This document provides tips and encouragement for women going through formal sorority recruitment. The tips emphasize being yourself, having an open mind, avoiding focusing on stereotypes or popularity, and choosing a sorority where you feel you belong and can be your authentic self. Several contributors share their own positive recruitment experiences to encourage recruits that the right sorority will love them for who they are.

1. Tips and Encouragement
For Formal Recruitment
From: Sorority Women To You!

2. Sarah O.
Just be yourself! Like I said, what is meant to be will
be.

3. Hailey S.
Don't hate the players hate the game: girls have to get
cut, that's how recruitment works, your life is not over
because you were dropped from your #1 pick second
round (the majority of the time its better that you didn't
end up there anyway). You have to remember that you
want a bid from a sorority where they are DYING to have
you- they will see in you the same things you see in yourself;
beyond the hype and rumor-mill-inspired reputations your
home is out there so put on a smile and BE YOURSELF!

4. Emily J.
Formal recruitment is a very over-whelming
process but it is so rewarding to have a great
sisterhood in the end and a home away from
home. Just wear a smile and be yourself!

5. Lindsey M.
Take time to reflect before and after each round.
Be yourself and a house will fall in love with you!

6. Kelsey J.
Be you, don't be anyone else!! Don't try and
pretend to be someone you're not.

7. Kathleen M.
Every chapter has a stereotype, try to block out
everything that you have heard and walk through
the front doors with an open mind. Just because
one person may have a negative opinion about a
chapter doesn't mean that they are that way.

8. Taylor H.
Find your home, get some sleep, eat BEFORE
recruitment, and have fun! Some of these women
will be your sisters at the end of recruitment!

9. Megan M.
Your letters do not define you, You define your
letters.
I went from being dropped by every house except
for one during Recruitment to becoming
Panhellenic New Member of the Year. Do not let
anything hold you back from joining this
community!

10. Courtney B.
Don't focus on where your friends liked or what the
recruitment group thinks is the "best" house, it's
about what you like. Remember these girls who
you consider to be your best friends at school,
you've only known for a few weeks. Choosing a
sorority is a lifelong decision and commitment and
it will shape who you are.

11. Madison M.
As I've gotten older, I have realized that a sorority
made my entire college experience super enjoyable,
and even though it is a huge part of my life, it's
important to remember why you're at school. It's not
to be Greek. Don't get distracted and major in sorority
and minor in nursing or business or journalism or
whatever you've chosen. Find your balance once you
get your bid. Have fun! Don't forget to, but you can't
have fun once you're academically dismissed from
school. (Haha)

12. Kelsey B.
Go into recruitment with an open mind. Don't use
other people's opinions of the sororities. Use your
best judgment and chose a sorority where you
feel like you can be yourself. Who cares if they are
labeled as the partiers, nerds, or preppy brats? If
you feel like you belong there, that's most likely
where you belong.

13. Hannah E.
Always stay positive
Don't be afraid to be open
Everyone is nervous
They'll love you

14. Alyssa P.
Be yourself and everything happens for a reason!
Worst case, you can rush again the next year but
there is always somewhere you will belong even if
it's not the "hottest house on campus" or the super
popular girls that you envisioned yourself at. You
may even be glad you don't get your first choice -
I sure was!

15. Emily M.
CALM DOWN!!!! We're all nervous. This is tough
from both sides. But, its also thrilling, hilarious,
engaging, eye-opening, humbling, and loving. It
will go by entirely too fast, so have fun with your
friends and hold on. Before you know it, you'll be
Greek!

16. Brittany H.
Try to avoid talking about boys/booze/parties during any of your
recruitment rounds. Even if a sister talks about any of those subjects, try
to gently steer her away from it without giving any info. These are
subjects that raised a red flag to us when choosing new members. We
wanted girls interested in sisterhood and philanthropy, not those
interested in alcohol and fraternity boys.
Also, don't wear an outfit that you're unsure of. You won't feel as
confident and it will probably show that you're a little unsure of
yourself. Club attire is a huge no-no! I promise they won't be interested
in seeing your *ahem* assets, but rather, they'll want to see your
personality shine through your outfit choice! If all of their attention is on
your clothes, they may not pay enough attention to your conversation,
which means you may be forgotten (and no one wants that!).

17. Haley L.
Have fun and enjoy every minute of it! It will be
over in a blink!

18. Christina D.
Be yourself. Do not give off this cool image if you are trying very hard
to get into a certain house. If you cannot be yourself during
recruitment, how can you be yourself for the next years with these
sisters. If you love Harry Potter, bring that up in interest conversations.
Let them know what you like to do so they can find something to
relate to. It will make a very easy connection.
Don’t be upset if you don’t get your top houses. There are so many girls
who don’t get the houses they want and end up dropping out of rush
altogether. This is a huge mistake because not everyone can get in the
“hot houses” but there are other great houses too. There is no such
thing as a "hot house" when it comes to a strong sisterhood bond.
Remember, those girls asked you back because they see their sorority
values and strong potential in you.

19. Amber D.
Be yourself, everyone is nervous.

20. Briana W.
Don't be afraid. Breathe and relax. Don't try to
end up in one chapter just because your friends
like that one the best. You will still be friends even if
you're in completely different chapters. Go where
you think you feel the most comfortable and at
home.

21. Cassidy C.
Be yourself. One sorority might be "the popular
one" that all the girls want during recruitment, but
if they don't align with you morally, you will not
enjoy the full experience.