Fall semester is synonymous with one thing to many incoming freshman–RUSH! And today I’m sharing all the best sorority rush tips you need to know.
Every semester, thousands of eager girls across the country participate in rush events, in order to learn more about their school’s sororities and potentially join a greek organization.
And it’s no wonder rush is so popular: Joining a sorority can facilitate leadership development and on-campus involvement, and can also bring you dozens of life-long friendships. Even if you don’t think Greek life is for you, rushing can help you get to know other girls in your class and develop your small-talk skills!
So, you’ve got your outfits picked out, your essentials stocked, your hairstyles planned, and recommendation letters turned in. Now what?
There’s only so much that the rush pamphlet will tell you, so I’m here to help. These dos and don’ts will provide you with tips and info to make sure that your sorority rush is a great experience!
Table of Contents
Rush Week Tips: Things to Do
1. Do bring a pair of flip-flops to leave in your purse and change into during passing periods.
Depending on what school you go to, sorority houses may be several blocks apart. Running in high heels is difficult, and your feet will certainly need the break!
2. Do keep your purse stocked.
I recommend bringing oil-blotting papers, baby wipes, a mirror and extra make up, mints, deodorant, and anti-bacterial hand gel. All of these will be lifesavers, especially during the hot days of August or September!
3. Do ask questions.
Use the time with each sorority to understand what the strengths of the organization are. Ask about what they’re involved with on campus, the type of academic rules they might have, and how much of a time commitment it is. Remember, the girls rushing you are just as nervous as you are, and the easier you make it to talk to you, the better!
4. Do get plenty of sleep and eat healthy meals.
Rush days are long and require lots of energy. You’ll want to be on your A-game the entire time, so getting sick is not an option. Remember that you’ll be coming in contact with tons of girls a day, so washing your hands and using antibacterial gel is a good idea. Also, try drinking Airborne or Emergen-C for an extra immunity boost!
5. Do use the time during skits to rest your feet and voice.
Enjoy those few minutes to yourself; cool down, relax your aching feet, and sip on the yummy drink they give you while watching the skit. However, don’t act bored or blase–that’s a sure way to get cut. Enjoy the skit, laugh and clap like you normally would, but use the time to regroup and refresh yourself.
6. Do be honest with yourself.
Eliminate different organizations mentally throughout the week and pledge according to what you want in your heart. Don’t let anyone pressure you into pledging a house that you do not feel comfortable at; not even your mom or siblings. Keep an open mind throughout the week, and be in touch with your instincts.
7. Do meet everyone you can!
Strike up conversations with fellow rushees during passing periods and remember girls you hit it off with that are rushing you. You never know who will end up living in your dorm hallway, sitting nearby in your biology lab, or participating in your pledge class! Rush is a great way to meet people and start off on the right foot at a new school.
8. Do be yourself and show off your personal style!
The best sorority houses are the most diverse ones–would you want all of your new friends to dress, talk, and look the same way? Of course not! Whether you like to dress boho, preppy, or little edgy, don’t be afraid to let your style come through.
9. Do pledge somewhere that challenges you.
College is all about personal growth, and there’s no better way to learn than by surrounding yourself with girls that make you want to be a better person. If you want to be a more devoted student, pledge somewhere with great test files, a cozy study room, and a high average GPA. If you want to be more involved, join a house that has several members in leadership positions on campus. You’ll be living with these girls, so its important that the house you’re picking is filled with good influences and good character.
Rush Week Don’ts: What NOT to Do
1. Don’t wear tons of jangling bangles or too many rings.
Remember that you’ll be shaking hands with dozens of girls a day–multiple rings will get uncomfortable in a hurry, and too many bracelets can be distracting.
2. Don’t be afraid to eat or drink anything that’s offered to you!
It’ll be hot outside and you’ll be doing A LOT of talking; the reason why sororities give you a soda or milkshake to sip on is because they know it will make you more comfortable! Don’t believe rumors perpetuated by TV shows like Greek that say sororities test you by seeing if you eat or not. Even if this were true, would you really want to join a house filled with girls who judge others like this? And while on that note…
3. Don’t believe everything you see on television or movies about Greek life.
The TV show Greek makes it seem like every sorority is at war with each other, and every girl in a sorority will stab you in the back the first chance they get. Remind yourself that this is NOT the culture of typical Greek organizations.
4. Don’t reach out to members of sororities outside of rush during recruitment week.
At most schools, members have been instructed by both Panhellenic (the governing body for sororities) and their rush team to NOT call, text, or send you facebook messages. This is a serious rush violation that they could get in big trouble for. Contacting them yourself will put your friends in an awkward position.
5. Don’t dress head to toe in sorority cliches.
Showing up to rush in pearls, red lipstick, a hair bow, and a beehive poof will only make you look ridiculous. If one of these things is your personal style, by all means wear it with confidence! But overkill will send the wrong message. Dress like yourself and be unique!
6. Don’t talk about boys or partying.
The conversations you have during rush should tie back to you or the sorority. Talk about your interests, hobbies, and what you would like to get involved with on campus. This should be a no brain-er as well, but really watch your language! Don’t say anything you wouldn’t say to your Grandma.
7. Don’t dismiss a house based on what you’ve heard from other people.
This especially applies if you’re a freshman and haven’t actually started school yet. The opinions you’re receiving about a sorority’s reputation may be biased or outdated. Go in with an open mind, and trust your gut.
8. Don’t hold grudges or blame anyone if you get cut from a house.
The way a sorority can bid on a girl differs for each Panhellenic administration, college, and chapter. Have an open mind about where you end up, and remember that you’re there because everyone in that house wanted you to be their sister!!
What do you think of these rush tips?
Are you planning on rushing? If you’re already in a sorority, what tips do you have for incoming freshman? What do you wish you knew before you rushed? Do you have any funny stories or experiences to share?? Leave a comment, I’d love to hear them!
It’s so fun to read this. We son’t have sororities in my country.
Cool article!
I have no interest in joining a sorority (I know it’s just not for me. lol.), but I am considering rushing. You know… meet new friends, work on my small talk skills, and get to dress up more than normal!! 😀
Does it cost money just to rush?
Would people be angry with me if I was just rushing but had no intention to pledge?
Also… kinda random question… anyone had experience with pageant girls getting into the sorority scene? I compete in pageants and have held some titles. Are sorority girls kinda anti-pageant girl? Or vise versa?
lol THANKS!
This article came at the perfect time, because Rush has definitely been on my mind this summer. I’m going to be a sophomore this year, and feel better knowing that some of you had a good experiencing rushing sophomore year.
One of the major and pressing questions that I have on my mind, though– does GPA play a factor in sororities’ consideration of you? I had a bit of a rough start freshman year, but am turning a new leaf this year. My two main goals this year are to focus on my studies and be a part of the sorority sisterhood experience.
What do you guys think? Thanks 🙂
I agree with that being in a sorority is not paying for friends, it is paying for events, insurance, and paying money to the organization. Similar to paying for a sports team or club dues.
I agree with most of these, however, the school that i go to has a very small greek system in comparison with the campus as a whole, so ours is a lot more casual than most other schools especially in terms of clothing, the first two days are casual for us!
But going greek was the best decison I made in college and I will always remember my greek-related things about college more than anything else.
I always wanted to be in a sorority, I did rush freshman year, but I could not afford it, even with all the financing options that are offered. Even though I may have missed out on some of the more intimate parts of sorority life, I lived with Thetas and I was able to interact with tons of other girls who were in other sororities too. I was lucky that at my first college, Denison, greeks and non-greeks were not as separate as they were at my second school, University of Maryland. I still wish I was more a part of a sorority, but when I got to UMD,as a junior, I was told there was no way I would ever be initiated. Do not be hateful towards sororities because you are not a part of one. You can still be friends with Greeks and you can still have fun with them too!
These are some really good tips. I can’t emphasize enough to TALK TALK TALK. Have a list of questions for each sorority (philanthropy events, sisterhood, etc). Good luck girls!
@allie, one heart one way!! <3
This is a great post BUT rushing is not the only way to join a sorority!
My sorority Mu Sigma Upsilon is the first multicultural sorority! We are apart of the National Multicultural Greek Council and instead of “rushing” we have ladies nights for interested girls and then they go through a new member orientation process to join
i think it would be great if you did a post on how to join other sororities because rushing is not for everyone (like me!) and you could be missing out on an organization that truly fits you best!
@emily I’m sorry you had a bad experience! Remember though that it was one girl out of that 30% who made that horrible comment to you–not all 30% have that ideology!
After reading everyone’s comments, a common thread of advice is to try it, then decide whether it’s right for you. Some girls thrive in structure, while others hate it. There are literally hundreds of organizations to join on campus, you you ought to pick the one that is right for you! Don’t judge others based on what they have chosen for themselves 🙂
Surely, there are a handful of rude and entitled girls in each sorority–but that is also the case in any club, classroom, dorm room floor, or any organization. Please do not let one girl ruin it for you, go in with an open mind and learn the heart of whatever organization you choose
Just commenting to say, Great article Chelsea! What great tips for girls going through recruitment this fall. (and yaay, written by a Tri Delta!!) :] I went through recruitment last year as a junior transfer and I couldn’t be happier with where I ended up. I went in knowing nothing about greek life at all, and I now can’t picture myself without my sisters. Greek life isn’t for everyone, but I think everyone should at least go through the recruitment process at least once. If you don’t find you fit in anywhere, at least you’ll have met lots of new people!
DL!
Love this post (Chelsea and Rebecca- yayyyy tridelt!) I agree with everyone that says to TALK TALK TALK. My chapter has cut girls because they just SIT THERE and barely say two words. I would also advise girls to stick with the entire process. If you decide after preference round (the final round) that you don’t want to join any of the houses, don’t pledge. I’ve seen too many girls drop out after the first day of rush because of the stress and not give the entire process a chance. Rush is extremely stressful but the end result is SO worth it (at least, it was for me 😉 ).
And enough with the “paying for friends” comments. That argument is so tired. Every college organization requires that its members pay dues. Being a part of a sorority is so much more than “nine thousand t-shirts-” it’s being a part of something larger than yourself, going through a ritual that has been around for centuries, living with 50 of your best friends, giving back to the community in numerous ways, having a bond with thousands of other collegiate women…I could go on, but you get the idea.
My school’s rush is in January, but good luck to all girls going through rush now!!!
DL!
Thank you for this information, especially things like don’t believe everything you hear and be yourself. During Formal Recruitment (Rush) some girls in the sororities are just as nervous as you are. I would also suggest not being afraid if you are the one doing most of the talking. We’re told (especially on the first night) to ask questions and let the Potential New Members do most of the talking. And thank you for pointing out that girls should not reach out to members outside of Rush. I always worry that the girls will think we’re being rude or putting on a show during rush, but it is a rule we have to follow.
Thanks so much for the info. I’m thinking about doing the informal rush at my school this year and it’s nice to have some perspective from someone who’s been through it.
Hi Chelsea, great advice. But please where can we find the red polka dot shoes in the first picture? I had a dream about them…lol.
Don’t rush if you have absolutely no intention of pledging! But I want to say that if you do end up going through rush, keep an open mind! Until you’ve been through it you really don’t know what being in a sorority is like. Re pageantry, just don’t be obnoxious about it, like everything else. Everyone’s just trying toget to know each other over rush.
Chelsea,
First of all, great article. I have nothing negative to say about it at all, great job!
However, I want to throw my two cents in. You stated that most of the girls dissing sororities in these comments aren’t actually in one, but I am. And I can say, from my personal experience, that sororities are NOT all they’re cracked up to be. At least, not from what I’ve seen, heard, and experienced.
I got a bid from one of the “best” chapters on campus, expecting to have the time of my life. After joining, I realized that the whole sorority is extremely clique-y and sectioned off already. 90% of the girls are snooty and looked bored all the time and never once made an effort to talk to me–even after I smiled and greeted them. I thought things would get better once I got my big, but I was VERY wrong. She turned out to be a girl I’d never even laid eyes on, and she hasn’t spoken a single word to me since that one time I met her.
The girls in my chapter are late for everything–and it’s not just a handful of girls, its everyone. They act bored, are never prepared for anything, never tell new girls about anything (except the ones who already knew older girls, which is most everyone except me) and pretty much pretend I’m not there. There are 4 girls that I really like and get along with, but it’s mostly because they’re sort of on the outskirts like me.
I’m trying to drop out ASAP, which is iffy since I’ve already been initiated. But I want out of this bs “sisterhood”. It’s all about favoritism and “fitting in”, and if you don’t you get ostracized. And it’s not just mine–I’ve heard intel from members of other sororites at my school that it’s the same for them. I’m paying around a *thousand* bucks a semester for this, and it’s a complete and utter waste of money. Obviously, this doesn’t apply to all chapters as I’ve heard plenty of success stories, but anytime you get a group of 100 girls together that grew up off of Daddy’s credit card, there’s going to be issues–especially for those of us who don’t fit that mold. It’s basically like reverting back to highschool, which is exactly what I didn’t want when I came to a university.
To sum it up, if you’re the sororitiy “type” and can handle girl drama, go for it. If not, either stay independent or join a sorority with a reputation for being sweet, down-to-earth and diverse, or you’ll probably regret it, like me.