How to Tell What A Sorority is REALLY Like When Going Through Rush at Clemson

You will be told from the moment you decide to rush to not listen to the stereotypes or gossip about the sororities here at Clemson. However, where there’s a rhyme there is a reason and for many clueless freshmen girls it can be a good thing to know a little about the sororities on campus before deciding to become a part of one for the next four years.

I was one of the innocent girls who actually tried to not listen to the gossip about the sororities while going through rush and let me tell you, it was actually very confusing to figure out what the girls in each sorority were like behind the synchronized chanting, perfectly done-up hair, and rehearsed conversations.

After bid day when I actually got to see these girls at parties or social events I was shocked to see one sorority that I thought was very northern and hipster was actually one of the most southern and religious sororities on campus!

This is in no way a bad thing or would have made me not want to join the organization any less; however, I think it is very important that girls get to really know what kind of girls they are about to spend every waking moment with before they decide to become a member.

TIP #1: Do your research.

At the very, very least, look at each sorority’s social media pages. There is a reason why these girls post so much on their Instagrams, Tumblrs, and VSCO’s over summer and its because they want the girls thinking about rushing to look at them!

You will definitely be getting a more glamourized glimpse at what its like to be part of their sisterhoods, but that is the same way with anyone’s social media pages so it can be considered a good way to get some more knowledge on the organization; however, I wouldn’t put too much emphasis on their social media pages alone.

You could also look at Greek Rank but be very careful when doing so. Make sure you look at the date when things are being posted and look out for possible self rankings, which can be hard to spot if you’re new to campus. I would probably try to stay clear of this website or take the things you read on it with a grain of salt because a lot of things people post on their can be false.

TIP #2: Look around at the girls on campus.

During recruitment, active members (girls in sororities) have to wear shirts with their Greek letters on them until rush is over. While you are not allowed to talk to them very much because this can be considered “dirty rushing,” you can see the types of girls that they are simply by watching how they treat each other.

If you see them surrounded by girls wearing the same letters and having an amazing time, chances are they really do love the sorority they’re in and value the friends they’ve made. However, remember to not judge an entire sorority based on one encounter you’ve made with a member because every organization has a very diverse group of women in it.

TIP #3: Listen wisely to the things you hear from sophomores or juniors going through rush.

Note that I said sophomores or juniors and NOT freshmen. Girls that decide to rush during their second or third year already know a lot about the sororities on campus. They’ve had these girls in their classes, shared dorms with them, and attended the same parties so they can probably give you an accurate description of what the sisterhood is like.

Try to get a general feel for the sorority based on what all the girls have to say and remember to not listen too much to the bad stuff because it could be that the girl who is gossiping to you could have had a bad experience with one member and is judging the entire sorority for it. Listen to what they have to say, but listen wisely and make your own judgments.

TIP #4: Trust the system.

I know, you’ve heard this sentence from your Pi Chi, from the Panhellenic representatives at orientation, and probably from the girls talking to you in recruitment but it is actually true. Rush is extremely stressful and emotional and there are times when you can get really frustrated when you find out you were cut from a sorority you thought was the ‘one’ but just stick it out and I promise you won’t regret it.

I absolutely love the sisterhood I have joined and the life-long friendships I have made because of it and I know that there were times when I got cut from sororities I really could’ve seen myself a part of but now I know that there is a reason why I am in the organization I joined and you just have to trust that the Greek system works.