What if you had to talk about real things during rush

If those are the types of superficial conversations you're having, perhaps YOU are the problem. While we make every effort to stay far away from politics, I have had interesting conversations in the last few days about the Maui fires and deaths, electric cars and what they do for the environment (and how Elon Musk is a douche), the need for sororities to be more inclusive and more. It is important that you be up to date on what's going on in the world. You never know where a good conversation will take you.

I even have had some conversations about politics. It didn't start out that way. Things just organically wound up there. Fortunately, the conversations I've had were with like-minded women who agree the orange menace is a disaster for this country. Amazed and please at how enlightened these PNMs are. Time to start thinking for yourself. You don't have to agree with mommy and daddy anymore.

I have had some great conversations. It makes me want to get to know people even better.

It sounds like you have never been through sorority rush or even get the purpose of sororities.

Sororities are social organizations that thrive because people with the same vibe come together for mutual support and fun. They are not political or activist organizations looking for members with similar viewpoints, they are not thinktanks, they are not honor societies. There are plenty of other organizations for those things. They are also not the shallow places that some want to think; status symbols, social media platforms, modeling agencies, dating services for frats, or reality shows for other's entertainment.

Sororities fill a unique and vital niche for young college women: friendship, sisterhood, a home away from home, and a peer group to elevate each other in whatever interests or goals a member has. Women need their own spaces for these.

The point of rush conversations is to get a feel for each other's personality. It's not the questions or topics that matter, it's HOW the personalities show through. You've got to show your personality, social skills, and good manners, on both sides of the coversation. And there is limited time in a round to do this but it works. This is all about personality fit. The deep stuff can wait, but if it comes up naturally and organically in a rush conversation and both parties are into it and going with the flow, then great, and that's a fit, but it's not the point and not really necessary.

And does it really need to be pointed out that these are young women just out of high school being rushed by other young women who are not much more experienced than they are? Brand new experience either way with everyone still finding her way in this situation. It's an easy opening to remark on someone's outfit or whatever, but how it goes after that is the real tell. And the main topics are actually about college life and sorority life, how it works, what to expect, how to manage it all, because that's paramount in everyone's mind. There are nerves and stress on both sides because there is a lot on the line for all involved. Which also make these conversational situations an excellent life experience.

There is a necessary and important dynamic going on even if the subject matter is not heavy.

I thought we weren’t supposed to take about politics anyway?

You are speaking with the women you will call sisters for the next 4 years and beyond. Not all conversations are superficial and there's no reason to be content with that. As young women we are living in very difficult times as a bunch of old, saggy, out of touch white men are making decisions about our bodies and our future. If you get reactionary vibes, run far away. I assure you, however, that most women on this campus, and most who go through rush, are more enlightened than that. As a junior, that's what I've found to be true.

I had a conversation yesterday with a girl, and she made me feel comfortable enough to be vulnerable with her and I shared an experience from my life that she coincidentally went through too. We cried together and I connected with a stranger in a way I never thought could in such a short period of time. Even if I don’t get to be in that sorority in the end, I will certainly be seeking this girl out.