Welcome Potential New Members! I was you once. So eager; so full of life. But, I also know that before I went through recruitment, I was a nervous wreck. I stayed up at night wondering and worrying.
"Will they like me?"
"Is this dress too long?"
"What if I don't get asked back to my top house?"
I was you once. But, I made it through just fine. I cried and laughed all through recruitment. I worried every day, and I'm sure you will to. In order to help, I decided to make it easier on all of you Potential New Members and make this helpful guide for each day.
Day One: Open House
By the time your Gamma Chi lines you up in front of that first house your stomach will be upside down. You will be so nervous that you feel like you're going to faint. Take a deep breath, pop a breath mint just in case, and put on a smile. The people behind that door are just as nervous as you! Now, you'll hear a series of knocks and then loud singing followed by a bunch a beautiful girls spilling out of a doorway. Don't be scared. Just sit where the girl tells you to and have some nice conversation! Its so easy and you should not be worried.
Day Two: Philanthropy/House Tours
For this round some of you are going to be devastated because your top houses did not ask you back. I was heartbroken! But, I promise that life goes on. Now, your Gamma Chi will line you up at the front door again and there will be more singing. A lot of times during this round there will be a heart-wrenching video about that house's philanthropy. I cry every time ours come on. So remember to be respectful during the video because philanthropy means a lot to each chapter! After that is over, usually they will split the group into halves, one half will stay there and make a craft to benefit the philanthropy and the other half will go on house tours. During the crafting part use that time to ask questions. That lets the girls know that you're interested. It also lets you get more acquainted with the chapter you could end up in! House tours were one of my favorite parts of going through recruitment, just because I am super nosey. During house tours the girls will take you through different rooms of the house to show what their bedrooms look like. Whatever you do: DO NOT MAKE FUN OF A ROOM!!!!! For all you know, that could be their room.
Day Three: Skit or Sisterhood
This was my least favorite day. On this day you'll be lead in and there will be a skit performed talking about their chapter and about sisterhood. I always find this day to be so awkward for PNMs, but on the other side it's so much fun! Smile, laugh, and have a good time because these weirdos that are jumping around in costumes in front of you could be you sisters in just a few days. I wouldn't trade my weirdos for anything! This is also the day that those girls will start asking if there house is where you want to run home to. BE HONEST. Don't worry about hurting their feelings.
Day Four: Preference
This is by far my favorite day. I felt so at ease this day. I knew where I wanted to go and I could not wait to tell someone! This day, however, is not fun. You will generally walk into a dark, quiet room. All of the girls will have on the exact same color dress and the exact same color shoes. They will sing songs that will make you cry, and then they will ask you if that is where you want to call your home. Again, BE HONEST. If you want to be there tomorrow and for the rest of you life then tell them! If you have found your home at another chapter, then tell them that. Do not lie to them to spare their feelings. This will end up hurting you. At the end of the day you're going to feel drained. You will probably cry when you get back to your room. That is all okay because the next day is Bid Day. And it will make up for the most stressful, tear-filled week of your life!
Day Five: BID DAY!
This is by far the best day of the year. These girls count down the days until their "babies" run home. There will be more tutus and face paint than you've ever seen in your life. People will cry this day and people will cheer, jump, and laugh enough to make up for a whole week of tears! I tear up every time I think of my bid day, because that was the first day of the rest of my life!
I hope you all found this guide helpful for your long road through Recruitment. Just relax and be yourself. Everything is going to be okay!
