization. You can also find more information through your campus Panhellenic, Greek Life or Student Activities Office.

♥  PREPARE.  Discover your strengths by writing down your skills, talents and experiences. Think back to your activities, jobs and the interests you are passionate about. What lead you to being in important positions or earning awards? You will want to share what is special about you and these will be great conversation pieces. Read the rest of this entry »