Getting into a university with an active Greek life is a dream. There’s a reason why sororities and fraternities are incredibly aspirational in college. Not only will you be a part of a booming social scene, but you’ll also live among supportive, like-minded peers.
So, what is rushing in college?
Rushing is the most essential element of Greek life. This is where students scope out different sororities and fraternities, and houses recruit their new pledges. Rush Week occurs during the first month of the first semester.
Do you want to learn more? Read what to expect during Rush Week and how to nail your first rushing events. Let’s dive in!
Understanding Rushing: The Basics
Rushing is an essential component of campus life. It’s where new students get acquainted with different sororities and fraternities on campus so they can choose which to join.
Each social organization will host numerous events. This way, the houses can introduce themselves to potential recruits and choose new members.
These events range from public to invite-only and secret. Typically, the first round of recruitment is public, where any interested students can participate in the events.
Then, if you catch the attention of the members of the Greek houses, you’ll be invited to the next recruitment round.
Rushing usually lasts for a week but might be extended in some cases. The events and recruitment process also vary from one house to another.
Here are all the terms you’ll need to know during Rush Week.
- Rushee: A rushee is any student participating in Rush Week, regardless of whether they’ve been offered an invitation.
- Recruitment Guides: Members of different houses act as guides for rushees. However, they don’t reveal which houses they’re a part of.
- Legacy: If a rushee or a member has alumni of certain houses in their family, they’re considered legacy. These members are generally favored and are almost always offered an invitation.
- Bid: An invitation to join a frat house or a sorority is called a bid.
- Pledge: A pledge is a rushee who has accepted the bid but has yet to be initiated or participate in their frat or sorority’s activities.
- Initiation: The initiation is the final ceremony of the recruitment process, where pledges officially become active house members.
How to Prepare for Rush Week？
If you plan on joining rush week, you must know some essential tips to make the experience a breeze. These include:
1. Be Open-Minded
Rushing isn’t just about inspecting your future Greek house. It’s also for socializing and trying new activities.
Houses plan for months to come up with the most innovative and fun events. So, it’d be a shame if you didn’t participate.
What’s more, one of the purposes of joining Greek life is making lifelong connections. You’ll be surprised by the number of successful individuals who got their start at a sorority or fraternity.
Accordingly, seize rush week to make new friends even if you don’t plan to join a house. This will make your college life more accessible, and you might even meet the next president!
2. First Impressions Matter
Here’s the unfortunate reality: getting into many sororities and fraternities on campus is incredibly competitive. Some houses even have strict rules for their potential pledges.
For this reason, you want to make the most out of rushing to make an impact on your house of choice. This week can make or break your Greek life.
Here are a couple of tips to help you make a memorable first impression:
- Dress to Impress: There’s not enough time, even if you try to speak to everyone while rushing. Luckily, you can express yourself through your clothes, making your presence known without saying a word.
- Know Everyone: Rush Week can get pretty hectic. Still, you want to remain positive and respectful. Make sure to memorize the names of everyone you meet. You can do this by focusing on the person you’re speaking to and attempting to connect with them. This way, they’ll remember you as well.
- Do Your Research: When rushing, taking your time to learn about the sorority or fraternity’s history is crucial. For starters, it’ll set you apart from the crowd of rushees. Additionally, you’ll ensure you’re joining a house that aligns with your goals!
3. Consider Your Class Schedule
Rushing takes a massive chunk of your day. The rush week also occurs at the same time as course shopping. This is pretty exciting, as you’ll be experiencing different aspects of college simultaneously.
Make sure you’re not taking on more than you can bite. If you overbook your schedule, not only will you be too exhausted to participate in rush events, but you’ll also be too distracted for classes.
Still, Greek life can be an excellent motivation for academic achievements. You’ll have a perfect support system and older peers to look up to. Moreover, sororities and fraternities might drop pledges for failing classes.
4. Put Your Mental Health First
Rushing can take a toll on your mental health, even if you’re an extrovert who has dreamt of participating in Greek life. The reason is that you’ll be adjusting to plenty of life changes, including moving to campus.
Furthermore, socializing is pretty tricky, especially in new environments. The added pressure of trying to land a bid also doesn’t help.
That’s why you must never forget to prioritize your health. Not joining a Greek house isn’t the end of the world.
Instead, you want this experience to be positive and memorable. This way, Greek life will bring out the best in you.
5. Enjoy Yourself
Rushing is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Sure, this week might get overwhelming, but it’s essential to enjoy every moment of it.
Don’t stress yourself by trying to get a bid. If you focus on being yourself and making connections and lasting friendships, you’ll surely make an impression. You might even get invited to more than one sorority!
Final Thoughts
What is rushing in college?
Rushing is a series of events where students participate to earn a spot at sorority and fraternity houses. The social gatherings consist of multiple rounds, some exclusive to rushees who receive bids.
Rush Week can get pretty competitive. For this reason, students must prioritize their mental health and enjoy the process. Even if you don’t get into a house, rushing is still an excellent opportunity to meet new friends!
