Socializing and getting to meet new people in college can be a scary thing. With so many clubs and societies to choose from, from study groups, sports teams, and more, the world quickly becomes your oyster.
But have you ever thought about rushing?
If you are familiar with sororities and fraternities, you would have heard of this term before, yet if this term is new to you, stick around and read our article that gives you all the information you need to rush for a sorority or fraternity.
It’s a great way to meet new people with similar goals, interests, and values and you’re able to form a bond that lasts a lifetime, so why not give it a go?
Sororities
Table of Contents
The word “sorority” comes from the Latin word “sors” which means “a sharer”. The Greek letter Ω (Omicron) represents the “sharers” because it looks like two overlapping circles.
A sorority in college is an organization made up of women who want to make friends, get involved in campus activities, and find their place on campus.
Each sorority has its own set of rules and traditions that they follow and adhere to throughout their time at school.
There are over 1,000 different sororities across the United States, but there are only 15 national organizations.
The groups of female students bond over knowledge, networking, leadership, and mentorship opportunities and you often find friends for life.
Fraternities
Fraternities are similar to sororities but they are made up of a group of male students. Fraternities usually have a house system where members live together in one location.
They also offer social events such as parties, dinners, and other fun activities. While some universities may allow both sororities and fraternities, others do not.
There are over 500 different fraternities across the US, but most are based in North America.
Although a lot of fraternities and sororities are related to Greece and named with Greek letters, they usually don’t uphold Greek values or traditions.
Rushing In College
If you arrive at college and you are interested in joining a sorority or a fraternity, then you should start by looking into what type of sorority or fraternity you’d like to join.
This will help you decide whether or not you’ll fit in with the culture of the sorority/fraternity.
Once you have decided it’s the right thing for you, you will need to go through the rushing process.
When you first arrive at college, you will likely see posters advertising various sororities and frat houses. These are called recruitment flyers and they are put out by the student body to try and attract new members.
When the rushing season begins, you will be invited to several social gatherings early in the year. New students are introduced to senior’s and everyone starts to mingle.
The seniors can then assess whether the freshman will be a good fit for a specific fraternity or sorority.
The rushing season usually begins in fall, yet this depends on when the fraternity and sorority will commence.
Each sorority and fraternity will have a different approach to rushing, yet when they spot a freshman who fits with their chapter, they will be invited to join.
Rushing In Sororities
For female students, you will visit a sorority to take part in their events. This is where the sorority sisters can evaluate the new freshmen.
Sometimes, the sorority will hold a specific rushing event which includes singing and dance shows for the potential candidates.
The sisters might arrange interviews with first-year students interested in the sorority, and if they like them, they are usually invited to join the sorority.
Those who make it through this stage will get to attend an event with their new sisters and this will help them get to know each other.
If you rush a sorority and the sisters are not interested in you, it can be disappointing but it’s not the end of the world.
There are tons of informal rushing events that continue to take place through the academic year, so there are always more opportunities to get accepted to a sorority that is a perfect fit.
Rushing In Fraternities
Compared to rushing with the sisters, this is usually a lot less formal; yet, similar to sororities, fraternities host rushing events so that they can get to know first-year candidates.
These events include football, barbecues, or parties. Brothers will bid on their favorites before asking the chosen ones to join the fraternity.
If not, just like with sororities, there are other opportunities throughout the year.
Formal Rushing Vs Casual Rushing
Formal rushing is a more competitive process. There are more members interested, and they go through a rigorous and sometimes mentally tiring process to impress their chosen sorority or fraternity.
Casual rushing is a lot more relaxed. There are fewer potential candidates, and it’s not as serious as the formal rushing process. You are often only able to meet a few of the brothers or sisters.
Pros And Cons Of Rushing
There are many benefits to joining a fraternity or sorority. It gives you a sense of belonging and helps you develop leadership skills.
However, there are some downsides to rushing. For example, you may feel pressured into joining a certain organization because of your friends’ opinions.
Also, while most sororities and fraternities require you to live in the dorms during your college years, you won’t necessarily find yourself living with the same group of people every day.
Related: What you need for your dorm
Other Tips On Getting Accepted Into A Sorority Or Fraternity
If you want to become a member of a fraternity or sorority, then you need to start by getting involved in one. Most colleges offer an official club called a Greek letter society.
The purpose of these clubs is to allow students to socialize with others from their school and participate in activities such as sports and community service projects.
Once you have joined a Greek-letter society, you might be asked to join a chapter of that society.
This means that you’ll have to visit the chapter regularly and talk to its members about what you’re looking for in a fraternity or sorority and how you could benefit from joining.
If you decide to apply to a specific fraternity or sorority, you should research the history of the organization.
Learn about the founders, and why they started the organization, so you shouldn’t expect the same thing when applying to multiple chapters.
You should also research any famous alumni. While you’re researching, remember that the chapters at different universities are all independent groups.
They don’t share information with any other group.
Final Thoughts
We hope after reading this article you have learned more about fraternities and sororities.
We’ve discussed the differences between them, and we’ve given you tips on how to choose which organization is right for you.
Rushing in college is a fun experience, but it can also be stressful if you aren’t careful. Make sure you do your research and ask questions before making a decision.
Enjoy it, talk to new people, embrace the events of the rush week, and before you know it, you’ll have found your new brothers and sisters for life.
Pin This:
Leave a Reply