Paige, Penn State

BIOGRAPHY

Name: Paige Marecic

School: Pennsylvania State University

Sorority: Sigma Kappa

Rush Q&A

How does rush week work at your school?

Rush at Penn State is a 10-day process. The 10 days consisted of open houses, first-rounds, second-rounds, Preference Night, and Bid Day! As the rounds go on, the sororities rank you just as you rank them. Every day you receive a list of sororities that you have been matched with to come back. The paper gives you a time to be at their suite on that specific sorority's floor. As rounds go on, the dress code becomes less casual and you begin to go back to less sororities. On Preference Night, you visit your final two options. You rank them, show up at bid day two days later, and open your envelope (that you have to sit on before it is time to open it!) to find what sorority you have been invited to pledge. That begins the full-out RUSH of about 1500 girls to Old Main lawn that are eager to find their new sisters...and the theme that you will be participating in for the rest of the evening together :)

What was the most surprising part of rush to you?

The most surprising part of rush to me was definitely the amount of time that you devote to visiting sororities. There are 18 at my university. There are many breaks between visiting the sisters, so I was sure to bring a snack and some homework.

What did you do to prepare before rush week?

I made sure to bring the correct style of outfits to school with me when I moved in. Dress code is pretty strict and can definitely contribute to the way you are viewed by the sisters. A first impression is a lasting impression! I was also sure to prepare a few facts about myself that I wanted the sisters to know about me. I also prepared my answer for the VERY common question:
"Why did you choose to rush?"

Tell us a little about your sorority rush wardrobe essentials.

Going back to how I prepared, I was sure to bring a few pairs of plain colored, not-too-short, pairs of shorts to match the shirt we would be wearing for open houses. For first-rounds, I wore a bit fancier shorts, a blouse, classy sandals, and a statement necklace. Second rounds included a flowy, white/navy dress with wedges, and a floral romper with wedges. Preference Night included a white, 3/4 length sleeve cocktail dress and magenta scrappy heels. (Hint: Jewelry is fun and can really dress up a more casual outfit. Show them your style!) Bid Day was all up to you because you'd be receiving your new sorority's shirt upon finding your new sisters!

Kori, Mizzou

BIOGRAPHY

Name: Kori Younger

School: Mizzou

Sorority: ZTA

Rush Q&A

How does rush week work at your school?

The first two days are Open House Round, potential new members visit all 15 sororities and will meet with active members for 25 minutes. PNMs preference 11 houses after this round. Philanthropy Round is two days where Potential New members attend a maximum 11 45 minute socials. PNMs preference 7 houses at the end of this round. Sisterhood Round is a day to get a develop a personal connection with the active members, PNMs visit a maximum of 7 houses during this round but it is not uncommon for a PNM to not visit the max number of houses during this round as well as the others. PNMs will also watch a skit the actives have prepared for them. Preference round PNMs may visit a total of 3 houses. This day is more serious. Saturday, bid day, PNMs gather on Farot Field where they anxiously count down to 1 to open their bid cards. Ladies then run to the senior representatives of their new house, where they run to the house together.

What was the most surprising part of rush to you?

The most surprising part of rush was how competitive it was. It was astonishing how many girls did not receive a bid. With the second largest rush, i assumed it would be competitive, but i didn't realize the magnitude of it until i lived it. Just because a girl was pretty and popular in high school didn't necessarily mean she was successful during recruitment. Sororities looked for girls that would impact their house in a positive way.

What did you do to prepare before rush week?

Preparing for recruitment is a lot more than dieting and tanning the month before recruitment. Preparation begins in high school. I personally feel that one of the biggest factors that set girls apart is their involvement in High School and participation and leadership in service events.

Tell us a little about your sorority rush wardrobe essentials.

During the first two rounds PNMs are given matching t-shirts to wear, so I would dress these up with a chunky necklace and post earrings or layered necklaces and statement earrings. Everyday i carried a bright pink Rebecca Minkoff cross-body which carried things like deodorant, lipgloss, and makeup for touch ups. But this accessory also stood out and gave active members and extra something to remember me by. Everyday i wore my nude Tory Burch sandals because they go with everything (DUH), a rose gold Kerry by Michael Kors watch, and Alex and Ani bracelets on the other wrist. Accessorizing is a must for recruitment! Not only does looking great give you a boost of confidence, each accessory is also a potential conversation starter other than the run of the mill "How are you liking recruitment?" "What's your major?" "Where are you from?"

Dylynne, Texas Christian University

Name: Dylynne Dodson

School: Texas Christian University

Sorority: Gamma Phi Beta

Instagram: therealdylpickle

Rush Q&A

How does rush week work at your school?

The PNMs (Potential New Members) wake up and get ready early for our morning meetings where we would get our schedules for the day. The first two days were simply open house in which we were in groups with about six Rho Gammas (members of a sorority that had temporarily disaffiliated from their chapter) that led us from house to house. Then at the end of the second day, each PNM selected 9 houses that she'd like to return to during the next round, which was philanthropy day. The next day, each PNM received a schedule to visit up to 9 chapters. After that day, each PNM would select up to 6 chapters to return to for skit day. A PNM would visit up to 6 chapters the next day and at the end of the day would rank up to 3 houses to visit during preference round. At the end of preference round, each PNM would rank the houses that she went to during preference round in order of which she'd like most to receive a bid from to the least. The next day, each remaining PNM would meet in the ballroom where each chapter had a table set up with Bid Day t-shirts. Each PNM was handed her Bid Card in a manila envelope which she had to sit on until everyone was told to open it. Then, once each PNM was allowed to open her Bid Card, she ran to the table that her new sisters were at, picked up a Bid Day shirt, and then ran outside to the Commons to meet the rest of her new sisters.

What was the most surprising part of rush to you?

The most surprising (and overwhelming) part of rush were all of the songs that the chapters sang as we walked in and out of the houses. They would be right in our faces scream-singing at the top of their lungs and then when the song stopped and each PNM walking in had been picked up, they would kneel on pillows in front of their PNM and talk to them. Each chapter room was crowded and incredibly loud. I don't know what I had been expecting, but it definitely wasn't that!! I was definitely taken by surprise when the doors to the first house opened!

What did you do to prepare before rush week?

Nothing. I'm the first in my family to go Greek and only a few of my friends are sisters in sororities, so I didn't know how to prepare before I went through recruitment. I bought a couple new dresses and shoes and hoped for the best!

Tell us a little about your sorority rush wardrobe essentials!

Definitely need at least one pair of super cute heels. Classy dresses are a must; I'm definitely a cute but conservative type of girl when it comes to my style. And if you're me, you wear your cowboy boots on Skit Day and just like each chapter member in the skits, you show off a little of your own personality. That's the biggest part of choosing a recruitment week wardrobe: making sure you're comfortable and that you are able to show your personality through your style choices.

Anna, University of Alabama

Name: Anna Klement

School: University of Alabama

Sorority: Pi Beta Phi

Instagram: annaklement

Rush Q&A

How does rush week work at your school?

It is 8 days total-- 2 days for open house, philanthropy and skit rounds and one day for pref. Each day you will cut a certain number of houses and they will more than likely cut you. On bid day, 2,000 or so girls gather in Bryant Denny Stadium to open their bids and find out which sorority they will be pledging! It's cutthroat but so worth it when you realize all of the friends and memories you are making on the other side. It's competitive simply because this is the best greek system in the country.

What was the most surprising part of rush to you?

The door songs! I don't know how the girls stay peppy all day, flipping their hair back and forth and clapping like cheerleaders. It's funny because their voices were gone by Thursday.

What did you do to prepare before rush week?

The most stressful part (aside from picking out outfits), was getting rec letters. It's all about who you know here and your connections, so these are really important since you can't talk to actives during the summer.

Tell us a little about your sorority rush wardrobe essentials!

Comfortable shoes! I can't stress that enough, it's not even the walking that's bad-- it's standing all day in the sun. So make sure you have plenty of water and a portable fan as well. Make sure your dresses are light weight and won't show sweat. (It's inevitable.) Other than that, bright or light colors are the best option and definitely wear what's flattering to your body type. It's most important to be confident walking into these houses. Yes, looks definitely do matter this week, but the girls understand it's 90 degrees outside as well.

Brianna, Ole Miss

RUSH Q&A

How does rush week work at your school?

We have a full week of rounds, Sunday to Sunday! You visit each chapter and throughout the week they make cuts. You get down to the final two houses that you like on preference night and, after you pref, you anxiously wait for the most exciting day of the week.... BID DAY!

What was the most surprising part of rush to you?

The amount of girls at Ole Miss that went through rush (over 2,000) and how competitive it actually was.

Tell us a little about your sorority rush wardrobe essentials.

There's really not a certain thing to wear like most people assume. Yes, in the South girls wear Lily and pearls, but if that's not your style you didn't have to wear it! I bought my outfits according to my personality. I bought a few pair of J. Crew chino shorts, a nice cocktail dress, and a few sundresses that best fit me and made me stand out in a positive way!

Biography

Name: Brianna Wise

School: Ole Miss

Sorority: Delta Gamma

Instagram: briemariewise

What did you do to prepare before rush week?

I bought all of my outfits ahead of time! I ironed each of them and hung them in order of the days I would be needing them. I also got all of my homework for two weeks done ahead of time and made sure I was caught up in each subject, so I didn't get behind. I kept calm and expected nothing out of the process, which I feel is very important. I had an open mind and I gained SO much throughout the entire experience.