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The recruitment process can be scary, but it is worth it. Just take a deep breath, follow these steps your Rho Gammas may not tell you and add a chapter to your story.

1. Don’t wear provocative clothing

For a reason unknown, this tends not to process properly in some girls’ minds. You are not going out to the Hill to party and impress boys during Rush Week. You’re spending all day with girls, and they don’t need to see excessive amounts of cleavage or ridiculously tight skirts. Keep it classy, ladies. You’re trying to find your future sisters, not your newest hook-up.

2. It’s okay to eat the food

Many of the houses will have desserts or finger foods. It’s okay to accept them when they’re offered to you. Sorority members are not going to judge you for the way you eat. Trust me, I’m the messiest eater alive and I was still offered a bid. The food is always excellent, so you definitely don’t want to miss out and neither does the woman you’re talking to.

3. Be yourself

You’ll hear this a lot. The key is to simply be honest when you answer questions and genuine in conversations. The women you talk to want to get to know the real you so that they can decide whether you would fit in with their house. You don’t want to pretend to be someone you’re not because you’ll just be unhappy when you don’t have a lot in common with your sisters. That being said, don’t force conversations. People will tell if you’re trying too hard. Yes, you want to impress everyone, but don’t make that your only goal.

4. We’re nervous, too

It’s totally understandable that you’re nervous, and you’re not alone. Every house wants you to like them and it’s just as much your decision as it is ours if you want to join. Sorority sisters will be attempting to stay calm and relaxed, just like you, so it’s fine to tell the woman you’re talking to that you’re nervous. She’ll likely feel the same way.

5. Be respectful to every woman you talk to

This should be pretty self-explanatory and an obvious statement, but unfortunately there are always girls who don’t have tact when speaking with certain houses.

It doesn’t matter if you love the house or not, you have to go to every single place you’re invited back to and it’s in your best interest to be polite. This means don’t hide your name tag so the women can’t see it, don’t talk about how much you want to be in another house and continue to engage in conversation. It’s totally normal to have a favorite house, but you shouldn’t ignore the other fabulous houses we have here at CU. This is strictly enforced and could result in your removal from the entire recruitment process

“PanHellenic will reprimand any potential new member who treats a chapter member disrespectfully, and vice versa,” said Alissa Cooper, 22-year-old senior marketing major and Panhellenic director of public relations.

6. Don’t force conversations

Just chat with the woman you’re with like she’s a friend. Don’t try to force inappropriate topics like drinking or boys. Instead, Cooper suggests you “ask about things you are truly interested in like their philanthropy, events, financial obligation, living in the house, et cetera.” The sorority women will be thrilled to tell you all about the awesome things their house does and it will help give you a better idea of if you want to be a part of it.

7. Ignore the stereotypes

There are so many rumors that go around about sorority houses, but there’s no point in listening to any of the negative things. Instead of making your decision based on what other people think about the houses, focus on what you’re feeling and go with your gut.

8. Sophomores welcome

Typically, girls go through recruitment their freshman year, but there are plenty that try it as sophomores. Older girls should not be nervous because houses will still want you. They want to improve their chapter with new women, so your age won’t matter. If you fit, you fit. It doesn’t matter if you’re 18 or 20.

“Going through recruitment as a sophomore is scary, but it’s one of the best decisions I have ever made,” said Katherine Harmon, a 20-year-old junior psychology major who rushed as a sophomore.

9. Bring comfy shoes

You will do lots of walking in the few days of Rush Week, so you’ll want to make sure you have the proper shoes for it. Carry your impractical-but-adorable shoes with you while you wear your flip-flops on your way to the houses. We don’t want you to limp your way around the Hill.

10. You will end up in the right house for you

We have a system that works and you just need to trust it. At the end of recruitment you’ll get a bid from the right place — your home away from home and your new sisters.

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Laura Mishkind at Laura.mishkind@colorado.edu.