1. Dress in a way that makes you feel comfortable.
It's easy to spend hours obsessing over what you're going to wear and how you'll wear your hair, but it's important to dress in a way that makes you feel comfortable and confident. It's normal for rounds to last all day with minimal breaks in between; recruitment is hard enough without wardrobe malfunctions or feeling uncomfortable all day. Keep the weather in mind and always plan for the chance a house is without AC. Depending on the round and the size of your university, you could be in a house with 60+ other girls, not including the sisters of the chapter.
2. The sisters of any given chapter are probably as nervous as you are.
Meeting so many people in a short amount of time can be extremely overwhelming for most people, but always keep in mind you aren't the only one feeling this way. Recruitment is stressful for both Potential New Members and Active Sisters. We know how emotional this experience can be, and we want you to find your perfect home as much as we want to find new sisters. The best thing you can do is be your genuine self and the system will guide you towards your new home.
3. Understand and trust the system.
Voting works through a process called Mutual Selection. At the end of each round, you vote on the chapters you would like to return to, and the chapters vote on which PNM's they would like to invite back. Ranking a chapter high during your voting does not guarantee you return to that chapter during the next round of recruitment. That being said... TRUST THE SYSTEM! This type of process is put in place so that you find where you will be most comfortable.
4. Ask questions.
There is much more to a sorority than the letters on the front door. Ask a chapter about their sisterhood, philanthropy engagement, and on-campus involvement. The more you know about the chapter, the easier it will be to vote at the end of each round. If there is something you don't understand, ask your Rho Gamma or a sister you meet during the recruitment process. DO NOT ask about parties, alcohol, or boys at any time during recruitment.
5. Keep an open mind.
You don't have to end up in the same sorority as your best friends, and sometimes that can be a good thing. College is a clean slate. This is the time for you to be 100% comfortable and confident in everything that you do. Try your best to come into the process with a completely open mind, and not to listen to the opinions of others. You may be surprised where you end up.
6. Have Fun!
Recruitment isn't meant to mentally break you down. The sisters of each chapter you visit are as anxious to find new sisters as you are to find your home. Every sister you meet has been in your shoes and knows how stressful this time can be. Always remember, at the end of this crazy process, you'll be meeting girls who will stand next to you on your wedding day.
