As fall semester has finally arrived at college campuses nationwide in America, it is time for sorority recruitment. Many freshman and sophomore girls go through this process to make news friends and connections that will last a lifetime. During my sophomore year in college, I decided I would give rushing a try. I am a legacy of Greek Life at the same school my mother went to and joined a sorority at. My mother is my best friend and it has been a dream of mine to follow in her footsteps at the same college ever since I was a young girl. I'm not the most "girly girl." While I do enjoy doing "girly" things like shopping and getting my nails done, I am also a tomboy who loves to play sports, argue with people, and growing up, my friends were mainly dudes. I went to an all girls Catholic high school for three years and it was an adjustment from my co-ed private school I had previously attended. I made some great friends at the all girls Catholic school I attended but once I left and reentered the co-ed school system again, I was not in a hurry to be around girls 24/7 ever again.
It took me a while to finally convince myself to give rushing a try. My aunt and mother had fun stories from their sorority days and I hoped that my perception would change once I found my house. The first day of rushing is a crazy cluster as all the girls both on and off campus come out to compete for a spot in a popular sorority. Everyone is nervous as they take on the unknown, usually by themselves. You are greeted by the Rho Gammas who tell you what is expected of you throughout the rushing process. Once the introduction to the process is over, these group of girls disperse throughout campus to the many sorority houses.
I had no idea what this was like and when I finally reached the first house I was supposed to visit, I was greeted by a loud chant from the front door where the entire house of girls gather to chant their sorority slogan. They are overly peppy and perky with perfect hair, perfect teeth, and perfect outfits. One by one, you are separated from your group and guided throughout the house by one of the sorority members. I give these girls credit as it is extremely tiring and awkward to talk to five girls from each group for ten minutes and then try and remember them later. You go through five days of meeting girls from the different houses. Throughout day one and day two, you go to all of the houses and see which ones you want to be invited back to. Day three is when the houses start inviting you back and a lot of hearts start breaking on this day.
After going through the highs and lows of rush week, I ultimately decided that I was not a good fit for the Greek community. I have no ill will towards anyone who is in Greek life and am happy for all the girls who have found their "home." Remember, as you go through sorority recruitment, you do not have to continue if you no longer feel the drive. Greek life is not for everyone and that's okay; friends will come and you will still get invited to parties even if you are not in Greek life.
