Rush Week: Dos and Don’ts

Rush Week: Dos and Don'ts

Last week was Rush Week for my fraternity. Our theme was luau and it was so much fun! I remember when I was a rush, I was really nervous about what to expect and how to act. Since I had never gone through a rush week before (and hadn’t known any friends who had), I was completely in the dark on what to do and what not to do during the week. Rush week for my brotherhood is all about getting to know PNM’s and to see if we’re a good fit for you and if you’re a good fit for us. It’s definitely not about judgement!

I just want to put out a disclaimer that these tips should not be considered the end all be all. They are just coming from experience! The most important thing is to be yourself. 

DO: Put yourself out there

This is one of the most important things! Even if you’re going through the rush process alone, it’s important to put yourself out there and participate to the best of your ability.

DON’T: Be negative

One of the biggest turnoffs for me is a negative PNM. The week is supposed to be fun and it’s completely voluntary! If you’re not having a good time, you don’t have to be there. Simple as that!

DO: Talk to as many members as you can

It’s important to get your name out there and talk to as many brothers/sisters/members as you possibly can. Make sure to have ideas for conversation just in case there’s a lull. It’s so much more impressive when you have ideas of things to talk about!

DON’T: Freak out

Take a deep breath. Although becoming a member might be super important to you, it’s not the end of the world if things don’t go your way! Remember that we’re all human and we’re all going through life and dealing with college and everything else! We’re not trying to pit ourselves against you and, most likely, we were in your EXACT same position before.

DO: Make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into

It’s important to know what you’re signing yourself up for before you rush. Part of rush week is seeing if you’re a good fit for a particular organization, but it helps to know the requirements before you take part in events!

DON’T: Trash talk

This goes hand-in-hand with being negative, but trash talking in general is just not a good idea. Whether it’s about other organizations, your classes, your professors… putting on a positive face is super important! I totally get that venting is a necessary part of life, but venting to people you just met might not go over so well.

DO: Remember names

This one isn’t a deal-breaker, but members will definitely notice if you work hard to remember the names of everyone you meet. It shows that you’re dedicated and willing to get to know everyone which is very important, especially to our organization!

DO: Be yourself

Like I said before, this one is the most important. Rush week shouldn’t be stressful, it should be fun above everything else!

What advice would you give to someone joining a new organization?

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19 Comments

  1. September 24, 2015 / 11:48 am

    I rushed a sorority, so my experience was a little bit different! Depending on the university’s guidelines and the chapter you’re visiting, PNMs may not get to talk to many people.

    I love your point that it’s okay to go through rush alone! I’m so thankful that I stuck it out when my friends dropped out of the process; I was able to make my own decision without worrying about where my friends were going 🙂

    XX, SS || A Little Seersucker Sass

  2. Allison Ellzey
    September 24, 2015 / 12:25 pm

    I remember going through rush and I was so nervous the entire time!

  3. September 24, 2015 / 1:27 pm

    Great advice! I went through sorority recruitment (at my school we weren’t allowed to call it “rush”, how strange is that?) and I was so nervous! I think your point about staying positive is important…I never understood when girls were trash talking or whining. The process can be overwhelming but it is still voluntary and fun! If you hate it that much either suck it up or don’t be there!

  4. September 24, 2015 / 2:26 pm

    This is all wonderful advice! I went through sorority rush and rush for a business frat and this was definitely true for both of those. It also relates to many other organizations as well. I joined two other organizations this semester that required applications and going to a meet and greet. These tips definitely apply to that as well because talking to multiple members and putting my best foot forward at those events really helped me in the long run.

  5. Ally
    September 24, 2015 / 2:37 pm

    This is so interesting to read, especially because pop culture cloaks rush week under a veil of negativity. Sounds stressful, but fun!

    Alessandra | The PumpUp Blog

  6. September 24, 2015 / 5:02 pm

    I regret never rushing but am the worst with names and manners so maybe for the best 😉

  7. September 24, 2015 / 5:46 pm

    I wasn’t in any kind of sorority or anything, but these tips even sound good for a regular social life as well!

    Allisonleighann

  8. September 24, 2015 / 6:12 pm

    These are definitely all helpful and applicable tips to joining any organization.
    I joined a sorority but I had a few friends that were in both sororities and business fraternities which I thought was really cool!

    xoxo, Jenny || Breakfast at Lillys

  9. September 24, 2015 / 6:54 pm

    These tips are so true! I am in a business fraternity and our recruitment week was just two weeks ago and these were some of the same tips I gave some of my friends!
    xx, Mikkaela
    The Southwestern Prepster

  10. September 24, 2015 / 10:18 pm

    What excellent tips for rush week!

  11. Ashley
    September 25, 2015 / 12:08 am

    These are great tips! I think many girl’s heading to college and a sorority will find this helpful!

    xo Ashley

  12. September 25, 2015 / 9:02 am

    Great tips! So many girls going through recruitment right now that I’m sure are benefiting from these!

    -Morgan
    How 2 Wear It [] http://how2wearit.com

  13. September 25, 2015 / 11:10 am

    Ah, I remember these days! These are awesome tips! Totally agree with the trash talking bit, keep things positive!!

    xo, Alicia | Alicia Tenise

  14. Ally Gagliardo
    September 25, 2015 / 12:04 pm

    I personally am not rushing, and probably won’t ever, but I do have some friends that are and definitely could use these tips!

  15. Sara Holt
    September 27, 2015 / 5:47 pm

    Great tips! (:

  16. Kylie Katherine Souder
    September 27, 2015 / 10:38 pm

    Love these tips, so great for anyone rushing!

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