what do you wish you knew before rushing?

when I was a pnm, I didn’t have too many connections to the Greek system at Arkansas. I just assumed going through recruitment would be easy and stress free and I would find my forever home right off the bat. But it’s really not that way. Recruitment is stressful, you will most likely get your feelings hurt when houses cut you. The thing is, the system truly works. If you get cut from a house that you had your heart set on, don’t quit!! The system works, and you will be placed in the house that you most belong with. There are over 400 girls per sorority here, I promise that no matter what house you end up with, you will find amazing friends.

Peek at the sorority side of recruitment: the sorority side is just as stressful as the pnm side in my opinion. Sometimes we will talk to a girl we really really like and imagine them as our sister, but then they might cut our own house. We wake up at 4 am every morning and don’t get to go to our rooms to sleep till at least 10 pm. It’s rough. We’re all tired, bruises on our knees from doorstack, and constantly trying to present our best self while also speaking to around 50 or so pnm’s a day. For the most part, we usually always have a great convo with all of the pnm’s! Sometimes it comes down to hundredths of GPA points from high school.

It’s a tough week, it really is. But personally, I didn’t get the house I thought I wanted at the start of the week. But I absolutely couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else! During the week, just remember that the people you talk to in houses are also stressed and really want to have an amazing conversation with you. So please please don’t be rude to anyone, even if you are absolutely sure what house you think you want. You never know what will happen! Just push through the week till bid day, and whoever you get, I just know you’ll find some great girls to become friends with!!

Sorry that was long, basically just trust the system and you’ll do just fine!! :)

it doesn't matter what house you get into, you WILL find an amazing friend group in there. Also, by the time you're a sophomore, no one gives a crap what house you're in. I have best friends in top/middle/bottom houses. Fraternities do not care either. If you're cool and nice, they will like you. (I know girls from "bottom houses" who are dating sigma chis and girls from top ones dating sig eps). The only time its "cliquey" is during rush and maybe a few months after. This week is going to suck, but you'll end up in a loving house with sisters for life, don't forget that!!

My piece of advice is to not read all of the rankings and stereotypes of sorority's on this website. When I went through rush I was obsessed with the thought of getting in one of the top houses or one of the houses with a good reputation. Im lucky enough to have gotten into one of those houses, but I was cut from what I thought were the "best" houses which caused me a very stressful week. Everyone says this, but trust the process. You really do end up where you fit in best, whether you realize it or not. The houses that I was obsessed with getting into because of ranking, I would have NEVER fit in with. You would rather be in a house with people similar to you than a house you don't feel like you fit in. Good luck PNMS! I'll be talking to some of y'all during rush:)

My piece of advice is to not read all of the rankings and stereotypes of sorority's on this website. When I went through rush I was obsessed with the thought of getting in one of the top houses or one of the houses with a good reputation. Im lucky enough to have gotten into one of those houses, but I was cut from what I thought were the "best" houses which caused me a very stressful week. Everyone says this, but trust the process. You really do end up where you fit in best, whether you realize it or not. The houses that I was obsessed with getting into because of ranking, I would have NEVER fit in with. You would rather be in a house with people similar to you than a house you don't feel like you fit in. Good luck PNMS! I'll be talking to some of y'all during rush:)

Definitely trust the system. A lot of girls go in thinking they'll get top houses and they'll get cut first or second round. Only a certain type of girl is able to survive a top tier environment so it's honestly a blessing in disguise. Never suicide for a house or drop the process because you got cut from your top pick. I would suggest taking into consideration reputations of sororities, when you say you're part of this or that house, people will still judge to some degree. Also take into consideration the national reputation, but the main focus should be on the girls in the house and how well you get along with them! Make sure you look life a fun, cute girl who has friends on social media- houses will check! Rush is terrible but also so much fun so go in with a good attitude and try to meet as many girls as possible!! Some of my best friends I met during rush!

For the actual rush process, I would suggest bringing:
umbrella
a book (no phones or computers allowed)
an extra pair of comfy shoes and or fluffy socks
a hoodie or sweatshirt or blanket
a mirror
any makeup you'll need for touchups
BRING SNACKS LIKE A PROTEIN BAR OR ALMONDS
gum or mints (they'll give you mints before you go into houses but it's nice to have when you're talking with friends)
a full water bottle (they should give you one at the beginning of the process)
A fan
blotting papers (This literally saved my life!!)

P.S.- make sure to actually look presentable. There were some girls walking around in tennis shoes, athletic shorts and no makeup. This is so stupid, DRESS UP! I woke up at 4 am every morning to do my makeup and hair. It seems excessive but it pays off. People take into consideration how you present yourself. On that note, don't wear to much perfume and learn how to do a foolproof makeup style for your face shape. You will most likely be talking to girls in natural lighting so make sure your foundation isn't caked on. I wouldn't suggest a lip gloss because it gets very windy on the lawns and your hair can move the product all over your face- not a cute look.