5 Formal Recruitment Tips
Start writing a post
Student Life

5 Tips to Get You Through Formal Recruitment

Recruitment can be nerve-racking; every sorority member knows. With a few tips and tricks, you’ll be on your way to find your sisters worry free.

26
5 Tips to Get You Through Formal Recruitment

Ah, recruitment. Such a fun, yet extremely stressful time. Being a potential new member, or PNM as we like to call you, is a daunting experience. There are so many chapters to visit, so many women to talk to, and so much information to retain. Luckily for you, every woman you talk to has been through the exact same thing. It's nerve-racking, but with a little insight, hopefully it'll be less scary.

1. Briefly look into some of the chapters on your campus.

While this isn't really necessary, but I found it very helpful. Before I went through formal recruitment, I researched every single chapter that my school had to offer me. While you don't need to look as in depth as I did, finding out the basics behind each sorority can be beneficial in the long run. You can usually find what chapters are on your campus by going to your school's website, and from there you can find out basic information about each chapter's philanthropy and sisterhood goals.

2. Make sure to plan your outfits in advance.

Some colleges make picking outfits for recruitment extremely easy by providing you with a t-shirt for every day of the week. However, many schools only provide shirts for a few days, leaving you to plan your outfits on your own. Trust me on this: you don't want to wing it the morning of recruitment with your outfits. Make sure you have an idea of what you want to wear each day of recruitment week. Generally, the attire gets gradually more formal as the week progresses, and it's important to keep that in mind. KU provides a pamphlet showing examples of each day's outfits, and other schools do as well. That being said, try to express yourself through your outfit since it's the first thing the women of the chapter see when they meet you. Wear clothes that you feel confident in, and your confidence will make you a strong candidate for any chapter.

3. Come up with a rough idea of conversation topics ahead of time.

The women of each chapter have spent a ton of time practicing how to get to know you, but it definitely helps us if you have planned answers and questions too. We'll ask you things like "Why do you want to join a sorority?" or "What is your major?" or maybe even basic things like "What did you do over the summer?" If you have an idea of what you're going to say when you answer, it makes the conversation much more fluid and easy. We only have a finite amount of time to talk with you, so the quicker you answer, the more we can learn about each other. If you have any questions about a chapter, either from things you've learned online or through others, ask us! While we can't discuss things like frat parties, bars, or alcohol and drugs, we're more than happy to answer any other questions you have about our sorority or campus in general.

4. Be your best self.

It's important to set yourself out from the crowd during recruitment, and being your genuine self is an excellent and simple way of doing just that. Answer questions honestly, not with the response you think we want to hear. It's usually obvious when someone is trying too hard to be someone they're not, so just be yourself. Don't be shy about the things that make you you; at the end of the day, if you can't be yourself around the women you're talking to, then that isn't the chapter for you. That being said, do try to be your nicest self. Don't be cranky or rude to the women you speak to; we know it's hot outside and that the days are long, but being short tempered isn't going to make us like you. If you think of recruitment as a slightly less formal interview, you'll do fine.

5. We know what being a PNM is like.

I'm not gonna lie, very few people enjoy every moment of recruitment week. The days are long, it's almost always hot, your feet hurt from heels, and you're just downright tired of talking to people at the end of the day. We all get it because we've all been there. If you feel like jokingly complaining about how the bus ride sucked or how you've cried from stress, we understand. Every girl who's joined a sorority knows the nervousness of choosing a chapter, the stress when you get dropped from a house you could've seen yourself in, and the fear that you might not get into the place you wanted. We've all been there. Even on our side of recruitment, we're still just as nervous and tired as you are. If nothing else, you can relate to us on that level.

Recruitment is stressful, and everyone who's done it, knows it. The good news is that it's only a few days and then you get to find your sisters. I have never regretted going through recruitment. One of my best friends and roommates I met during recruitment, and my experience in a sorority has allowed me to meet so many people I never would have met otherwise. Just be yourself, and I promise you'll find the chapter that's meant for you.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

50391
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

32201
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

955538
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

180656
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments