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Sorority Recruitment Party Conversation Tips

Sorority Recruitment Party Conversation Tips

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Totally Tailgates
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Sorority Recruitment Party Conversation Tips are an essential element of your sorority rush preparation. Hey y’all, this is Cat and today I’m giving you the inside scoop! The sisters in the houses have been practicing for MONTHS in anticipation of your arrival during rush week. Make sure you are ready with our tips – keep reading!

Sorority Recruitment Party Conversation Tips
Photo credit: Watson Photography

Sorority Recruitment

Party Conversation Tips

1) Introduce yourself with a point of reference: “Hi, I’m Monique from Mountain Brook” or “I’m Landon from Charlotte.” The geographical point of reference may help the sister you are meeting identify you later. This is especially critical for OOS PNMs, but it can also be very relevant for in state girls, too. If you are attending the University of Florida and are from Orlando or Tampa, chances are the sister you are speaking with has a sister from your high school, providing you with a golden instant point of connection. BTW, if you are curious as to what an OOS PNM is, read this. And, before you even step foot into the houses and engage in conversations with the sisters, make sure you know all about tent talk. (You will want to avoid tent talk like a fake pair of Jacks!)

2) Be engaged 100%! This means making eye contact, smiling, and nodding your head during quick introductions. It will be tempting to break the sister’s gaze while looking around the room at other introductions happening near you. Resist this urge! YOU are the one they are speaking to now – use each and every second to your advantage. Sorority legacy PNMs need to be particularly mindful of this tip. Being a legacy doesn’t guarantee a bid, so take your conversations seriously!

Sorority Recruitment Party Conversation Tips
Photo credit: New Mexico State University
3) Answer each question with a question when possible. This opportunity provides the sister the ability to talk about herself or her sorority for a moment, and everyone likes to talk about themselves! Here is an example:
Q from sister: “Landon, which dorm were you assigned?”
A from PNM: “I’m in Totes Hall, and I love it! My roommate is super cool, so it is working out so far. Which dorm were you in your freshman year?

4) Have your elevator answers ready! Sisters typically ask the same routine questions to all PNMs; be prepared in advance. Practice them before recruitment. Your answer should be short ‘n sweet and interesting! Once again, you are trying to provide the sister with a specific point of reference so she will remember you more readily in the future. Here are a few standard questions that you may here:

A) “What did you do this summer?”
B)  “Why did you choose the University of Alabama?” (insert your college/university here)
C)  “What was your favorite activity in high school?”

Let’s take a look at good answers and better answers to Question B:

Sister: Why did you choose the University of Alabama?
Good answer from PNM: “Well, my mom and dad went here. We live in Mountain Brook (suburb of B’ham) so it was super easy for us to come over for game days. I just love it here and always have! Why did you choose ‘Bama?”
Ok, so that was a good answer. It provided context and reasoning for her university selection. It was short (but not very interesting) and she ended her answer with a question back to the sister.
But……here is a better answer:
Sister: Why did you choose the University of Alabama?
Better answer from PNM: “Alabama has always been a family affair, and we live an hour away, so it was a natural contender. However, the top tier Marine Bio faculty sealed the deal. Many are published, and I wanted to learn from the best because Marine Bio is my major. Why did you choose Alabama?”
Now, which answer do you think the sister will hear most often during party rounds?
Yep, the first one. Mountain Brook girls at the University of Alabama are a dime a dozen and usually have a mom or dad who attended. Nothing new there. Nothing to distinguish this PNM from the dozens of other Mountain Brook PNMs.

However, the second answer not only provides a historical connection to the university, but also a unique perspective into her college selection.  She will be more readily remembered when PNMs are being evaluated.

5 Sorority Recruitment Party Conversation Tips
Photo credit: Her Campus
5) Ask questions! Be prepared before recruitment. Have in your arsenal a few stock questions to ask at each house. Just like the sisters are ready with conversation starters, you should be too. The reasoning is twofold:
A) Asking questions shows genuine interest and confidence
B) It will help you evaluate the house objectively.

Here are a few questions you could ask during party rounds..

1) How does your chapter support your philanthropy? Car washes? 5Ks? Bake sales?

2) What is it about Beta’s sisterhood that you like the best?

3) Tell me about pledge life after Bid Day…what sisterhood activities does Beta have for new pledges?
Just like you spent time figuring out what to pack for sorority recruitment , spend time thinking about questions to ask at each house!

Sorority Recruitment Party Conversation Tips:

Certain Topics Should Be Avoided. Period.

Avoid these topics 100%: booze, boys, money, politics OR other houses.
Sorority Recruitment Party Conversation Tips were designed to not only provide you with guidance on WHAT to say, but also as guardrails for what NOT to say….
Do not ask about frat parties, brag about going out and partying, your boyfriend back home, how much money your mom, grandfather or sister made when they invented the paper clip, what you think about ISIS or climate change, or how rude a sister was to you in the Omega house. It’s also a smart idea not to tell everyone how many Lilly dresses you own. If a sister comments on your Lilly sundress or Jack sandals, politely say “thank you” and then turn the conversation around…ask her a question! Never elaborate on material items. (affiliate)
To maximize your options, stay faaarrrrrr away from the convos referenced above! Sorority party rounds and cuts are very real. Sometimes knowing what NOT to say is just as important as knowing what TO say! Oh, and tent talk happens..it always happens……I mentioned this earlier…make sure you stay above the fray!
Sororities are looking for sisters…girls who will make positive contributions to their sisterhood. The topics above do nothing to enhance your position as a viable, solid potential new member.
If you have a question about Sorority Recruitment Party Conversation Tips anything else sorority recruitment related, leave me a comment below!
xoxo,
Cat
P.S. – If you are just getting started on the whole rush process, start here for Social Resume details.

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