Compare: The obvious sighting of a potential new member.
Members that are already in chapters can always pick out that new freshman who is eager to join the Greek community. Aside from the lanyard around their neck and the look of confusion on their face, potential new members have some pretty distinctive features for both fraternities and sororities.
For starters, they’re already decked out in their brand new Lilly Pulitzer or Polo Ralph Lauren. It’s funny to think that PNMs actually believe people dress like that all the time, when most of the time all we wear is athletic shorts and function T-shirts.
Working at orientation this summer, I could pick out the interested freshmen from a mile away. They also love to talk about how cool or popular they were in high school, and how much they think they know what organization they are going to join. Little do freshmen know, that’s what the recruitment process is actually for, and they have no actual concept of what organization would be best for them.
Contrast: The Introduction of PNMs and chapter members.
Although I have never been through the sorority recruitment process, my girlfriend has, and from the outside looking in, the process is very different. Sorority PNMs are greeted to the sounds of extremely loud cheering (which I could hear from inside my fraternity house in the Greek Village last year), whereas fraternity PNMs are greeted by an awkward silence that is still uncomfortable even from the other side.
Sorority women are all about welcoming every PNM into their house, and doing the best they can to make the PNM feel special. At one house, my girlfriend was so startled when one girl jumped out to say hi that she gave them a high five on accident. A tip for PNMs: Just smile back and you will be fine. Boys are a bit more laid back when it comes to the initial contact. PNMs have to do a lot more work to get a conversation flowing. So make sure to be confident and talk to as many people as you can.
Contrast: Bid Day.
Sorority bid day might be the most insane event that ever happens on the campus of the University of South Carolina. There are literally women everywhere, decked out head to toe in glitter and paint and anything else that might go with their theme.
In the past, bid day has taken place on the Historic Horseshoe, which only upped the uniqueness of the day. From Pi Chi Reveal to the PNMs running down the middle of the Horseshoe to meet their new sisters, there really is no event like it all year.
Fraternity bid day might be the exact definition of the complete opposite to the sorority version. New fraternity members report to the Russell House on a Sunday afternoon to view a presentation about the responsibilities that await them when they join their organization. Then they file out to the ballroom to receive their bid and head back to their residence hall. It’s still a really important day in the life of a fraternity man, but there definitely is not the same hype that surrounds sorority bid day.
Compare: Recruitment will actually show you what organization is best for you.
The way that fraternities and sororities go about showing PNMs this varies, but when it comes down to it all, Greek organizations are dedicated to looking for new members who value the same things they do. Whether it's through skits, songs, and lots of crying (for sororities), or BBQs, cigar nights, and hanging out (for fraternities), going through the recruitment process is all about actually getting to know the members in that organization.
No matter what you think you know about a group or which ones you think are cool, you don’t really know until you talk to someone in that chapter. Personally speaking, I know I wasn’t considering my organization at all when I went through the recruitment process, but I definitely have found the right one for me, and so do most people.
Good luck to all the potential new members as you begin the recruitment process. The University of South Carolina Greek Community is one of the best in the country, and we are all excited to welcome you. Just be yourself, have fun, and meet new people. That’s what it is all about, and you will find a place where you belong.
