I have a sister that is 13 years older than me, so growing up she would tote me around everywhere. Her friends dotingly called me "peanut." I was like her little side kick, going wherever she went. I remember once she even brought me to some of her college classes with her. Six-year-old Margaret thought she was so cool walking around a university campus with her orange Jansport.
When my sister entered college, my mother, a Chi Omega, convinced her to go through sorority recruitment. My sister ended up pledging Alpha Omicron Pi in Fall of 1999 and set out to have the best four years of her life. Still, she would drag me along everywhere. I have vivid memories of my childhood inside of the AOII house, and I remember telling everyone that I would grow up and be part of "the panda club too."
Having both a mother and sister involved in Greek Life, there was no question that I too would go through sorority recruitment. In fact, I once wrote a persuasive essay in high school titled, "Why All College Students Should Go Through Rush." Perhaps that can be inspiration for a future article. I had everything lined up and ready to go. I got recommendation letters for every house, and my sister personally contacted "the panda club" to let them know I would be going through recruitment.
The recruitment process itself was a whirlwind of emotions. When I walked into the AOII house, it felt familiar, but that does not mean it felt like home. I had been to that house so many times before with my sister, but still, it was her house, not mine. The conversation in that house soon led to who my sister was: an advisor for the chapter. It wasn't bad, but I was there to talk about me, not my sister. I was timid to even let the other houses know that I was a legacy for a house down the row, in fear they would release me because I was sure to end up in my legacy house.
As the week went on, another house began to feel more like home to me; the house all the way down the row from the AOII house, the Tri-Sigma House. All of the conversations there were about me. They didn't care who my sister was, they were just trying to get to know me. I loved that so much. On preference day, I had a tough decision to make. I thought that even though I might not rank them first, there still may be a chance AOII would give me a bid because I was a legacy. I went with my gut and circled the house that felt like home, Tri-Sigma. I remember getting a text from my sister saying, 'I know what you did...." I was so scared to talk to her! When Bid Day came around, my Gamma Chi's asked me if I would be happy in my second choice. I said, "Of Course!" After all, I practically grew up in that house. But when they handed me them envelope, I saw the purple ink and I knew. I had gotten a bid from a sorority that was completely my own. I didn't have any ties to that house or the girls, they just generally wanted me for me! I was so happy, but still afraid to face my sister. I thought there would be no way I could ever wear my letters around her. It's now been 3 years since I pledged and my sister still thinks I should have chosen differently, but she ultimately admits, "as long as you're happy, I'm happy." We may not know the same rituals or follow the same standards, but my sister is still my sister and blood is much stronger than a bid card anyway.
