What A Rush

Women's recruitment might last for days, but the experience can last a lifetime.\nHundreds of freshmen and sophomore girls must decide by fall whether or not they want to "rush" the following January. Returning to Bloomington much earlier in the new year than most students is just one of the sacrifices these girls are willing to make to "get a bid."\nSorority houses plan days of intensive social activities for the "rushees." First, in November, a girl must attend all 19 chapter parties wearing jeans and a recruitment t-shirt, which is supplied by the sororities. She normally talks personally with three sisters from each house while other girls cheer and welcome the rushees. At the end of all 19 parties, each chapter invites only certain rushees back to their houses while the girls rate all the houses one through 19. If the invites match up, the girl moves on.\nThe "12 party" is the next step of the recruitment process. Girls watch sorority sisters perform skits about why girls should join their house, while dressed in their khakis or black pants and sweaters or nice tops. The rushees talk to the sisters one-on-one, and once again, the girls rate these 12 chapters one through 12.\nNarrowing it down to the "six party," sorority sisters show the girls a video, sing songs and give testimonies about what the chapter means to them. Sometimes there are ceremonies specific to each chapter.\nThe final "three party" day, when girls dress in their most formal attire, is comprised of ceremonies. After dozens of parties in just days, the girls make their final picks while the sisters make their final bids. In the end, most girls are happy. But even for the discouraged ones, rush will still be an unforgettable experience.