Going through rush can be
intimidating, I completely understand. When I went through last year, I had
absolutely no idea what to expect other than a lot of small talk and possibly
some chanting.
Let’s just say recruitment at The
University of Texas will blow all of your expectations out of the water. If
you’re excited about the surprise of rush and don’t want me to spoil the
secrets, you should probably just skip right over this blog post. If you’re
anything like me, keep reading for a play-by-play of what to expect.
CONVOCATION
Convocation is the evening before
the first day of recruitment at Hogg Auditorium on campus. Cramming over 1,000
girls going through rush into the room is a bit of a stretch, but it’s
surprisingly fun and upbeat. You get to meet your recruitment counselors,
the other girls in your rush group, and you also receive your Open House
t-shirts and tote bag to carry your belongings in throughout the week. The
realization that recruitment is FINALLY here hits you pretty hard, and the
excitement is contagious!
OPEN HOUSE
The Open House round lasts for two
days and you will visit all 14 sorority houses. You will go from house to house
with your rush group, and stand in alphabetical order waiting for each party to
start. When the recruitment counselor knocks three times, you have to be
completely silent. Nothing happens for about three seconds until the house
explodes with cheering and girls banging on the walls as the door swings open.
The president of the sorority, as well as a few rush team members will step out
on the porch and welcome you to their house, and the house will again erupt in
chanting. As you walk through the door, you’ll be greeted and picked up by the
girl who will be talking to you that day. Every house does it differently, but
at Zeta, get ready for some hugs J
Once you complete the second day of open house, you’ll go to the
UTC (University Teaching Center) and write down the 10 houses you liked the
best! Helpful hint: Make sure to take notes after each house you visit to
remember who you talked to and what about when you’re ranking.
PHILANTHROPY
Philanthropy is another two-day-long
round. You’ll receive your schedule early in the morning, and can attend a
maximum of 10 parties. Your schedule won’t be the same as everyone in your Open
House group, so you’ll be going to each house on your own. If you can, try
mapping out your route from house to house ahead of time! Helpful hint: Try
your hardest not to miss the bus that goes from DG to Kappa/ Alpha Phi. Trust
me, it’s a long run in the summer heat. Also, avoid University Towers on
24th and Rio Grande at all costs. It’s filled with bored, freshman
boys looking for trouble.
Each house will have you complete a
small craft or participate in an activity that is centered around their
philanthropy. Many houses also prepare either a short presentation, skit or
dance to illustrate their efforts in raising awareness. This gives you an idea
about what each chapter does to give back to their philanthropy, and shows off
a bit of their personality as well!
This is also the first round that
the houses are allowed to offer refreshments other than water. You’ll typically
receive a refreshing, fruity drink (lots of fancy lemonades and Shirley
temples). Make sure to keep hydrated at each house you visit! You do not want
to be the girl that passes out from heat exhaustion. These two days are hectic,
but the best night is yet to come!
SKIT NIGHT
Skit night is by far everyone’s
favorite night of rush! You really get to see the personality of each chapter
in their 20-minute long skits. Each chapter is different, of course, but a few
jokes remain the same across the board. Many houses play on the stupidity of
fraternity boys, pop culture (Honey BooBoo and Hunger Games, when I went through)
and a few self- deprecating jokes. Tonight you should begin to get a feel for
where you belong. You may only visit a maximum of six houses on skit
night.
Now, the decorations on skit night
are outrageous! Overnight, each house seems to completely transform. Some
houses go with a movie theater theme, some go along with their skit, but let’s
just say Zeta’s decorations were by far my favorite! The elaborate costumes
will make you feel like you’re in an actual production. The food is probably
the best part, though. From popcorn and coke floats to elaborate chocolates and
fruity drinks - each chapter brings something different to the table
(literally).
By skit night, I had absolutely no
voice and my feet were banged and bruised from breaking in brand new heels. Hint:
break in your shoes beforehand...your feet will thank you! Also, bring
flip-flops or flats to quickly and comfortably walk from house to house.
Ultimately, just be sure to soak it all in! Skit night is a great
chance to relax your voice and enjoy the show.
PREFERENCE NIGHT
Preference night is the most serious
night of rush. Both active sorority members and potential new members wear
black dresses, so it may be difficult to tell PNMs apart from active members.
Each house will be decorated very elegantly, and at many houses you’ll receive
a note from a girl you’ve met in the past week. Most sororities present some
type of program with testimonials on how their sisterhood has transformed their
lives. Beware, lots of girls will be crying...you might even tear up yourself! The
best advice I ever got for pref night was to look around at the other PNMs and
talk to them while you’re on the porch. Do you get along well with them? Could
you see yourselves being friends down the road? These girls could potentially
be your sisters starting the very next day!
Don’t ever forget that as much as
you’re trying to impress us, we’re trying to impress you! Each sorority has the
same goal of finding the girls that will thrive in their chapter. Be yourself,
and you’ll end up exactly where you belong! Prepare yourself for long days and
nights, lots of running and lots of small talk. Recruitment is a long week, but
the sisterhood that comes as a result will last forever. We’re all so excited
to meet you in August! Go Zeta!
Zeta Love,
Regan Seckel PC '12
Recruitment Team
Recruitment Team
