1. Be yourself.
The most important aspect that a brother looks for in a potential new member is authenticity. Basically, brothers want to see if the potential new member is genuinely a good kid, and will find his place in the fraternity. This one is basic, and we can usually tell whether a guy is being real or not. Just be yourself, talk to as many brothers as you can, and analyze where you think you'd fit in the most and where you would like to join.
2. Find the place that's right for you.
Rushing is a very subjective process and this is a time when you need to focus on how you feel at each fraternity you rush. If you are rushing alone, let the process be organic. Get a feel for each house, and continue to stay committed to places you really care about and want to join. If you're rushing with friends, trust your own opinions and make sure not to get swayed by your friends who may have different views. It's most important to find the fraternity that's right for you, even though it may differ from the ones your friends join.
3. Connect with a brother.
This point is critical: find a brother and connect with him. The best way to get to know a fraternity really quickly and efficiently is to befriend a brother right away. You want to see what the fraternity is like during rush events as well as on a regular evening. When you get to know one brother fairly well, you quickly meet a ton of other brothers. If you already know someone in a fraternity, use him as a source to introduce you to other brothers. Nonetheless, still consider your own opinions and analyze whether you see yourself in the fraternity.
4. Stay committed during the rush process.
I cannot stress enough how important commitment is in rush. Brothers are constantly meeting new guys during rush, and it is difficult to remember all the new people we meet. If you stay committed at rush events, brothers will definitely notice you. We value commitment during rush because it is usually indicative of commitment once given membership to the fraternity.
5. The “rush everywhere" concept.
You're constantly going to be told to “check out everywhere" by nearly every brother, in every fraternity you meet. Of course, it's a good rush strategy to check out every fraternity, but this is a misleading concept. You don't need to check out every house. Once you get a good feel for several fraternities and could see yourself potentially joining those several houses, continue rushing those fraternities. It is better to get to know several fraternities very well than to meet a bunch of guys in many different fraternities but not have formed good friendships with any of them.
6. Ask questions that will help you get to know the fraternity better, not just about its social life.
Every fraternity has parties that are registered and approved by IFC and Pan-Hellenic Association. Essentially, every fraternity has a decent social life, but that is not the sole reason why you should join a fraternity. Brothers want to see that you have interest in more than just the social aspect, and will make a major contribution in the long run. Therefore, focus on getting to know the fraternity better by asking questions about philanthropy, brotherhood activities, and academics.
