Interested or not, every female has heard something about sorority life. Whether your knowledge comes from your own experience, or through the lens of Elle Woods, everyone has heard something about rushing. However, a relatively unique perspective on the sorority rush process comes from participating sophomores. Rushing is recommended and most common for incoming freshman in order to get the full, four-year college experience as a sorority sister. But every recruitment class has its fair share of sophomores looking to explore what they once missed out on. Although sophomores are not much different than freshman in terms of age, there are significant lifestyle differences that make rushing an entirely different experience. So, in light of these differences, here are my top three thoughts during sorority recruitment (as a sophomore):
1. “No, I don’t live in the dorms”
Although living arrangements by year may differ from university to university, it is typical at UW-Madison for sophomores to leave dorm life behind and sign their first leases. During rush, in order to avoid awkward breaks in conversation, members often have prompts on various topics to help keep the talking going. One of these topics includes your living situation. Or more commonly worded (as I found) “what dorm are you living in?” After responding with the name of my apartment complex, I receive a look of confusion, giving me the cue to introduce myself as a sophomore. After visiting 12 houses, some more than once, and talking to 3 or 4 girls at each, the conversation becomes almost too predictable. But, I’d say that same look of confusion remains priceless, every time.
2. “I can’t believe I’m spending my time (and $40!) going through this”
Putting my actual education aside, if there are two major lessons every college freshman learns, it’s that time is valuable and money is scarce. College is the beginning of a time where there is more to be done than there are hours in the day. Whether I’m finding time between classes to do homework, study, participate in student orgs or enjoy the recreational activities my university has to offer, there is always something I could be doing. College is an active environment, and no one has time to waste. So, when I’m standing out in the 90 degree heat for 5 hours, sweating through my cute, carefully chosen outfit, and following instructions to return for the same process in the same conditions for the next three days in a row, it’s only natural to ask myself over and over how worth it rushing actually is. Then I remember that I plunged $40 in just for the sign-up, so I better suck it up and get my “money’s worth” of recruitment. 3. “Why didn’t I rush as a freshman”
Throughout the sweat, stress and sometimes tears brought on by recruitment, I found that it all became worth it in the end. While some girls go through rush and realize its not for them, I found that sorority life is something I wish I had been interested in a year earlier. Although I’m sad I won’t get the full four-year experience with my sisters, the recruitment experience is a process that strengthened my character, even as a sophomore.