Recruitment is a really hectic and slightly scary week and a half. Seriously — it's five days of timed conversations with too many people that you have never met. I was about to talk to maybe 100 strangers or more in two days, and I was nervous.
But for girls going through Recruitment, there is someone who is waiting for you to ask a question: your Pi Chi.
Pi Chis, or Panhellenic Counselors, are trained to help PNMs (Potential New Members) through the process of Recruitment, and many girls don't realize just how great of a resource their Pi Chi can be.
When I went through Recruitment, my Pi Chi was seriously the best. She was ridiculously involved at UVA while also being relatable and someone that I felt comfortable talking to. But it wasn't just my Pi Chi who was like that — all of the sorority women that serve as Pi Chis are genuinely helpful and kind people.
But I think that women going through Recruitment don't fully understand that the upperclassman who helps them find different houses and distributes schedules is actually one of the greatest tools the ISC can give them. Pi Chis understand the lay of the land: they've already gone through Recruitment and know how crazy it can be. Their job is to help out the PNMs and make them feel more comfortable and knowledgeable during these crazy days of meeting hundreds of new people.
As disaffiliated greek members, Pi Chis have a unique point of view. These women are able to offer unbiased advice and help, which is exactly what PNMs need during recruitment.
On top of that, all of the Pi Chis want to help. What is the point of having Pi Chis if PNMs don't ask them any questions?
These women know everything there is to know about Recruitment, and they want to help their group of PNMs. I only hope that every girl going through Recruitment knows that there is someone there for them, and that they take advantage of their Pi Chi and ask every question they could possibly imagine.
Looking back on my own Recruitment experience, I can see just how big of a role Pi Chis play in a PNM's experiences. They are there to offer a word of encouragement, pieces of advice, and a shoulder to cry on if that moment ever happens.
So I want to say thank you to all of the women who have been, will be, and currently are Pi Chis for UVA, and to encourage all PNMs in the next few weeks to take advantage of such a wonderful resource.
