Some of my best friends in high school were a few years older than me, so when they got to college all I ever heard about was how much they loved being involved in Greek Life. It got me really excited to participate when I got to college too. There are many reasons I chose to attend Indiana, but everything I read said they had a huge and incredible Greek community which was one of those reasons.
RecruitmentWhen it finally came time for recruitment in January, I was beyond excited. I had loved my first semester at Indiana, but was so excited to meet so many new people and be a part of something seemingly so important to the culture of the school. Leading up to January, we'd met with our Rho Gammas, basically our recruitment counselors, who helped us through every step of the process and told us how much they loved Greek life. They also warned us that Indiana, with it's 21 sororities and overwhelming amount of girls rushing this year, that this process would be more competitive than ever, but to enjoy every moment and go in with a very open mind. This was great advice.
Because of the weather, Recruitment was done a little differently this year. Instead of doing 21 party, then 14, then 8, then 3, we had 21, 12, 3. During 21 party, we had the incredible opportunity to see every single sorority and all of their skits. I talked to so many amazing girls in those three days and it was a great experience to see the personality of each chapter. After 21 party, I ranked my favorite sororities and went to bed very content with the days activities.
It was an excruciating week in between 21 and 12 party but Saturday morning finally came around and my fabulous Rho Gamma was there to deliver my 12 party results. I got 10 houses back and was excited to go back to every one of them. That day I enjoyed even more seeing the personalities of the girls and houses and hearing all of the stories of why these women had joined Greek life.
The next morning was 3 party. The day was exciting but nerve wracking. I loved my three rounds and sat down to rank that night hoping and praying that the next day my Rho Gamma would return with a bid. I had looked forward to this for so long and wanted to be apart of Greek life more than anything. This is because of all of the things Greek life stands for. Scholarship, friendship, sisterhood, and community are only some of their ideals along with leadership and life changing experiences. I had watched all my friends love it and I desperately wanted to experience it for myself.
Life after RecruitmentBecause of this, you can imagine how heartbroken I was to hear that I had not been one to receive a bid. At Indiana, the reason it is so competitive is because of the bed quota and live in policy that the houses have. This year especially with so many girls rushing, my outcome was not unique.
For a week, yes I was absolutely crushed. But what came out of that was an opportunity to see everything that Indiana has to offer. To an outsider, I think it can sometimes feel like Greek life is the only thing to be apart of, but let me tell you that that is not true. There are over 750 clubs at IU. Since Rush ended, I have become involved more in Hillel and am now a Hoosier Guide.
Surprise EndingsIn addition to that, Indiana is in the process of adding a 22nd sorority to their community. I am extremely proud to say that I am currently a founding member of Delta Phi Epsilon as it recolonizes here at IU. This way, I not only get to be a part of Greek life like I always wanted but I get to be a part of establishing something which is pretty cool if you ask me.
Things didn't work out the way I had hoped, no. But my experience gave me an opportunity to see the true meaning of "everything happens for a reason" cliche as it may sound. In the recruitment process, I met so many amazing ladies who are intent on changing the world and are leaders in their sororities and at this university. I also am lucky to have had an incredible group of friends to support me, cry with me, rejoice with me, and show me the value of a true friend.
For me, the best part is the experiences I have had to guide me and the experiences to come.With DPhiE, I have a chance to be a part of cultivating a new sorority for future generations based on all the ideals that are important to me and the greek community, and I am thrilled to be able to be apart of it.
My advice to you is that no matter how scared you are of something, you have to go for it. Sure, it might not work out. But maybe it'll help you figure out what you're supposed to be doing.
Until next time.
Nikki
