Tips for Sorority Rush: Part 1

So I have actually had the tiring pleasure of going through sorority recruitment twice. I was too much of an awkward shit the first time through to get a bid so I shaped up and went through again. Jokes, I went through rush at one school but didn’t accept a bid because I knew I was transferring to my current school. To be totally honest, I know very little about recruitment in the South. It seems wayyyy more intense and I can’t wait until my daughters get to go through it in a place where you’re not running from house to house in the cold. However, I have learned some of the things about rush your Rho Gamma won’t tell you. This set of posts will be broken up into a few segments otherwise you’d be reading a novel. They will be things you need, what to wear, conversation tips, and choosing a house. If you have any other topics that you think won’t be covered in those sections or just want to ask specific questions go to my ask (ask.fm/LillyandLattes)

Part 1: Things you need

            Every school has (or should have) a Panhellenic website that explains what to wear and what the rounds are and will give you a little bit of an overview about things you should know. This is a good place to start, and hopefully if you’re going to go through rush you’ve checked it out. I’ll discuss outfits later.

Some things to pack that you may not know you need:

-          A waterproof bag

-          Anti static dryer sheets

-          An umbrella

-          Dr Scholls for your heels

-          Lip gloss (duh)

-          Mints

-          Snacks

-          Lint roller

-          A brush

-          Small mirror

-          Hand warmers

-          A coat with a hood

-          Hand sanitizer

-          Cough drops

-          Bottle of water

While you are waiting to go into a house you should have a few minutes to get yourself under control. Run the dryer sheet over your hair and your clothes to get rid of static so you’re not shocking people and your hair isn’t sticking straight out in every direction. Before you go in the house, run the lint roller over you if you need to, and pop a mint. Try to get small mints that dissolve quickly like altoids or something so you don’t have anything in your mouth when you’re talking to the sisters. Put on a swipe of lipgloss and check yourself in your mirror. If you need to, brush your hair. When your Rho Gamma(s) give you like a two minute warning take your umbrella and put it upside down on the ground. Then put your bag and the bags of anyone else that you’ve made friends with in line in the umbrella. This way your stuff isn’t on the ground. If you change out of boots put them upside down in the umbrella so they don’t fill with snow or rain. If someone else brought an umbrella put that umbrella open on top of your things if it’s snowing or raining. Before you go in, have your coat at least unzipped, and if it’s not too terribly cold try to take it off before you go in. This will make it a lot easier for the sisters to take your coat and you won’t be frazzled trying to take it off in the door.

When you get your schedule in the morning, figure out where you’re going and make sure you know the location of each house. This will make it much easier for you when you’re trying to get from house to house. Find girls standing in line with you that are going to the same house next, and walk together. As your walking from house to house or on a lunch, break pop a cough drop. Talking all day can really take a toll on your voice (coming from someone that lost their voice during rush) so cough drops will help your throat and the vitamin C will help keep your immune system strong during the busy week. Drink water in between houses too, getting dehydrated will make you tired, and staying hydrated will help you look your best. If it’s cold, use hand warmers to prevent your fingers from freezing while you walk or wait.

Recruitment can be stressful and it can be tiring, but it is completely worth it. Making sure that you’re taking care of yourself makes it easier to show the sisters in each house your great personality, and being prepared means you’re not worried about your hair being all over the place or you having something in your teeth. Being confident is the most important thing, and even if you’re not, fake it until you make it. Be yourself but don’t be scared. All of the sisters you are talking to had to go through recruitment too so they get what you’re going through. You will be fine!

Love,

LLL

P.S. Remember, if you want to ask specific questions or see specific topics in these posts go to my ask! I'd love to help!