Getting Ready for Sorority Recruitment

As summer vacation is weeks or even just days away now, you are probably envisioning yourself with tons of free time, catching up on your reading.  We are here to help!  Check our staff recommendations of almost a dozen great books.  To make it an even dozen, we need your help.  Comment below with YOUR favorite book recommendation for the summer too!

♥ Emily Post’s Etiquette, 17th Edition

This often tongue-in-cheek book helps you understand proper behavior in a variety of ordinary and not-so-ordinary situations.  Recommended for future sorority members, current sorority members, sorority alumnae, sorority parents, college administrators, waitresses, scuba divers, accountants, baristas, historians, electricians, diplomats and…  Pretty much for everyone.

♥ The Student Leadership Challenge: Five Practices for Exemplary Leaders

Even if you have never held a “titled” leadership position, this book will help you think of times when you’ve been an effective leader, which is GREAT conversation for sorority recruitment.  Additionally, learning the traits of successful leaders will help you be a influential student both on campus and in your career.

♥ The Naked Roommate

Funny book! It gives practical tips for life in college, including the roommate who likes to be naked and “107 other issues you might run into in college.”  Face it, sometimes your roommate might forget she has a roommate… it will make you laugh, and it will definitely help ease the tension and transition to college.

♥ Water for Elephants

This is one of those books you can’t put down. The author paints a picture of a college-age gentleman, who drops out of school in the face of adversity, and overcomes a great deal of strife. It  reminds you that following your hopes and dreams isn’t always easy, but that dedication and hard-work will take you far in life.

♥ The Help

Based in rural Mississippi in the 1960s, this story deals with the racial inequalities that have long plagued the South. You will cry, laugh, and be inspired. The women in this book are people we can relate to, and will make you realize how far we have to go in terms of equality.

♥ Girls Fight Back! The College Girls Guide to Protecting Herself

This book is designed to be the A-Z personal safety guide for every girl attending college. It’s written with Erin Weed’s signature tone, mixing serious topics with humor and straight talk.

♥ The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Great mystery! A once-respected journalist watches his professional life rapidly crumble until an unexpected offer to resurrect his name is extended. He must first spend a year researching a mysterious disappearance, unsolved for nearly four decades, and enlists the help of a misunderstood young superhacker with piercings, tattoos and authority issues.

♥ U Chic

U Chic gives an edge to today’s high achieving college girl. It’s not just about good grades or being at the top of the class, but having a great social experience. U Chic covers everything from birth control and eating disorders to how to maintain that all-important GPA.

♥ The Kite Runner

Great read prior to college! Perfect for those students who are going away to a school where they may not know a soul. The story tells of a wealthy Afghan’s boy befriending his father’s servants son. The two boys are inseparable, and become like brothers. Eventually, one would flee Afghanistan and move to the States, but wondered how his childhood best friend was. Many years later the two cross paths, and the beauty of their friendship is rekindled.

♥ How to Get Anything you Want

A great book for your coffee table that gives small anecdotes about achieving your goals, dreams, etc. The author came to America with less than a $100, and is now a self-made millionaire.  Also recommended by author Nido Qubein: Stairway to Success.

♥ RUSH RIGHT: Reveal Your Best YOU During Sorority Recruitment

How could we leave this out of the mix?  RUSH RIGHT is an acclaimed practical guide for the curious student.  It teaches etiquette, listening skills, personal branding, conversation skills, and more, all of which are useful during Panhellenic sorority recruitment.  Written for potential new members but great for collegiate sorority members too. (Use code SUMMER for free shipping!)

Special thanks to Amanda Anderson, Mary Kate Lobough and Sunday Tollefson for their help with this list.   Happy summering everyone!