Why I Went Greek: Alyssa Conti from Alpha Chi Omega

School: Arizona State University

Sorority: Alpha Chi Omega

Year You Pledged: Freshman

Year Initiated: 2006

What did you hear about sororities before you went through recruitment?

I heard sororities at ASU were all about partying, however, it should be noted that that's the general stereotype about ASU as a whole. People told me I would be "buying my friends."

How much of it was true?

Well, we definitely had our fair share of fun! It was definitely not all about the party though, we participated in a lot of charitable work as well. As far as "buying my friends" .... That's just a silly thing people like to say. I met two of my best friends through AXO.

What encouraged you to go through recruitment?

I can't say that anything in particular encouraged me. I had my mind set from the beginning.

Who was the first person you fell in love with in your house?

A girl named Drew. She was super sweet and funny. I felt instantly comfortable.

Favorite sorority moment?

I can't say there is one particular moment that I would call my favorite. But, I did love the date parties!

If you could go back in time, what would you want to relive in your sorority?

The first moment I met my best friends. It's crazy to think it's been almost 10 years since that time.

Any advice for anyone going through recruitment?

Be yourself and trust your instinct.

Thanks for sharing your sorority experience, Alyssa!  If you have questions for Alyssa leave them in the comment's section below!

Why I Went Greek: Ugochi Nwaneri From Alpha Kappa Alpha

School: Eastern Michigan University
Sorority: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
Year You Pledged: Junior
Year Initiated: Spring 2015

What did you hear about sororities before you went through recruitment? 

I heard both positive and negative things about sororities. Obviously the positives helped me determine whether or not it was the right fit for me. I heard non appealing things such as "you're paying for fake sisters" "sorority girls party and don't get work done." On the other hand, I also heard "you build life long relationships with your sisters" "sororities participate in a lot of community service" "there are endless opportunities to network" "joining a sorority is a great way to help build your community" ... and the list goes on.


How much of it was true?

I have been fortunate to become a member of a phenomenal sorority of which I have had no negative experiences. I am blessed to be surrounded by likeminded women that achieve their academic goals while balancing extracurriculars, family and rendering service to all man kind.


What encouraged you to go through recruitment? 

After learning about all values of my sorority that are so dear to me, I stayed motivated and encouraged to get through the process. In addition, my play grandmother has been a member of my sorority since 1971. All of her involvement within the sorority as I've seen since the time I've met her not only sparked an interest but was a reminder of the greatness that was yet to come.


Favorite sorority moment?

My favorite sorority moment was the day of my probate. I was so ecstatic for the world to see that my sisters and I are now women of Alpha Kappa Sorority, Incorporated. After we finished exams, our day was spent getting "fleeky" for our show. Sorority sisters that pledged before us traveled to see us. We were surrounded with loving women that helped pave the way for us and who are the epitome of true sisters. I will never forget the day of my probate- singing and marching through campus with our gorgeous green skirts and pretty pink heels.

Any advice for anyone going through recruitment?

My advice for prospective members is to go to events pertaining to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and of course, get to know the members. I would also familiarize yourself with the criteria of becoming a member.

Do you have questions for Ugochi? Leave them in the comments below!

Sorority Recruitment Q&A

Wow, we seriously cannot believe that recruitment is around the corner for so many of you! We have received a lot of personal messages from women eager to learn more about joining a sorority so we decided to provide you all who are interested in going through recruitment with a little Q&A. Find the questions and answers below. If your question wasn't answered, then please leave your question(s) in the comment's section below!

Q: When is sorority recruitment?
A: It all depends on what school you're attending! Typically, recruitment is hosted in the summer time at the beginning of school (few sororities also do it in the spring). Be sure to check your college or university's main website and locate where the sororities are categorized to identify when recruitment is. You can also try to find the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) or National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) sites to get that information.

Q: What is the difference between National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) and National Panhellenic Conference (NPC)
A: The National Pan-Hellenic Council is comprised of nine of the historically African American, international Greek-lettered fraternities and sororities. These frats and sororities are also collaboratively referred to as the "Divine 9".

The National Panhellenic Conference encompasses 26 (inter)national women's sororities.

Q: What does "pledge" mean?
A: Pledging a sorority means committing to getting to know a particular sorority. Being initiated would make you an official sister/member of that sorority.

Q: How does recruitment work?
A: Depending on what type of sorority you choose to pledge (an NPHC sorority or an NPC sorority) most of the sororities host a formal 3-4 day recruitment process where you get to visit each sorority, talk to the girls, and rank which sororities you would like to learn more about and revisit. Eventually, you narrow it down to 2-3 sororities and you attend an exclusive night with each potential sorority before you make your final decision. The following day, typically called Bid Day, you find out which house wanted you (and you wanted them) It's the best feeling ever.

Q: Should I go through recruitment my Freshman year or my Sophomore year?
A: We can only speak from our experience and say that going through recruitment our Freshman years was the greatest decision we could have ever made. It simplified the struggle to find friends in such a big college world because we already had so many friends to choose from making the memories of our first year in college nothing short of amazing. On the other hand, we know several women who opted to do it their second year in college and they too had a blast gaining new lifelong friends. Ultimately, it's up to you!

Q: Is joining a sorority super expensive?
A: Joining a sorority will certainly cost money to maintain, no different than the monthly payments you make for the other bagillion things you love. There is no amount of money that could pay for the amount of friendships and memories that you will develop during and after your time as a soror. In any case, properly budgeting will make it possible for you to actively participate. Many sororities can also offer you payment plan options so don't let money get in your way of making lifelong friendships.

What other questions and comments do you have about recruitment? Leave your questions in the comments below!

Why I Went Greek {Sakura}

This week we wanted to highlight each of our individual stories on why we went Greek in lieu of many of you going through recruitment right now. First up, Sakura!

6 years ago, I made the best life-changing decision I have ever made and yup, you guessed it… I went Greek.  To be honest, Greek life was a complete mystery to me.  None of my family members were ever apart of Greek life and my hometown college, University of Nevada-Reno, wasn’t very big in Greek life at the time- so I really had no idea what it was all about.  I knew that Greek life can be negatively stereotyped at times, but I knew that there was so much more to it and I had to find out for myself.

I grew up in a small town in Northern Nevada where everyone knows everyone, so when I decided to go to Arizona State University, I knew that everything was about to change.  As I made my move to Arizona knowing no one, I was a little nervous as to how I would make these next four years in Arizona my new “home”.  I was an out-of-state student with a random roommate in an apartment, because I was not “comfortable” living in the dorms (huge mistake).  All I can say is that I was eager to find new friends and fill that hole in my heart of not being with my family and my childhood friends.   

I remember the first week of my freshman year like it was yesterday- getting lost on campus, walking from class to class by myself, and eating alone at the Memorial Union.  It was awful, but little did I know that it was all a blessing in disguise.  During my first “miserable” week, I had my first encounter with what being in a sorority was all about.  The first week of school at Arizona State University is promo week for Greek life and all the sorority women are wearing matching outfits with their letters on it.  I easily recognized which girls were apart of Greek life and saw these sorority women walking from class to class together, eating lunch, and hanging out between classes.   It was everything I wanted.  I registered for recruitment that day and was looking forward to that following weekend for recruitment to start. 

Looking back, recruitment was sort of a blur- it was a whirlwind to say the least.  I remember being torn by two sororities, but I thought long-term.  I loved the women in both of these sororities, but one of them seemed like the typical “fun” sorority, while the other seemed a little more… me.   I really wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do- do I go outside of my comfort zone or do I stay in my comfort zone?

I asked myself…

Which group of women could I rely on when something bad happens?

Who will be there for me?

Who will I feel more comfortable with?

Those three questions lead me to my new home, my new friends, and my new family.  I joined the sorority that was for me and nothing else. It has been 6 years since I became a part of Greek life and I wouldn’t be where I am today without it.  I have met the smartest, most hardworking women and they have inspired me in so many different ways.  Without being apart of a sorority, I never would have met my sisters and now business partners to start The Sorority Secrets either.

The only thing I can advise to those going through recruitment is choose the house for you- not because you’re a legacy, your friends’ decision, or the reputation of the house.  Do it for you and everything else will fall into place!

xoxo,

Sakura

10 Essentials: Recruitment Videos

The trend of recruitment videos is on the rise.  Chapters nationwide are taking part, and creating videos to share in the excitement of recruitment season!  They can be a great tool for recruitment as well.  We posted some favorites a while back, to check out for inspiration!  Our first video has some great ideas too.  But what exactly makes for a great recruitment video?  What tips can your chapter use to set your video apart from the rest?  We've compiled 10 essentials to help make your video the best it can be!

1. Music

Music sets the tone and mood for the video.  Go with something energetic to amp it up (check out our Summer Playlist & EDM Workout Playlist for ideas), and infuse it with more mellow tracks to add emphasis to sentimental parts.  Your videographer can often mix songs together to do this, to transition from mood to mood.  Adding a small break in the video (such as fading the screen to white and then coming back on again) can help to make the shift in moods easier between segments.  Or, pick one song the whole way through and stick with it.  There are plenty of great songs out there, so you can pick one that's uniquely yours!  Pay attention to the lyrics in the songs to make sure they fit the tone you're trying to get across.  At the end of the video, you can add credits to the songs you chose.

2. Lighting

Lighting is everything!  If you're going for outdoor shots, lighting is best either in the morning or mid to late afternoon.  Direct sunlight during lunchtime hours (from 11:30am until about 1:30pm) can be harsh, and can create unwanted shadows.  Plus, you don't want to be squinting from the sun!  Shoot outdoors during prime lighting hours, and you will capture the natural "glow" that makes everything look magical.

3. Showcase Your Sisterhood

Who are you?  What is your chapter all about?  Be sure to include this in the video, and capture the essence of who you are as a sisterhood.  Being in a sorority isn't all about perfectly staged glamour shots either, so be sure to include shots of simply being yourselves-- who you are on a daily basis.  This adds personality and authenticity to the video.

4. Add Interviews

Adding a message from the president or recruitment chair, even a few sentences, makes for a personal touch.  This can be accomplished as either a voiceover (paired with different footage while she's talking) or as a direct interview where she's seen talking to the camera.  She can also look slightly away from the camera, to give the look like she's talking to someone else.  Not all of the interview needs to be shown; your videographer can edit the interview to include the best highlights.  Other chapter members can also be interviewed, and pairing sisters off (such as a big/little duo) to show their personalities is great too!  The background music can fade down during these parts, so it's not completely off while you listen to people speaking.

5. Tidy Up

If you're shooting inside your chapter house, make sure things are looking as clean as possible.  Be mindful of any eyesores (such as garbage cans, trash, or messy piles) laying around, so you can move them out of the shots.  Think of the little details too, such as clean nails.  Not everyone needs to run out and get a manicure, but make sure that your nails are dirt-free!

6. Get Creative

Videos are a great time to show your creativity.  Think of shots that are outside the box... not everything needs to show smiling faces.  Think close up "moving picture" shots; such as things hanging on the walls, t-shirts you have created, accessories, arms linked together from behind, you get the idea.  You can also infuse black & white footage, or "Instagram" like filters or colors in certain scenes.  Put together some sort of storyline, so the video has a clear concept from beginning to end.

7. Have Fun & Be Yourself

Capture the moments, get candid.  Be silly.  Adding some "behind the scenes" footage or "bloopers" can add an element of fun to the video!  It shows who you are, and that you don't take yourselves too seriously.  

8. Smile

Laugh, smile, feel the happiness that is your sisterhood.  There's nothing like true happiness... and when it's captured on film, it's pure magic.

9. Get Styled

Plan out any looks or outfits prior to shooting the video, so you're not racing to put outfits together last minute.  Go for a color scheme, or similar accessories.  Not everyone needs to look like an identical cookie cutter either... your sisters can showcase their own personal style, while still looking visually cohesive with the group in the video.  Take a bohemian theme for example; flowy tops, jeans, shorts, maxi dresses, kimonos, floppy hats, turquoise jewelry, flower crowns... it all works!

10. Time It Right

Videos should be just long enough, but not too long.  Keep it under 3-4 minutes, so you keep your audience's attention.  Even better, keep it under 2 minutes, and you'll leave your viewers wanting more!  Edit the scenes, so you're left with only the footage that truly is the best.

Do you have any tips for a great recruitment video?  Share with us below, and also be sure to share your videos with us as well!  We would love to see!

Recruitment Conversation All-Star Tips

{photo credit: ASU Delta Gamma}

It's the most wonderful time of the year!  Nope, not the holidays... recruitment!  That's right, Bid Day and meeting the new additions to your chapter are right around the corner.  But before that can happen, recruitment needs to happen first.  It's time to get dressed up, sing songs, possibly lose your voice, and spend a few long days & nights with your sisters!  In all seriousness, recruitment really is our favorite time of the school year.  And, we can't forget what's most important here... the potential new members (aka PNMs).  Yes, it can sometimes feel like friendship speed-dating.  But, you're on a mission to make a connection; you're on a mission to find your new sisters.  Keep our key tips in mind, and you'll feel like a recruitment conversation all-star in no time!

#1: Make a Connection
When talking to the PNMs, your goal is to get to know them.  Make a connection!  Find out who she is, beyond just her major and what hometown she's from.  What are her interests?  What's her group of friends like from high school or back home?  What activities or hobbies does she enjoy?  Share a laugh together, break the ice.  Let her feel invited to share more about herself with you.  Tell a personal story, and encourage her to do the same.  Get to know who she is beyond the surface.  Your warm & friendly attitude will help for both of you to feel more comfortable and natural, in a setting that can sometimes feel otherwise.

#2: Ask Thoughtful Questions
Ask open-ended questions.  The PNM's replies should require more than simply a "yes" or "no" answer.  Take that question, and roll with it!  Lead it into a conversation.  Talk to her like a friend, where you each share your thoughts.  Nobody likes to have questions fired at them (which feels more like an interview) so talk about each topic a little before moving on to the next.  If you can tell she's not enthusiastic about the topic at hand, be prepared to lead into something else.  Find common ground.  Don't focus on "selling" your sorority too much; focus more on getting to know her.

#3: Topics, Topics, Topics
Okay, you're meeting a girl you have never met before, and you have to talk to her for anywhere from 5-20 minutes straight.  Piece of cake!  Have an idea of what you want to talk about, and where to take the conversation if it needs some help.  You want to have the best conversation possible with each PNM, to get to know her without the little factors (like feeling nervous) getting in the way.  Since you've been through recruitment before, you be the pro & guide her.  Here are a few favorite topics:

• Ask her where she's from.  Lead it into a conversation about where she's traveled to, or any other places she has lived over the years.
• Ask her how recruitment is going, how she's liking it so far.  What made her want to join a sorority?  You can share how you felt going through recruitment (keep it positive & neutral), and why you wanted to join a sorority.
• What made her want to come to your university?
• Is she living in a dorm?  An apartment?  Does she have a roommate?  Ask her how she likes it.  If you lived in a similar dorm or apartment, you can share about it too.  If the topic goes well, you can ask her how she decorated it!
• What are her friends like back home, or from before coming to college?  This can lead into talking about how your organization can provide great friendships.  Make it personal-- mention the friendships you have made, and what they mean to you.  And in general, friends are a safer topic than family.  
• Did she play any sports or do any activities in high school?  Talk about it.  For example, if she played volleyball & your chapter has an intramural team, she would probably love to know!
• A sincere compliment on something she's wearing is great when you truly mean it.  Be mindful to not talk about shopping/clothes for too long, and lead into another topic that will help you get to know each other in a more meaningful way.  
• A good icebreaker: favorite places to eat around campus.  
• The "what's your major?" question is bound to happen, but try to not rely on it too much (especially after the first day of recruitment, she's been asked many times by then).  Your topics should be a well-rounded balance of school, fun, and friends.  After all, your organization is well-rounded too!
• Partying, guys, bad words, etc... avoid them, as you probably already know!  Gracefully change the topic if it gets brought up.  There is so much more to friendship & sisterhood other than these topics, and that's what you're trying to get to know about her in a short amount of time.
• Is the PNM funny & quirky, and you're funny & quirky?  By all means, be yourself!  Keep the conversation appropriate, and you're golden.

#4: Find A Happy Medium
Recruitment conversation is all about balancing happy mediums.  Talk about her, talk about you/your organization, laugh together, get sentimental together.  In other words, don't make it all about you or take yourself too seriously.  Stay away from the negative, focus on the positive.  Yes, complaining that your feet hurt counts as negative; be present in the moment of your conversation, instead of worrying about your feet.  Have fun and be natural, and follow your chapter's guidelines as well.  Find a balance, like the conversational flow between two friends, which brings us to our next tip...

#5: Be Friends
Once you break the ice, treat the conversation as you would with an old friend.  Give the PNM your genuine undivided attention.  Let the topics flow easily.  Be authentic.  Connect with good eye contact.  This will help both of you to be your true selves, and will also help both of you decide if your chapter is her home sweet home.

#6: Be Kind
No matter what, there's one rule of thumb-- be kind.  Be polite, be respectful, be gracious.  Treat each PNM you meet with genuine kindness, and you're already an all-star.  Great conversations make you & your house stand out, and leave a positive lasting impression for everyone!

Sure, recruitment can be stressful at times.  But more than anything, remember how much fun it is too!  It's an honor to recruit the new members that will carry on your chapter's legacy long after your graduation.  Enjoy the little moments, and each conversation.  You'll be celebrating with your new members at Bid Day before you know it!

(p.s. don't forget to check out our Master List of Bid Day Themes!)

Spring Recruitment Tips

As winter break begins to come to a close and those of us in the Northeast prepare to trade in our fur coats and Uggs for flip flops and bikinis-a record number of girls are heading back early to take part in the amazing process that is Spring Sorority Recruitment. Unlike most schools, spring rush at the University of Miami is our pride and joy as most sororities are not allowed to recruit during the fall semester. I can remember it like it was yesterday-anxiously texting my best friend pictures of possible outfits, reading hours on end about the different reputations of the sororities at the University, and nervously biting my nails as everyone in my Rho Gamma group waited outside our first party. This spring will mark the two year anniversary since my freshman recruiting days and now that I am on the other side of things, I’d like to offer a few spring recruitment tips that I wish someone would have told me. 

As silly as this tip may sound, I couldn’t even begin to tell you the number of times I would start breathing frantically before, during, and after each recruitment party I attended. As hard as it may seem, relaxation is the key. If you go into recruitment psyching yourself out, chances are you will miss out on the opportunity to truly connect with the sorority women who have worked tirelessly to ensure that this spring recruitment is one of the best. Before entering a party, close your eyes and slowly begin to countdown from five while picturing yourself as a tight roll of paper that is slowly beginning to unwind. By the time you reach zero, you should feel calm and collected. Plus, believe it or not-the ladies on the other side of that door are just as nervous as you are! So walk into that sorority suite with confidence and in turn, you will project confidence and ease everyone’s nerves-including your own!

Although it is not explicitly stated in the dress code they give you prior to recruitment, most girls choose to wear their best pair of heels during the different days of recruitment. While those cute Jessica Simpson’s look amazing on and compliment your outfit, your feet will secretly be dying inside by the time you reach your third party. Standing up for six hours at a time does begin to take a toll-at least it did for me. After a while you start focusing on the pain shooting up the arch of your foot and begin concentrating more and more on walking then at the conversation at hand. Enter my lifesaver: Dr. Scholls for Her! This amazing brand offers a high heel insole that, when put in each heel, offer a whole new world of comfort. What is even better is that you can purchase this product at your local CVS or Walgreens! If you haven’t been introduced to the wonderfulness that is this product-I definitely recommend it; your feet will thank you later! 

By definition, a Rho Gamma is a sorority woman who has chosen to disaffiliate herself during recruitment so that she can help facilitate the recruiting process, answer any questions you might have and ultimately aid you in the decision of choosing what sorority is best for you.  During recruitment, my Rho Gamma was like a goddess-she was on call 24/7 in the event we wanted approval for outfits and was so easy going and understanding that talking to her was like talking to a childhood friend. While not all Rho Gamma’s will be like the one I was fortunate to be paired with-they are all there willing, ready, and able to help should you let them. A Rho Gamma has to apply and be interviewed before being chosen so rest assured that you are in great hands as seen by Panhellenic Council. While it may seem strange to open up to a complete stranger about what you’re feeling about certain sororities-your Rho Gamma is there to listen to you and, if you allow her, guide you to the right sorority! 

While the urge to be as prepared as you can for recruitment should and will be there, venturing onto sorority ranking sites such as www.greekrank.com is not the way to quench your curious mind. While it may be nice to see what other people are saying about the different sororities you are interested in, you have to keep in mind that most posts are outdated, can be written by the sorority women themselves, and cannot even begin to accurately sum up the heart and soul of every chapter. If you truly are interested in a sorority and want to know more, try visiting their official website, Instagram, Twitter, or  their Facebook page. Each forum is an excellent way to gauge just what that particular sorority is all about! 

You’ve chosen the most perfect outfits, you’ve done your (correct!) research, and you’ve watched any and all movies that have to do with sorority recruitment. Whatever the case may be, the one and perhaps most important tip I can leave you with is to have fun! The way recruitment at Miami and many other schools are set up is a system that both benefits you and the sororities. It is designed so that in the end, you do end up where you truly belong. If you have faith in the system like I did, then I can guarantee the rest of your time in college will be spent with the best group of women-whatever letters they may wear! So have fun, laugh a little, and use everything the Panhellenic Council and this article have given you. You only go through recruitment once-make it the best it can possibly be! 

See you ladies all on Bid Day! 

Our Favorite Recruitment Videos

We're feeling totally inspired by all of the creative recruitment videos out there.  Some are sentimental, a lot of them are hilarious, and others just flat out make us want to dance!  All in all, these videos are a celebration of the sisterhood that we love so dearly.  It's clear that chapters all across the country have a lot of talent when it comes to putting together clever videos.  Plus, the music selection is pretty amazing too!

We browsed through YouTube and hand picked some of our all-time favorite Go Greek videos around.  Feast your eyes... these are a must watch!  In no particular order, here we go:

1. Chi Omega, University of South Carolina
To start, we love all of the sisterhood going on in this video!  The laughs, the smiles, and beautiful pictures capture the spirit of this chapter.  What really makes this video special is the heartfelt interviews sprinkled throughout, describing various chapter members' personal experiences in Chi Omega.  And just wait until you see all of the positive energy in the last minute of the video... we're blown away!

2. Kappa Kappa Gamma, Baylor University
This one has been out since 2011... but we still can't get enough!  These girls can dance, rhyme, and bust a move.  Honestly, how brilliant are these lyrics?!  This song is so catchy, we're probably going to be singing it all day long.

3. Kappa Alpha Theta, Indiana University
Just the first few seconds in, we were sold... their house mom might be the most adorable person ever.  We love the originality of this song!  Plus, the shots of everyone letting loose and letting their personalities shine can't be beat.  Totally an authentic-feeling peek into the lives of these fun ladies!

4. Alpha Phi, University of Missouri
The intro to this video is all about the candids; the singing & dancing in the bathroom is totally something we would do!  About halfway in, we love the change in tone, when the ladies describe "what Alpha Phi is."  A safe haven, living with my best friends, and future bridesmaids... many of the things that we cherish as Greeks!

5. Delta Gamma, Florida State University
This video. WOW.  We laughed, we cried, we got goosebumps.  And when we say we cried, we mean it... TSS Co-Founder Ali definitely shed some tears when the girls ran to each other after receiving their bids.  The spirit of bid day, captured on film!

And there you have it, some of our favorite Recruitment videos of all time!  No matter what the letter, we truly are all Greek together.  Does your chapter have an awesome recruitment video that we need to see?  Share it with us below, we would love to watch!

Diversity is Cool

The New York Times

Most of the time, we try to avoid controversial stories in an effort to promote positivity on our site. However, this specific story in The New York Times was shocking to us and really caught our attention, hitting home for us as sorority women. As a result, we wanted to share with you, our readers, this story and our thoughts about it in an effort to bring to light a topic that can be overlooked: discrimination.

Recruitment is one of the most amazing parts about being in a sorority because you get to bond with your sisters and share in the excitement of bringing new sisters on board. Each woman that walks through the door into your house is a potential lifelong sister. There are so many beautiful women that you meet throughout the experience, but only a few are the "perfect fit". But, what is the perfect fit? For us, it is that women's personality, academic accomplishments, community service efforts, and overall presence that screams "That's who I want to PREF!" With all of these factors in mind, we were sad to hear that for one school, the color of a women's skin takes precedent.

As you can see, we come from different backgrounds, representing different races and cultures.  However, despite our differences in appearance, we share a sisterly bond that is deeper than the pigment of our skin. Being able to relate to another human being is the greatest gift to have and it can be shared among all races, faces, shapes, and sizes.

Whether you're participating in recruitment or being introduced to a new person in your friendship circle, we encourage you to not lead with race, but lead with an open mind. You never know who could be your next best friend or lifelong sister.

Click here to read the full article in The New York Times.

Recruitment Wardrobe Do's!

With recruitment just around the corner, a lot of you may be asking yourself “what do I wear?!” Keep calm; we are here to help! While sorority recruitment is so much more than the volume of your hair or what designer you are wearing, it is still important to care about your appearance and be confident, because a first impression can be a lasting impression. I have come up with some tips to help you put your best self forward and stand out in a crowd. 

Your outfit can say a lot about your personality. In any situation where you do not know what to expect, or you are meeting hundreds of people for the first time, it is best to keep it classy with higher necklines and longer hems. This Laundry dress is classic and colorful. The jersey material is soft and comfortable, and won’t wrinkle so you stay looking put together all day!

You know that gorgeous statement necklace or cute headband that you always get complimented on? Accessorize! Adding a pop or color or statement piece to your outfit is a great way to make yourself stand apart and be unique. It can also be a great conversation starter because everyone will want to know where you got it! This aqua statement necklace or pink Tory Burch flats are sure to be remembered.

Although recruitment is so much fun, it is also a very long and exhausting process. We have all had those nights where our new heels are killing us and we are asking everyone we know if they have a band-aid for our blisters; comfy footwear is key! Heels are great, but make sure that you can walk and stand in them all day! A wedge can provide more support and adding Dr. Scholl’s Foot Cushions to any high heels can be life changing. I would recommend breaking new heels in around the house!

It’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed. Don’t be afraid to get dressed up, especially for the last day of recruitment! Think like you're meeting your boyfriend’s parents or going to a job interview. That special outfit or your favorite cocktail dress? Wear it! I love this fun and flirty Parker dress. It is elegant and classy, but still unique and memorable.

The most important thing to keep in mind is to be yourself and make sure that you are comfortable in any outfit before walking out the door. When you are comfortable, you are confident!

Wishing you all the best of luck in recruitment!