dear potential new mems (incoming freshman)

Before we get a spam of incoming freshman girls asking questions about recruitment, here's some frequently asked questions; answered.

1. Check the Sorority and Fraternity engagement office's website for any information regarding formal rush week. They will have registration and any other useful information posted there. Just google it.

2. Here's how the rounds of formal sorority recruitment work. The first two days you will visit every house, having short conversations with 2-4 girls in each. At the end of the day, you rank your houses. The next day you will visit a maximum of 11 houses, depending on what you chose and who chose you (mutual selection.) On this day, you will hear a short presentation about the house's values and sisterhood, and have a few more, slightly longer, conversations with women in the house. The day after that is house tours, and you can visit a maximum of 7 houses based on mutual selection. Each house will give a presentation on finances, and then give you a tour of the house and the opportunity to talk to the women again. The last day is preference night, and you will visit a maximum of 2 houses. This night can be very emotional, and the ceremonies differ from chapter to chapter. Then you pref your those last 2 houses and the next day is bid day! more information will be given to you during registration like what to wear, what not to say, etc.

3. DO NOT ask about top and bottom houses. You should go into recruitment with an open mind, and not worry about popularity. You need to find the house that best fits your values and personality, and if you're not right for a house, they will know it too. Just because you want the clout of being in a "top house," does not mean that that house will be the best fit for you so keep your options open and don't go in with any preconceptions!

4. Yes, you will have time for other activities. Sorority life is all about what you put into it, and you can be as much or as little involved as you like! I'm a STEM major and I am a member of 4 other clubs on campus, so if I can do it you can too! One of the things I like best is seeing how all of my sisters are involved in such different and interesting things all around campus!

5. Yes, I love being in a sorority. There is something for everyone. If you wanna go out every weekend? Do it! If you like to stay in and study for hours on end? Do it! You will always be around girls who want the best for you and want you to succeed, it's great to have a support system like that. You will get the people who say that we are simply paying to have friends, or that all sorority women are airheads who only care about their instagram feeds, but it is so much more than that! There are academic standards, ways we have to present ourselves, and values we have to upkeep to be a part of these organizations.

6. YES. DO GO THROUGH PRIMARY RECRUITMENT AND FIND YOUR HOME. Going Greek was the one of the best decisions I've ever made, and I promise, it will be one of yours too. I can't wait for you to become a part of this amazing community of men and women, and maybe even see you during recruitment!

So I hope this answered the majority of your questions, future PNMs. If you've got anything else, ask away and I'll probably be here to answer it!