It’s been almost one year since I went through formal sorority recruitment but it feels like just last week. I’m still learning so much about all my sisters and Greek Life in general. Being on the other side of recruitment is such an eye-opener, especially with my own experience so fresh in my mind.
I know the night before I went through, I tried in vain to research everything I could about sorority recruitment since no one I knew had ever gone Greek. Everything I found focused heavily on Greek Life in the South and on the East coast. And let me tell you, going Greek is a lot more intense there than it is here. There really aren’t resources for sorority recruitment in Utah or even in the Western US. So here are some tips for going through Greek recruitment at the U.
BE YOURSELF
As basic as this sounds, it’s so important. It’s a nerve-wracking experience and will be like nothing you’ve ever done before. So, it get’s hard to stay collected and true to who you are. You may be tempted to stretch the truth to ensure yourself a spot in your favorite house but it’s not worth it. Being as real and genuine as possible is the best way to make sure you end up in the right place with girls you’ll be proud to call your sisters.
TRUST THE SYSTEM
This phrase will be pounded into your brain from day one of recruitment all the way up until Bid Day and that’s because it’s true. The recruitment system seems extremely foreign, blunt, and maybe even harsh at times but it has been tweaked and refined over years and years to make sure that it puts girls where they belong. It found me a home and it can definitely do the same for you as long as you let it.
DRESS IN YOUR COMFORT ZONE
There is no dress code for recruitment aside from Preference Night which is slightly fancier. As long as you look well put together and comfortable, you’ll be fine. If you’re not the kind of person who wears heels and dresses, don’t stress yourself out! Wear some cute shorts and sandals. Southern sorority girl blogs will tell you not to wear pearls or bows or certain colors because they are cliche sorority girl items. There are no such “rules” in Utah.
AVOID TABOO TOPICS
Your recruitment counselors will attempt to steer you away from topics like boys, alcohol, drugs, religion, and other such things so please listen to them. It creates a very awkward situation when girls going through recruitment bring up things like this. Try to remember that going Greek is about finding a sisterhood, not a party outlet. When in doubt, avoid the three B’s: Boys, Booze, and Bible. It keeps the conversations flowing much better and won’t throw up any red flags to the houses.
HAVE FUN
Not only will you potentially find a home-away-from-home through Greek Life, you may even find some of your best friends simply going through recruitment. You’ll go around the houses in the same recruitment groups every day and you’ll be lining up and spending a lot of time with the same girls. Take the opportunity to make some friends! Even if you end up in different houses, chances are you’ll remain friends and help in spreading Panhellenic love throughout Greek Row.
Regardless of whether or not you think Greek Life is for you, I would strongly encourage going through recruitment. It’s an experience you won’t get anywhere else but you’ll fine-tune skills that will help you in many aspects of adult life.