Opinions Editor

Sorority recruitment weekend at CSU Bakersfield is just around the corner, which can be a stressful and long weekend. The recruitment process is different for every school and searching for articles online won’t truly prepare you for a CSUB recruitment. Take some advice from students who went through it here.

What to expect

The first day you’ll rotate to meet all three sororities: Gamma Phi Beta, Nu Phi Chi, and Phi Sigma Sigma.

According to Maureen Fillmore, Student Union and Greek Life Coordinator, you can expect to be given a lot of information throughout the weekend. From meeting new people to the costs of each organization, the three-day recruitment can be a lot to take in.

“The first day is usually just [to] get to know you,” said Ashley Schmidt, senior majoring in anthropology.

Not only are you meeting current sorority members, but you’re also meeting many potential members who are going through the same process as you.

A piece of advice you’ll hear all weekend long is to keep an open mind. Every sorority has its own personality and its important to see them all.

“Learn what the sorority is and what it isn’t,” said Fillmore.

You want to join a sorority where you feel most comfortable and that can be because of the girls in the sorority or  what the sorority stands for.

During recruitment, each sorority displays information about the history, philanthropy, values, motto, and photographs of their organization.

“You’ll see what they get, like paddles and crates, you’ll see all the different things they have to offer,” said Yeirida Izazaga, senior majoring in kinesiology.

The second night you’re still getting a lot of information, but this information has more to do with GPA requirements and costs. Being in a sorority isn’t what you see in movies. There are certain academic eligibility requirements that are needed to be in a sorority. Which can be a deal breaker when picking your top two by the end of the night.

If you make it to the third night, preference night, some will meet with two or just one sorority. This night, you go more in depth on what being in a sorority is all about.

“You really get to see a lot about each chapter. You get to find out what their core values are. You see their own commitment to their sorority,” said Izazaga.

This is the last day to make a decision on which sorority you prefer most.

Monday, Sep. 10, 2018, is Bid day, where all the girls who made it to the third night gather in the Student Union to see if they received a bid.

“A bid is your invitation to join a sorority,” said Schmidt.

What to wear

Fillmore said there isn’t a dress code but reminds all the girls attending this event that there is a lot of walking and standing.

“Be mindful of your footwear,” said Fillmore.

This is a three-hour event and you’re going to be standing for a long time, so wear something comfortable. A sorority isn’t going to pick you because of your outfit.

“Your outfit, it doesn’t matter really what you wear because it’s who you are as a person, that’s what it comes down to,” said Schmidt.

At the event, they do inform you that the third night, preference night, is a little nicer wear, but that can mean something different for everybody.

If ‘something nice’ to you  is a pair of pants and a top then wear that. If you like to wear a dress then wear a casual dress, but wear something that is your style.

“I wore jeans and a sweater shirt my first time,” said Schmidt. “And then the second night, I even wore jeans and just a nice top.”

There is no right answer, but comfortability is key.

What to talk about

Several sites advise when going to recruitment to have something interesting to talk about because it will make you stand out; however, this is not a competition.

Izazaga, just like many other girls who went through recruitment, was completely nervous because she felt like she wasn’t the type of girl who would go Greek.

“I was like all these girls are going to come up to me and they’re going to ask me who I am, and I don’t know who I am. I don’t know what to tell them,” said Izazaga. “I don’t want to be boring. I don’t want them to not like me.”

It’s okay to be nervous and all the girls that are going through recruitment are going to be nervous too.

A sorority is going to pick you for who you are and you can do that by talking about things that interest you. If you’re an awkward girl, Fillmore said it’s okay to be awkward. The girls in the sorority want to meet you.

And don’t worry if your mind goes blank when talking to the girls because they’re just as excited and nervous to meet you too.

“If you don’t have anything to talk about, I promise you, they will,” said Schmidt.

What if you don’t get picked

Sororities are limited on how many new members they can take, and you can be rejected, but Fillmore said try not to take it personally because it could be for many different reasons that has nothing to do with your characteristics, looks, or personality.

“Sometimes it’s for grades,” said Schmidt. “There are girls that don’t get a bid the first time and then they come out again and they get a bid from the sorority that they want. It happens, so do not feel discouraged.”

Joining a sorority isn’t for everyone, but if you’re interested in it or thinking about it then go to recruitment and see for yourself.

“Just try it out, there’s no obligation,” said Fillmore.

A lot of girls currently in sororities say that it was an incredible experience for them.

“I met great people during the [fall recruitment]. People I didn’t even know I was going to be friends with. Girls that I have never talked to before or even thought about talking to,” said Izazaga.

Schmidt said one of the main reasons she became involved in student government was because she joined a sorority that gave her opportunities to be heavily involved on campus.

“The choice that I made, I will never look back at, it’s what started all of my involvement here on campus. It’s how I got involved in everything else that I’m involved in,” said Schmidt. “Joining [a] sorority is actually how I got involved in student government.”

Hopefully, all the ladies going out to recruitment this weekend enjoy themselves and remember to have fun and when you’re meeting each sorority, ask yourself, Can I see myself in this organization?

“Sorority recruitment is away to find your home away from home,” said Schmidt.