Tips for Receiving a Bid from Your Dream Sorority

For some girls, getting into the Sorority of their dreams is a goal that goes back as far as they can remember. Maybe her mother, grandmother, great grandmother all belonged to the same sorority and it is up to her to keep the family tradition alive. Maybe she's seen Legally Blonde six hundred times and wants nothing more than to be just like Elle Woods.

For others, "getting in" is something they had never really thought of until they arrived on the college campus and got a look at Sorority (or Greek) Row. But for both of these groups of young women, there is one thing that stands between them and their dreams: Receiving a bid. Each sorority around the country, whether national or local, social or service, has different guidelines for how and who they select to be members of their sisterhoods but there are a few things that every young lady can do to call positive attention to themselves and a few things they can do to avoid negative attention.

1. Dress nicely. In most cases, business casual is a safe bet. However, you should check fliers for Rush events of any Sorority you are planning to attend to see if any of them require special attire. Also consider things like hair, makeup and fingernails. A ponytail is fine, if it looks like it was intentional and not something that was easier than any other option. Red nail polish looks better on short, well-manicured nails than on inch-long Freddy Krueger style nails.

Avoid things like mini skirts, sweats (top or bottom), low cut tops or spaghetti straps, t-shirts, black nail polish/lipstick, heavy black eyeliner.

2. Go into each Rush event knowing something about the hosting Sorority. Chances are very high that you will be asked why you want to be a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma and you should have an educated answer. "Because my mother and grandmother before her were Tri-Sigmas," is a good answer, but should be supported with your own thoughts on the organization. Personally, my Sorority is a service organization focused on, primarily, the Special Olympics so expressing that you've always wanted to work with Special Olympics but never had the opportunity would be a good example of tailoring your answer to us specifically.

As for your family ties, they are important. An important aspect of being part of a Sorority is sisterhood, with "sister" at it's root. Thousands of women across the country call their mother Sister because they are part of the same Sorority. Women whose mothers were part of a Sorority are often called Legacies, for obvious reasons.

Don't be so extensive in your research that you become a "know-it-all." The active, or collegiate members of the Sorority are well versed in their goals, missions, history and the events Rush events they host are designed to teach these things to potential new members, not the other way around. A working knowledge of the organization is impressive; knowing all the answers before the questions are asked can be construed as insulting.

3. Be yourself. Even if "yourself" is harsh and abrasive, it is important that the first impression you put forth is an accurate one (although if you are harsh and abrasive, you should try to tone that down a little - you want to put forth an accurate first impression, not a terrifying one). Assuming you are extended a bid (and accept it), these women will be your Sisters and friends for life. Even if you are not completely comfortable with who you are or you are still working on figuring out who you are, being that person is leaps and bounds better than any performance you could dream up.

Putting on a false face means that they will be extending a bid to someone who may or may not be a good match, both ways. In not being yourself, you have led them to believe that you are what they are looking for in a quality member, one who is going to uphold their ideals and put forth a good example to the community when all you really wanted was to be invited to the Greeks Only Fraternity parties. When the truth comes out, and it will, it will make the situation uncomfortable for everyone.

Being yourself also means answering questions truthfully. Show your personality. Rush events are where you will find out how you will fit into the organization. If you love, more than anything in the world, curling up with a blanket and a black and white 1940's horror flick, share that when asked about your hobbies. You never know in which Sorority you might find the Joan to your Bette.