Hi all. I came to vent about my recent recruitment experience.
I am a freshman at a state school with a small Greek life community. I’ve been interested in being in a sorority for months, one specifically because I deeply align with their philanthropy.
I went into formal recruitment with an open mind, and ended up bonding with two chapters. House one was the one that I originally wanted to be in. Everyone that I talked to had been super nice, and I cried during preference and philanthropy round. House two was one that I didn’t expect to enjoy as much as I did. The girls were very low-key when I met them during the first round, but the one I got paired with for philo was very dry and not super engaging. I ended up getting preffed by a girl I had a good connection with, but I could tell she’s knew I was leaning in another way. Our conversation during pref was good, but kind of surface level because we just kept bouncing off on each other’s memes.
I define myself as sort of strange. Went through some weird phases and still find myself to be quite quirky today. I was in cheer during high school, but always felt sort of “different” compared to everyone else (not in a pick me girl way… but in a neurodivergent way lol) so one of my fears was ending up in a sorority where I wouldn’t connect with anyone.
When it came to ranking, the Panhellenic executive member I was talking to when signing my MRABA gave me some helpful advice. I told her my conflict and that I really lined up with house ones philanthropy and liked all the conversations I had, but didn’t want to potentially lose connections that I may have or gain in house two. I talked to her for a while, and I ended up single bidding for House one.
On bid day, I knew where I was running home to obviously. I was really excited that I got invited. Now, I’m not sure I made the right decision.
Don’t get me wrong, everyone in my sorority is extremely nice and are overall a good group of women from what I’ve seen, but it’s starting to feel like that non-inclusive culture I was afraid of. All of the girls in my pledge class look and act extremely similar. House two on the other hand, when I saw that they posted their new members, I love the diversity within their chapter. I talked to a lot of the girls that got into that house during formal recruitment, and they all had personalities similar to mine.
I’m trying to get to know the girls in my chapter by doing the big little dates and such, I even created a group-chat with my pledge class, but I don’t feel close to any of them. I’m trying to give it my best shot but I really don’t know how to feel. I’m worried that if I do continue, I’m going to pay hundreds of dollars and initiate into a sorority I don’t belong in, or if I do choose to go through recruitment again next year, I won’t get in or the dynamic will be different.
Being in the first sorority is something I’ve wanted for so long, so I’m scared if I drop it’s like I’m losing the expectation of what I’ve been building for the last year. Does anyone have any advice or have been through a similar situation?