This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at U Ottawa chapter.

Choosing to study at the University of Ottawa was the first step towards an unforgettable student life.

Partaking in Rush this fall will be the second step to an even better four years! (Trust me)

But what is Rush?

Simply put, Rush is the recruitment period Greek organizations hold to recruit new members. During club’s week, you’ll see their tables adorned with Greek letters around campus and members will be handing out brochures and their recruitment calendars to entice you to join.

You might be surprised sororities and fraternities exist outside of American Pie (and the United States), but Canada is actually home to an important Greek community. Universities across Canada such as McGill, UBC, Western, and of course uOttawa, have sororities and fraternities on their campuses.

Combining all Greek Organizations from both uOttawa and Carleton forms one of the biggest Greek communities in Canada, with 15 sororities and 10 fraternities! You can be assured their annual philanthropic Greek Olympics held during the fall is not only tremendously fun, but also immensely successful.

Alpha Phi – Derby Days Champions – Organized by Sigma Chi Fraternity

However, you’ll quickly notice these sororities and fraternities are far from the American stereotype people usually associate them with.

Focusing on sororities, their common goal is to upkeep a strong foundation within the organization for members to grow into well-rounded women. It is all possible thanks to leadership opportunities, various philanthropic initiatives, strong academic support and most importantly, sisterhood.

Although there are many perks that come with being a member of a Greek organization, being part of a strong sisterhood is the most rewarding of them all. Your friends are the family you choose, and a sorority truly is your family away from home.

So how do you Rush?

It’s quite simple.

Each organization holds their unique recruitment activities during the first three weeks of September (you can find the calendars on the organization’s Facebook page)! I strongly encourage all of you to consider multiple organizations to find your perfect match.

During recruitment events, members and rush-ees (that’s you!) mingle, all while learning about the organization and what it stands for. It is highly recommended to go to at least three events, and if that isn’t possible for every organization you are interested in, message sisters and plan coffee dates! Knowing many members will make your transition into the sisterhood much smoother.

What about Rush etiquette?

Simply be you.

As cheesy as it sounds, there really is no better tip. You are not there to impress anybody; only to find your lifelong friends.

However, it is still important to keep a good composure during recruitment events since first impressions do matter. Don’t bad-mouth others, avoid having a sailor’s mouth, and if you go to social events (aka mixers), remember that you are there to meet people and that you want to remember them the next morning (don’t do binge drinking).

Speaking of mixers, they often have themes associated with them. Play along by dressing up and showing your creative side. The more you’re into it, the better. Pinterest is the best tool to find inspiration for outfits to wear to mixers or simply to recruitment events!

Finally, the sorority will give you a bid to invite you to join!

Once rush is over, many sororities hold preferential night, which is an invite-only event. This is the last event members have to decide who to offer bids to. Afterwards, when you receive your bid(s) to join an organization, you are given a certain period of time to accept it or turn it down.

Joining an organization filled with members who have similar morals and ideals during university is an amazing initiative a student can take. It will push you to better yourself and give you leadership opportunities you may not have had otherwise.

“Every girl when she enters the fraternity shall come not with the idea that she is to imitate the ideals of the Great Originals, but with the positive vow that she will struggle her utmost to add something wonderful to that ideal.” – Martha Foote Crow

For more information, please visit the University of Ottawa Greek Council website by clicking on this link!

Below is a list of the Greek organizations at the University of Ottawa

Sororities (alphabetical order)

Alpha Phi

Facebook, Twitter and Instagram : @OttawaAlphaPhi

Website: https://www.alphaphi.org/Home

Delta Delta Delta (Tri Delta)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Delta-Delta-Delta-uOttawa/193373864023311

Website: www.ottawa.tridelta.org

Zeta Theta Xi

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zeta-Theta-Xi/118634541534607

Website: http://www.zetathetaxi.org/