Sorority recruitment can seem overwhelming and sometimes even scary. We all turn to Google to help us out, but when we do a Google search about recruitment, there are too many results to count. How do you know where to start? The best tip I can give you is to be confident when walking into sorority recruitment. So, how do you exude confidence during sorority recruitment? It all starts before recruitment. Don’t worry. I am here to help you gain confidence and get a bid to your dream sorority. I have created five babe tips just for you!
Note From Amanda: Thank you so much to Sloan of Getting The Bid for writing this wonderful guest piece. I found her blog recently on Pinterest, and I wanted to have her on The Happy Arkansan to share some actionable tips for those going through sorority recruitment in the coming months. Go check out her blog for some amazing sorority recruitment tips!
Babe Tip #1: Reach Out To Girls You Know Who Are In (Or Were In) Sororities
I am going to let you in on a little secret. Sorority members love to help girls going through recruitment. They want to see you get a bid to your dream sorority.
You need to reach out to them and ask them questions about recruitment.
For example, ask them:
- How the process works
- What to talk about, or what to wear
- To write you a recommendation letter
If you reach out to members, you will find out the inside scoop. You will get a real look at what sorority life is actually like.
What if you don’t know any sorority members? If you don’t know any members, reach out to your local Alumnae Panhellenic Association. This group is an organization for alumni of sororities. They will answer all your questions about sorority recruitment, and they will help you find women to write your recommendation letters.
Babe Tip #2: Make A List Of What You Want To Get Out Of A Sorority
This tip is major.
Everyone says to go into recruitment with an open mind, and I 100% agree. However, if you don’t know what the qualities you want in a sorority, you will make recruitment much more difficult.
Here is what happens when you don’t know the qualities you want in a sorority.
You will go to each sorority, and they will seem identical. You will talk about the same things. It’s going to be hard to vote on the sororities. More importantly, you can get lost in sorority recruitment. You will be like every other girl. You will not stand out from the crowd.
Here is what happens when you know the qualities you want in a sorority.
You will know what to ask the members and exactly how to answer the questions.
You Will Make Connections
Making connections is a critical part of recruitment.
I’m going to let you in on a little secret. The members are looking for friends. They are voting to keep girls that they could see themselves being friends with. How do you show you are friendship material? You can showcase this by making connections.
During each round, you should try and connect with at least one member in each sorority. Find a commonality with a member and talk about it. Are you passionate about the same things? Did you both play the same sport? Do you both love fashion? Forming connections will help you get a bid to your dream sorority.
Bonus Babe Tip: You Can Talk About More Than Sorority Life
You don’t have to only talk about the sorority. Talk about the things you want to talk about. The members want to find out more about you. The most important thing to do is show off the best version of you. That’s what the members want to see. The real you!
Babe Tip #3: Practice Small Talk
Recruitment is essentially all small talk. You will talk to one member for a couple of minutes and then be passed off to meet another member. You have to be comfortable talking to strangers and opening up to them. The members will ask you about your life and what you want to do in college.
Let’s be real. Talking (and being vulnerable) to strangers can be hard, so you need to practice small talk. When you are practicing small talk, you will be proving to yourself that you can talk to anyone. Don’t let your mind trick you into thinking you are not good at meeting new people.
Here Is How To Practice
A couple of weeks before recruitment starts, go out and talk to random people. Talk to people in line at Starbucks or strangers at a party. The first couple of conversations might be awkward but keep going. You will be a pro before you know it. Look at Channing Tatum in “She’s the Man,” he practiced small talk with Amanda Bynes and got the girl of his dreams.
Babe Tip #4: Don’t Think You Have An Unfair Advantage
No one has a leg up in sorority recruitment.
Legacies used to be basically guaranteed a bid.
However, times have changed. No one is guaranteed a bid anymore. Everyone is on a level playing field.
So, what are the members looking for in a potential member? They look for girls who:
- They can be friends with.
- Care about their academics.
- Are philanthropic.
- Are devoted and willing to stay for the next three or four years.
It’s important to bring up these topics during your conversations. It’s okay to brag about yourself. You have done some amazing things throughout high school (and, or college). You should talk about them!
Babe Tip #5: Embrace Your Inner It Girl
Embracing your inner It Girl is owning who you are.
It’s about:
- Sharing your story.
- Loving every aspect of you.
- Looking in the mirror and loving who you see.
- Embracing your strengths and using them to stand out.
- Wearing what you want.
You definitely should not try and fit an image because, guess what, sororities are diverse. There are girls from all walks of life in each sorority.
Love yourself, and don’t let anyone get in your way of finding your dream sorority!
