At GW, Greek Life is a massive part of campus life and joining it is always a running question among incoming freshmen. Consisting of Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Epsilon Phi, Alpha Phi, Chi Omega, Delta Gamma, Kappa Delta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Phi Sigma Sigma, Pi Beta Phi, Sigma Delta Tau and Sigma Kappa, the Panhellenic community here at GW is full of amazing women who do many incredible things.
The happiest time of the year for these sorority sisters happens to be just around the corner: recruitment! At GW, recruitment begins with a weekend of PNMs (Potential New Members) talking with and getting to know the sisters of our 11 different Panhellenic chapters. The weekend then ends with bid day on the National Mall, where sisters welcome new members and celebrate the end of recruitment and their entrance into one of our amazing Panhellenic chapters.
After spending long hours in the Marvin Center talking to tons of different girls every night, recruitment can become stressful and draining. There are so many decisions to make and so many conversations to have that it is easy to become overwhelmed if you are not familiar with the process.
But, do not fret. Whether you are already registered for recruitment or were just thinking about registering, it is always helpful and comforting to read some advice to familiarize yourself with the GW recruitment process. From making your own decisions to staying true to who you are, there are many simple tips that could help ease the recruitment process. In the end, going through recruitment is completely worth it and you will be thrilled to become a member of the GW Panhellenic community!
What better way to get advice about going through recruitment than from girls who went through the exact process themselves? Here are some of the best tips and advice that GW sorority sisters want PNMs to know:
Make It Your Choice
“At the end of the day, it’s the meaningful interactions that you personally have with the girls during the recruitment process that actually matter. You’re going to become super close with these ladies for the next four years (and even more!), so…have the decision be completely yours!” – Nikki, Junior
“You’re the one choosing the sorority, not your friends. The power is in your hands. It’s easy to get distracted by what your roommates do, or even what your best camp friend’s older sister says you should do. But in the end, you’re the one who’s going to spend a significant amount of time with these girls so you need to love them.” – Melyssa, Junior
Relax: Sisters Were Once PNMs and Understand Your Perspective
“The funny thing about recruitment is that on both sides, we all want to be liked. From the PNM’s perspective, we want each chapter to like us, and from the chapter’s perspective, we want each girl that walks into our room to like us back! It happens on both sides so don’t be too nervous because we know exactly how it feels to go through recruitment. But it’s exciting!” – Sanna, Junior
Know What You Want To Get Out Of The Sorority Experience
“My advice for PNMs is to go into recruitment knowing what you want out of the sorority you choose. Every sorority is unique and stands out in their own way, but in the midst of meeting them all I think that it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of recruitment and lose sight of who you are and what you’re looking for in a sisterhood… What type of girls do you want to make your friends, roommates, sisters and someday bridesmaids and more? What are the experiences you hope to have with these girls? Who can you see spending the next four years and beyond with? These are the type of questions you need to ask yourself.” – Alayna, Junior
Keep An Open Mind
“Try not to go into recruitment knowing what sorority you want to be in. Keep an open mind while talking to each different sorority and really think about who you could see being your life long friends.” – Marissa, Junior
Just Be Yourself!
“Be yourself. It not only hurts you, but it also hurts sisters in the chapters if you are anything but yourself as you go through recruitment…If you go through recruitment and are true to yourself, sisters will see that and you’ll be able to meet girls that you can really connect with and be yourself around.” – Victoria, Junior
“Just be yourself. Recruitment is exhausting as it is, but it’s even more exhausting if you are trying to be someone besides you. The next four years are the best years of your life, but it’s also a long time. The most important thing is to find a sorority that loves you for you.” – Sara, Junior
Remember, whichever chapter you end up in or even if you decide Greek life is not for you, your four years in college are whatever you make them. The sorority you are in does not define you, but can add to your college experience. Take a deep breathe, relax and know it all works out.