Greek life is a huge part of the college experience at some schools. I can truly say that being in my sorority has been a huge part of my life at Sacred Heart. As a former sorority President, I can pretty much tell you anything you need to know about joining a sorority. But to save you all the time, I am going to focus on sorority recruitment.
Before the weekend begins, you will have an orientation or information session on the events of the weekend. This is where you will meet your Recruitment Counselor or "Rho Gam" who will help guide you through the process. I loved my recruitment counselor, she was a huge help to me in making my decision and guiding me in what to wear. It is important to ask questions during this time. It may seem intimidating to ask questions on the first day but that's what your Recruitment Counselor is for! You may also receive a pamphlet containing information such as philanthropies, colors, and costs. It is so important to look at the cost of Greek Life before going through recruitment. Your money is going to more than just "buying your friends." Sorority dues go towards so many different aspects of your membership, there is a budget for recruitment, formal events, sisterhoods, risk management, and so much more. Dues are expensive and although most of the time you can work with your organization to figure out a financial plan that works for you, it is important to understand what you will be spending each semester to maintain your membership.
Depending on your school, your recruitment process can range from three days to three weeks. At Sacred Heart formal recruitment is three days long. Each day is given a specific theme and as the days go on you have deeper conversations and wear nicer clothes. Day one is sisterhood, day two is philanthropy, and day three is preference round.
Sisterhood round
On sisterhood day I wore jeans and a nice tank top with platform sandals. This day is mostly just small talk with questions like: What is your major?, Where are you from?, What are you involved in?, etc. This is a time to really put yourself out there and brag a bit. Talk about what you did in high school or any interesting hobbies you have. It is okay to be talkative! The things you say on day one set a first impression and will determine if you get called back for day two. As someone who has run recruitment for my sorority I know that when talking to potential new members we look for things that match our shared values. That is why it is important to share as much as you can to show who you are!
Philanthropy Round
On the second day I wore a jumpsuit with a denim jacket and platform shoes. This day is all about community service and philanthropy. Talk about what you have done for your community. Try and relate to their philanthropy as best you can. My sorority's philanthropy is the Ronald McDonald House Charities, and when I was a counselor at my day camp, we took a trip to the RMHC and baked cookies. I was able to share this story with the sister I spoke to on philanthropy day. I also shared my service experiences from high school since I was a member of a lot of Catholic clubs that participated in food drives and other service events. I even took a mission trip to France which I spoke about during this day. Telling personal stories about how helping others has impacted you will show you care about philanthropy as well as the other aspects of a sisterhood.
Preference Round
This is the most important day of recruitment. It is the day you really have to decide where you see yourself most. I wore a dress and heels this day since there was a lot less walking. On preference round you want to ensure you are clear and decisive when talking to the sororities. It is okay to be torn between two options! Tell them exactly how you are feeling so they can gage your interest. If you know that this is the sorority you want to be in, it is okay to tell them "I can see myself here!" From the backend of recruitment, when a PNM (potential new member) tells us they want our organization it is super helpful. It may seem like you aren't supposed to say that, however, as long as you aren't being negative toward another organization, it is okay to say "I want to be here." If you are torn you can also express that. When a PNM tells me they are torn, I often ask what it is they are looking for in joining a sorority and then explain to them why I chose my organization and how it can fulfill that need for them. Expressing how you feel can answer a lot of questions for you and help solidify your decision. You want to walk out of preference round and think "That's my Home!"
Don't be intimidated by the recruitment process. Most of the time the sisters you are talking to are just as nervous as you are. We are always worried about saying the wrong thing or keeping the conversation flowing, but as long as you are being yourself you will end up where you belong. It sounds so cheesy but it's true. You don't want to be stuck in an organization that is nothing like you because you were pretending to be someone you are not. Just be yourself and everything will work out how it's supposed to. For more about sorority life, be sure to keep up with Irrellavent on Instagram and Soundcloud.
If you are ever feeling alone in the process just know that every sorority girl you are meeting with has been in your shoes. See my experience by watching this embarrassing video from my freshman year of my Sorority Recruitment Experience:
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