rush

You can have initial favorites/houses you might prefer before recruitment starts, but remember to keep an open mind because your opinions could change when you actually interact with the houses and the sisters.

Even if you don't feel a connection right away, you may need to give it some time to develop. Pref can be a total game changer.

Don't drop out! Get through to pref and if you absolutely cannot see yourself joining the house(s) you have left, then don't sign a bid card.

Don't suicide bid (write down less houses on your bid card than pref parties you were invited to). If you were only invited to 1 pref party, write down 1 and you will have a bid to that house. If you were invited to 2 pref parties, write down both because when you don't "maximize your options" it makes you ineligible for quota additions. QAs are a complicated system involved RFM (release-figure management) that is how selection works, but just trust me and don't suicide.

If you sign a bid card, you could get your 2nd choice on bid day. It happens. If that happens, you are already bound to that bid for a calendar year and cannot participate in any other form of recruitment until Fall 2016, per NPC rules. So, you might as well go to bid day and try it out. Go through the 1st week of activities, give it a few weeks and you might find that you could never see yourself anywhere else. It can't hurt. If you really still aren't feeling it, drop before initiation.

Forget about tiers and what houses the girls in your pi chi group like, go where YOU like.

The first week is full of new member activities. They're fun! But some girls get disappointed after the high of recruitment and the first week. It takes some time to settle in to what the day-to-day chapter life is like.

During recruitment, especially Days 1 & 2 you will hear a lot of questions over and over again. What's your major, how are you liking Tech, blah blah blah. Even by the 7th house, remember to answer with as much enthusiasm as the 1st house. It makes a difference whether you seem interested to be there or not. And the conversations do get more serious as the week goes on.

There are topics you cannot and should not discuss during recruitment (especially as an active), so don't try to provoke the actives into talking about boys, drinking/partying, politics/religion.

At pref, if there's a house that's your favorite, tell them, subtlety. I'm so happy to be here, I could really see myself being a part of this sisterhood etc. Likewise if there's a house that's not so much your favorite (but still polite!). More along the lines of, it's a difficult decision, there are so many things to consider etc.

Day 1 you'll wear a tshirt that all the other PNMs will be wearing. Wear cute shoes/accessories, something to make yourself stand out a little bit.

Look polished during recruitment. Think of this as a job interview. Make sure you brush your hair and teeth, do your makeup. If you don't really wear makeup, a little bit of mascara and some lipgloss is easy and will help. Don't look like you just rolled out of bed.

I know the guide to greek life tries to tone down the outfits, saying wear shorts or jeans or whatever. Don't wear jeans. You'll be hot and recruitment is just not the time. A sun dress is simple and pretty. If you're wearing shorts, make sure you look cute, nice sandals, maybe a belt, cute accessories.

For pref, actives will mostly wear black, but there's at least 1 house that prefs in white. Try to avoid a solid black or solid white dress for pref night or you'll blend in with the actives and it could make you forgettable. But DON'T wear a prom dress!

That's all I can think of right now. Hope that helps. Good luck!

Agreed with the above post by Question. Be normal, be natural, and you will find your fit. Some houses put on shows during rush that don't always reflect how involved they are in actuality. Don't get your heart set on a house on Day 1 just because you like the outfit they're wearing. Base your decisions on how comfortable you would be if you had a really bad day-- would these girls sit around in sweatpants watching chick flicks and eating ice cream with you if your boyfriend broke up with you?-- or how excited they would be for you if you found out really amazing news. They're going to be your sisters, with or without the letters and songs and clapping and outfits, so choose based on their conversations, character, and heart.

these posts are a goldmine for great advice

I ended up pledging (and loving!) a house where initially I had a bad first impression, based on the first girl I happened to meet. Please don't feel discouraged after the first day- it is overwhelming, and know that the sororities are overwhelmed and tired, too! Talk about your summer, some of the things you are looking forward to at GT, etc. You don't want to be the "one word" answer girl. It is usually loud in parties, so practice listening, too! Be advised that it is also extremely hot during recruitment. Finally, please choose the house that is right for you- where you feel most at home! Good luck! Panhellenic life (no matter which house) at Georgia Tech is a lot of fun and very rewarding. Hope you have a great recruitment!

Let's keep this at the top!

bump

Bump

Bump- best wishes to everyone for a great recruitment!