Fraternity Recruitment Preparation
Fraternity rush can be an incredibly daunting task for many potential new members, no matter your history or connection to the Greek system. For a lot of people, rush occurs relatively early in their college career–either first semester or early second semester. This doesn't allow for much time to get to know the brothers or the campus as a whole. Thus, a lot of people find the hectic nature of rush to be incredibly overwhelming.
Although there is no way to know what exactly to expect during rush week, there are some ways to be prepared.
Research
One of the first things to do if you are preparing for fraternity recruitment and rush (or even just considering it) is to research. First, research fraternities as a whole organization. Do they sound appealing? Keep in mind that you also don’t have to join the “stereotypical” fraternity. These fraternities are social organizations with philanthropic involvement, but there are other fraternities that may interest you more. There are social fraternities, service fraternities, honor fraternities, religious and ethnic fraternities, and professional fraternities.
Once you've researched Greek life as a whole, it is really important to research what specific fraternities are at your university or college. Getting to know what fraternities are at your school is crucial to getting prepared for recruitment. Is Greek life huge at your school? Are there lots of fraternities to choose from, or are there only a few social ones? Get to know what your options are at your school in order to be as prepared for rush as possible.
It is also crucial to figure out when exactly your rush is. If rush is the first thing during fall semester, then give yourself more time to research each fraternity and your school's recruitment process specifically. If your recruitment isn't until the winter semester, then you have more time to get to know the fraternities and their brothers, as well as acquaint yourself with the recruitment process.
Discuss
Another big part of preparing for fraternity recruitment is to discuss the process thoroughly with multiple people. First, talk to anyone you already know in Greek life. Do you have a family history of Greek life, or are your friends involved? If so, talk with them about their experiences. Although you can’t guarantee that your specific experience is going to be the same as theirs, they may provide great insight to help you better prepare for recruitment.
Another great group of people to discuss rush with are people on your campus. A lot of student advisors and counselors (even residential advisors) are very open to discussing Greek life and may provide great information regarding the experiences on your campus specifically.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the best thing to do when preparing for fraternity recruitment is to research and discuss your different options when looking into fraternities. Although these organizations are great for some people, stereotypical social Greek organizations are not a perfect fit for everyone. Knowing what is best for you and your college experience is the most important thing, and there is no shame in not choosing to join a fraternity.