Because this year’s recruitment class is so large…2,250 girls…most sections of recruitment are broken up in to 2 days. The first round of days are called Open Houses. Dress for the Open House rounds are casual, and most girls wear sundresses or skirts with sandals. I wore both!

Over the 2 days I visited all 16 sorority houses for about 20-30 minutes with some short breaks in between and also a long break for lunch. We were put in to groups in alphabetical order of about 100 girls a group. When you enter and leave a house the active members sing a song or shout a cheer. Then you talk one-on-one with women in each sorority house about general things, like what you did over the summer, why you chose the school, what you’re most excited about, what your major is, where you’re from, etc.

These days are very long and tiring!! It is important to sleep well, drink lots of water throughout the day, and make sure you get enough to eat. Most girls get crabby when they are hungry or tired, and that is the last thing you want to be when you are trying to introduce yourself to a sorority. Every sorority house offers you water so DRINK IT! It was so hot out all day many girls got dizzy and passed out. The first house is a little overwhelming, but after that it’s fine. Just be yourself and remember they are just worried to talk to you as you are to talk to them.

Make sure to take notes if you can about each sorority. UAPanhellenic provided us with materials to take notes after each house, which was really helpful. One important thing to remember is do NOT bad mouth a sorority. First of all you don’t know who is listening, and talking poorly about the sorority will not make you look better in any way.

Also, remember that the girls in your rush groups could be potential new members of the sorority you are talking about, so don’t make someone else feel bad for liking something just because you don’t! At the end of Open House rounds you must pick the top 12 (out of 16) sororities you liked best. If a sorority you choose wanted you to come back for the next round then you get an invite to your house. If not, then you just won’t go to their party it’s no big deal!

The University of Alabama Recruitment Class of 2014

Here are some things you should note for Open House rounds:

Don’t bring your designer bag because you can’t bring it in the house anyways! Use something that you won’t mind laying in the grass or getting wet.
Wear flats or sandals. If you want to wear wedges pack a pair of sandals just in case
Bring a water bottle and a granola bar
Bring lip gloss, makeup spray, deodorant, and oil blotters
Bring sunglasses
Bring a personal fan
Bring a rain jacket or umbrella in case it rains!
Bring some extra bobby pins or a brush in case you want to fix your hair
Bring a notebook or paper, and a pen to take down notes about each house