I knew I wanted to join a Greek house since the first time I saw "Legally Blonde" circa 2003. Being neglected sisters my whole life, rushing was at the top of my to-do list. While I was fortunate enough to have tips from my mom who went through recruitment, there were still things I wish I would have known and prepared for going into the week of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. days.
What to wear was the easiest part for me, it was the conversations between chapter members that had me nervous. I love getting to know new people, but what worried me was if they would be real conversations or more interview style: them trying to interrogate me and see if I'm a good fit. To my surprise, I found myself asking just as many questions, if not more, about them. I asked about living in the house, philanthropic events, or how they knew their chapter was the right fit for them. At one house all we talked about was Vampire Diaries and food, which explains why I joined them. Not all conversations flow seamlessly without awkward pauses, it happens. Maybe prepare a few questions or have topics in your back pocket to talk about when this occurs. As the week goes on, you will begin to find the house you feel most comfortable at. Symptoms include excited butterflies in your stomach as you wait for your favorite house to open their door.
"Preffing" was a new term for me to learn during recruitment week. At the end of each day, we would rank our houses from top to bottom. This is tough at first, but gradually gets easier as the week goes on. Simultaneously, the houses rank you. This horrified me more than it should have. How else would you find the perfect house for you? The system and algorithm has worked for years. I'm so grateful I ended up at a house I know wanted me to be a part of it.
Something I never would have guessed by their adorable matching outfits and put together hair and make-up: the members are nervous too. I'm terrified to be on the other side of recruitment this year. It's my job to stimulate conversation and I won't even go into all the rules we have to follow. The four inch heels I have to wear on house tour day haunt me and the fact that I impact a potential members decision is something out of The Conjuring. Keep in mind, we're nervous too.
Recruitment week is what you make it. There are aspects that are scary and nerve-racking, but you will have that amazing conversation and something will suddenly click. The one week is 100% worth the lifetime of memories and friendships. Oh, another thing I wasn't prepared for was the chanting and singing. Yeah, they do that and I promise, It's completely normal.
Good luck as you find the place you can call home and the friends you can call family. No matter how cheesy it is, it's true.
