Everyone knows that Sorority Recruitment is a whirlwind of hundreds of different girls, faces, names, and conversations. What most people do not know about recruitment is that the process is equally stressful and anxiety-evoking on both sides of the process–for the Recruiters and the Recruitees. However, this process is also immensely exciting and enjoyable, as you are given the opportunity to meet and speak with a variety of different girls–all with amazing personalities and great stories to tell. With Spring Recruitment quickly approaching, I feel that it is necessary to explicate how different Spring Recruitment is from Fall Recruitment. Spring Recruitment harbors both advantages and drawbacks, as Fall Recruitment does as well. So, if you are interested in joining a sorority this quarter, take a look at Spring Recruitment’s pros and cons below!
Fewer girls going through recruitment, thus a smaller pledge class
PRO: The spring pledge class is usually very close simply because there are fewer girls in it. Fall pledge classes can have between 40 to 50 girls, which can be overwhelming. Cliques break off into large-sized groups in fall pledge classes; however, Spring Recruitment ensures that you will have the time to get to know every girl in your pledge class.
CON: The smaller pledge classes tend to be closer with each other which sometimes makes it difficult to join a larger organization of girls where everybody has established groups of friends. New members who are freshmen might have problems bonding with freshmen active members because they joined much later.
Fewer time constraints during conversations
PRO: During formal recruitment in the Fall, rush parties are on strict schedules since there are over 500 girls rushing–the parties are shorter. However, during Spring Recruitment, the parties are longer and more like open houses–where potential new members can come and go as they please. If you are having a great conversation with an active member, you are welcome to stay until the open house ends.
CON: If you end up having a great conversation with an active, it is likely that she will be the only one you speak with during a Spring Recruitment party. Meeting only one girl may not give you a good sense of the variety of girls in house or what that sorority has to offer you.
Fewer regulations means you can only see the houses you are interested in
PRO: Because Spring Recruitment is later in the year, most potential new members have an idea of which houses would be the best fit for them or want to join the sorority that their friends are in. Spring Recruitment is good for girls who have a specific house that they want to join because they do not have to go through the formal recruitment process in which each girl must you must attend every house.
CON: Fall Recruitment puts all of the houses on an even playing field, allowing girls to join the house that really is the best fit for them. Seeing all of your options before making a decision is never a bad thing; and the process allows potential new members to narrow down their choices day by day.
Spring Recruitment will be April 9th to the 11th. More information can be found on the CPC website!
http://www.sa.ucsb.edu/osl/GreekLife/Recruitment/CPCSpring.aspx