Glossary:
Pi Chi: Panhellenic Counselor. A group of women who disassociate from their respective chapters and guide PNMs through the recruitment process.
PNM: Potential New Member. Woman going through Panhellenic Recruitment in hopes of joining a chapter.
I don’t want this article to be taken the wrong way. While I did have a horrible recruitment experience, I had a wonderful experience with my PiChis. They were incredible women that represented the best sororities have to offer, support and camaraderie. They just kind of forgot to mention a few things. If Briana P, Alexa E, Meg B, or Scottie A ever read this, THANK YOU! You were awesome
1. The Process Sucks
Okay so maybe your Pi Chis will tell you that the process is long and grueling. They’ll warn you about the high temperatures and even higher humidity. They’ll even remind you to wear comfortable shoes because you’ll have to walk multiple miles a day.
But what they won’t tell you is that they don’t just recommend a portable fan, they basically require it, you won’t survive without one. They won’t warn you about the fact that you will get blisters all over your feet (even the soles). And they also won’t tell you that no matter what setting spray or hairspray you buy, your makeup will fade and your hair will frizz, the perfect curls only a past memory
2. "Mutual Selection" isn't necessarily true
Panhellenic recruitment prides itself in the fact that recruitment is based on mutual selection. You choose the sororities and the sororities choose you back. *insert Dwight Shrute yelling “FALSE”* Sure you do get to rank your bottom sororities, but if they want you back, you go back. However, you do not get to return to the sororities that don’t want you back. They can insist on you, but you cant insist on them. So much for mutual selection.
3. Unfortunately, it is pretty superficial
Your appearance plays a huge role in which sororities ask you back. Maybe it makes cutting PNMs easier, or maybe there’s some algorithm or something. But frizzy hair, running makeup, excessive perspiration and off white teeth can negatively affect you. No one will outright tell you that, especially not your Pi Chis, but it is true.
4. It is possible for a girl to "fall through the cracks"
With over a thousand PNMs it is incredibly difficult to remember and judge every single one. Sometimes a girl gets dropped accidentally. There are so many wonderful, beautiful, amazing, intelligent girls that get dropped from chapters they loved, or recruitment itself, without valid reason. It just happens.
5. Philanthropy isn't as important as everyone makes it seem
The actual philanthropy event itself is incredibly important to every single chapter, there is no denying that. Every chapter raises insane amounts of money for wonderful causes. But when it comes to choosing a chapter, very rarely is the cause taken into account.
You can dedicate your time to any great cause and still make a difference. Likewise, most chapters won’t consider your specific tie to or previous work for their cause for the same reason. Whatever cause you dedicate yourself to, you can make a difference.
6. The process will destroy your self esteem and you will cry
I hate to say it but I did not meet a single girl during recruitment that did not cry and did not feel as if her self-esteem had been completely demolished. Chapters judge you based on a 15-minute conversation, the same way we judge them.
However, I am not even going to deny that it hurts to pick up your schedule in the morning and see that your favorite chapter isn’t there or that you have a lesser number of chapters than you expected. Was it something you said? Your outfit? Hair? I can’t say for sure, but I can tell you that I choose to believe that everything happens for a reason. Your Pi Chis will tell you to trust the system.
7. Being in a sorority is not the end all be all
As much as I would love to be in a sorority, (I withdrew myself because I was incredibly disappointed by the process), I know that I can still be involved on campus and have a great life making a difference and dedicating my time to whichever cause I truly love. More than anything I would love to have a group of friends I can call my sisters that will shower me with unconditional love because we share the same values.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t so lucky as to find a place I could call home. I had a horrible experience, but I encourage every girl that is somewhat interested to go through with it. You will learn a lot about yourself and maybe even find your home. That being said, it is not the end of the world if you are unhappy with the situation.