recruitment terms 101

If you have a female relative in a sorority, be sure to check out the official policy for that organization. Some just consider daughters and sisters, others extend it to granddaughters, and even great granddaughtes, and I know at least one even gives nieces legacy status. Also, being a legacy does not guarantee a bid from that group. The extra consideration it provides once again, varies by group.

I know people tell you not to drop out of rush, but I dropped out on Pref Day because I didn't feel comfortable with the houses I had left. I COBed later at one of the houses I was cut from, and I'm really happy with the decision I made.

PNMs - lets face it, come Recruitment in 2 months somewhere between 1/3 and 1/4 of you will either be cut from Recruitment or drop out. I know everyone says to stick it out to the end and NO MATTER WHAT DON'T DROP OUT, but I really think otherwise. I think if you really cannot see yourself in the houses you're getting asked back to, then you should drop out and try to COB later in the year. Just make sure you're trusting YOUR own instincts, and not listening to what everyone else says. Not "I'm going to drop out because even though I secretly liked XYZ everyone else thinks their lame" but "I really didn't feel a connection at XYZ so I'm going to drop out and try to COB a different house."

Same goes with suiciding. I think you should trust your gut instinct.

I agree with "Advice" because I had a very similar situation. I had three houses left on Pref that I didn't fit in with, not that I didn't want to join because they weren't "popular" or something. I just didn't fit in. I COB'd the next semester in my FAVORITE house. I guess Formal Recruitment was just too intense for me but COBing was a little more laid back.

Biggest piece of advice is don't let other people sway your decision or try and shame you out of joining certain houses. Not every can be "top tier" and frankly not every personality fits in certain houses. There's a perfect house for everyone and if you trust the system and your gut you will find your home :)

If you get to Pref, you really have to be honest with YOURSELF. As the others have said, if you really, truly cannot see yourself as part of that group, don't list them. If you do, it means they can offer you a bid, and if they do, you are ineligible for COB until next year. That being said, ignore the talk of "tiers" and try to focus on how you feel about the girls at each house. Do they seem friendly? Welcoming? Involved on campus? Chapters at Mizzou are huge. There will be girls you click with and girls you don't in each chapter. So just because you get picked up on one of the early days by a less than stellar rusher, don't be afraid to give the group another chance. Same thing for pref. Just because you're not head over heels about them doesn't mean you don't belong. If you're just so-so, I'd say give them a chance and see what happens. Any friendship requires time to grow.

Silence/Strict Silence: the time after preference parties until bid day when sorority women can't have contact with any PNMs.

The first day I went to a house and had an awful convo with a girl and I ended up getting asked back. The second day I went back I LOVED them. And long story short I ended up pledging that sorority. It's crazy how it changes day to day. Also the girl from the first day who I had an awful convo with, ended up becoming my big! Turns out she was sick and just having an off day.

You have to remember that we, the members, are JUST as nervous as you are. We want you to like us as well! Always give second chances and only decide if you don't like a house after a few times being there. They might surprise you :)

Like the post above me said, this year was an unprescendented year for COBing and it is highly unlikely to happen again. Almost every girl who sticks it out and trusts the process finds a home in Greek Life. Mizzou in unique in that we have one the largest Recruitments in the nation.

My sister dropped out of recruitment and regretted not sticking it out. And if you ask any girl who dropped out almost all of them will tell you the same thing. Give it a chance, trust the process and you will find your place.

Yay