I have now been on both sides of formal sorority recruitment and after consulting some of my sisters we have created a list of some things we wish we would have known before we went through recruitment.
Do: Come in with an open mind
Never narrow your mind about a sorority. It is important to keep your options opens because every day you visit a house you have the opportunity to make a great connection with a girl. So, therefore, to ensure you have the best options go into every house with the same mentality and to be excited about all the amazing girls you have the chance to meet. Even if you do not end up in a particular chapter you still meet a great friend.
Don't: Fake it, it's obvious when people say things they think a recruiter just wants to hear
Throughout recruitment, especially if you are going in with a narrowed mind it can be easy to fall into a routine of telling the women of a chapter what you think they want to hear. Yet this means that you are choosing a chapter off of the wrong values. You choose to be a part of a chapter because they have the same goals and values as you do. So if you are feeding them what you think they want to hear and not who you truly are you're going to end up in place that you aren't going to feel the most comfortable, grow the most, or even be the happiest. Plus it is very easy to know if a potential new member is feeding the recruiter lines and not being genuine.
Do: Pack snacks, tampons, and extra shoes
You have long days ahead of you running from chapter to chapter and all over greek row so planning ahead is essential. Packing things like snacks and water to keep your energy up. Mints or gum to ensure you have good smelling breath. Deodorant or perfume to keep your hygiene high. Then if you're able to bring extra shoes for your breaks to give your feet a rest if you plan on wearing heels
Don't: Talk about other chapters to other potential new members, your experience is unique to you
It becomes hard to not want to discuss your feelings and experiences of a chapter with your friends and other potential new members around you. Except based on respect for each other as potential new members and chapters it is proper for you not to speak about them. Understanding that every student has a unique experience at each chapter and you wouldn't want to alter an opinion or ruin the experience for another woman.
Do: Take good notes
Right after you get done speaking with a chapter take detailed notes. It won't be beneficial to you later to just state that you did or did not enjoy a chapter. State why you did or did not, write down what it was in general you talked about. You will need to refer back to these notes later and you will be grateful for your detailed notes
Don't: Go off preconceived notions you may hear
A stereotype or stigma of a chapter is usually based off of one opinion of one person on one experience they may have had with a member of a chapter. Therefore you must not build an opinion off of chapter based on these. There are hundreds of women in these chapters and every woman is unique and amazing in their own way, therefore, one opinion should never drive your decision. A chapter changes and grows day to day, semester to semester, year to year, therefore, the opinions you may be hearing are irrelevant and most likely inaccurate. This whole process is for new members and gives them a chance to create their own opinions and choose a place from them.
Do: Consult your rho gammas
At my university when you are put into groups based on where you live and are given a leader who has been disaffiliated from their chapter to help you through the recruitment process and they are called Rho Gammas. These women have been taught many things about each chapter and learned to have an unbias opinion towards all chapters. Therefore they are there for all of the new members to help guide them and give them advice. They will help you through every struggle you may have so they are the best people to consult and go to with any questions you may have and they will give you the best advice they can.
