"just be yourself"

I'm sorry, I don't mean to sound so frantic, but i'm getting a little anxious. Is there anybody else out there who came to ole miss with literally no connection to the place at all and if you did, what was rush like for you? how did you prepare and what was it like when you got on campus?

I came to Ole Miss from out of state with no connections. I can give you my observations and my own experience. The 'top' tier sororities are mainly Mississippi/Memphis sororities and they are constantly battling with each other to claim the 'top' spot. Those sororities are already recruiting from their former high schools and will already have the majority of their membership selected before school starts in the Fall. For some reason they seem to think it makes them more exclusive to continue their High School experiences. Speaking for myself, I decided to attend an out of state school to step out of my comfort zone, meet new people and hopefully people with different backgrounds and experiences. I was a 'popular' kid in school, cheerleader, class president, etc, but I wanted to come to an out of state school for a fresh outlook. I chose Ole Miss because of my major and so far I am pleased. I was selected by a 'lower' tier sorority for Sisterhood and I couldn't be happier. My Sorority is very diverse and I love it! I have sisters from all over the country and we actually like each other. So my suggestion would be, especially if you are an out of state student, get your recommendation letters, go through rush with an open mind (forget the silly 'tier' thing - you'll be in college, time to let that go), and yes, be yourself.

You can't help it if you aren't from the South and don't have legacy or strong in-house connections. So don't worry about those things. You can get recs for each house and you can present your very best self in style, conversation, manners, and behavior. Focus on those things that you can do something about and you'll do fine.

no connections, out of state, and im in a "top tier" sorority

I came from out of state too and had zero connections to anyone at Ole Miss. Once I came to Ole Miss, the two girls who helped me on move in day were my only connection to a house (and they were in the same one). I only went out a handful of times before rush so I didn't know actives from that, and I didn't meet that many people in my classes who were already in sororities. So long story short - I didn't have connections before college and I had very few once college started and I pledged the house I wanted.

Honestly, go into rush with a complete open mind and you'll end up where you are meant to be!!! Forget the reputations you have heard, ignore other people's opinions during rush, and truly be yourself!!!

If you're trying to be someone you're not during rush and you get into a house because of it, you're most likely not going to be happy because you're not going feel like you are able to be yourself around your sisters.

So please please please, I beg you, BE YOURSELF!!!!! HAVE FUN!!! MEET NEW FRRIENDS!!!! Rush week is what you make it.