Recruitment is in the air; all the sororities are preparing to meet you. They are practicing their recruitment songs, preparing their houses and many other different things to welcome you to your first greek experience. Are you prepared?
I went through formal Fall recruitment in 2013 and remember it as if it was just yesterday. I was an 18 year-old sophomore who wanted to make my college experience more memorable. All the articles I read on Tumblr didn’t exactly prepare me for recruitment here at CSULB.
Here is a list of things every potential new member should know if you are going through formal Fall recruitment here at The Beach.
1. Recruitment is held September 12th-15th this year. Click here to sign up. Nothing is worse then missing the deadline to sign up for formal recruitment, write it in your calendars if you want to participate!
2.Wear comfortable shoes and clothes (but still cute) Day 1. You visit every sorority house this day and have to attend every round or else you risk getting dropped from recruitment. Even if you have your eye set on a particular sorority it’s important to see what every other sorority has to offer regardless because sometimes you don’t get your first choice.
3.It’s extremely hot, especially on Day 1. For some reason recruitment weekend feels like the hottest weekend of the year so be prepared. It’s pretty common to being a bit sweaty by the third round. Bring powder if you have oily skin; trust me you won't regret it.
4.Talk to your Rho Gamma. A Rho Gamma is a recruitment counselor and every woman going through formal Fall recruitment is assigned one. They are sorority women who have temporarily disaffiliated from their respective chapter to help you find your home. I personally cried to my Rho Gamma when the house I thought I wanted cut me Day 2; they are there for you no matter what. It was an amazing surprise knowing that once I got my bid, my Rho Gamma was my new sister!
5.It’s okay to ask to use the restroom or for water. When you arrive to a house and you need to use the restroom, use it! Do it before the party starts if possible, but no it doesn’t hurt your chances of getting in. If you’re talking to a sorority woman and you need water, ask! Chances are they are hot and thirsty too, the last thing we want is for you to be dehydrated or even faint.
6.It’s emotional. You might cry when you’re going through recruitment (I know I did). Sometimes you don’t get that one house you really wanted or you get cut from more houses then you expected the second day. You cry because you don’t understand why, because you thought you had a great time there. The important part isn’t who cut you, it’s who picked you and wants to see more. Chances are slim of you being cut from every single house so don’t be too worried; you’ll find your home.
7.Every sorority is special in their own way; there isn’t a bad sorority on campus. Every sorority has philanthropy events, socials, formals and bigs and littles. It is safe to say all Panhellenic sororities are structured similarly. No matter what house you join you will be able to enjoy the Greek experience.
8.We are a community. CSULB is a huge school and only a handful of them join fraternities and sororities. Joining Greek Life makes our beautiful school a lot smaller. It helps you meet people you wouldn’t have met otherwise and helps you realize parts about yourself you didn’t know existed.
I’m recruiting for my sorority this Fall, can’t wait to meet you! If you have any questions about recruitment tell me in the comments section and I’ll answer them!
