**BACKGROUND**
Hey! I joined the forum back in 2010, when I was still a senior in high school. I wanted to formally rush at my university, so in autumn 2010, I did. However, it was unsuccessful, as I ended up only get invited back to 2 out of the 16 houses (we were allowed to go back to 10), and ended up getting dropped after that. I posted my short little story at the time on here. Then, I decided to go through informal with a colony that was on campus at the time. I ended up not receiving a bid from them.
In both my freshman and sophomore years, I decided to try to become an RA in the dorms, end made it to the final round of selection both times, but ended up not getting the position both times. I was quite disappointed, and it this point, I was starting to feel like a genuine loser. I have met VERY few people at my school who have gone through formal recruitment who were dropped from all houses, and have never met anyone who tried to become an RA twice who didn't get the job.
I ended up talking with the man who was placing candidates into the RA position, and with my family. I basically learned that, long story short, my attitude and behavior sucked and I REALLY needed to work on the way I presented myself. I slowly started making changes at the end of my sophomore year, and started to find myself getting involved in various activities and leadership positions.
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*RECRUITMENT WEEKEND*
I recently went through colony recruitment for a sorority that was supposed to be re-colonizing on campus. I will not say which school or when it took place, because I don't want to give it away too soon. I first heard about the sorority coming back to campus 3 months prior to recruitment for the colony, and I was so excited. I NEVER dreamed that I would ever have the opportunity to go Greek again, especially not as a junior! The month after I found out, the organization was tabling in one of the buildings, and I came to talk with the woman who was tabling, which got me even more excited. Later that week, I met with a woman from HQ, and she gave me plenty of information about how recruitment weekend would work, and telling me more about the sorority in general. Then, the following month, I met with another woman and went to an info session. I had the cheesiest expression on my face - I couldn't wait to join this wonderful group. It felt like an eternity before recruitment, but it finally came.
DAY 1:
Earlier in the day, I had an interview. There were 2 other candidates interviewing with me. We were interviewed by an alumna and a collegiate member from another school. I was very nervous, but believe I did well. Keep in mind, I had been reading the sticky threads on recruitment and the recent colony recruitment threads I could find religiously for a good couple months before this day! I did NOT want to mess up this time! I left the interview feeling quite confident.
Later, in the evening, was our first event. It was really fun and casual. We basically got to talk with other PNMs and collegiate members from 3 nearby schools. I felt like I really connected with all of the women I talked to. It was like nothing I had ever felt when rushing the other 17 groups on campus. After talking, we watched a presentation, and we grouped up and wrote down qualities in others and ourselves that we valued on a chalk board. Then, we went into a photo area and took pics while holding our board. We also got to see floor plans of the new house. It was sooo amazing! Then, we left, and I knew I would be so sad if I didn't get invited back for preference.
DAY 2: I checked my inbox, and saw that I got an email stating that I had been invited back to pref! I was so ecstatic! When we arrived, we lined up outside of the door in alphabetical order. As we walked in, we were each personally welcomed, and a collegiate member from one of the other schools escorted us in. The girl who escorted me in was one I talked to the day before, and she told me she was excited to see me back again. We then talked in a small group of a couple other PNMs and collegiate members. I enjoyed it so much. Then, the ceremony began. Different women shared what it meant to them to by a ___ and their experiences. Many of them cried. It was just so sweet. Then we did something else, but I won't share what, because it may give away which sorority it is. As we were leaving, we received a paper with instructions for bid day, and what to do if selected.
DAY 3: BID DAY!!! And also the day of our colonization ceremony. I could hardly sleep, i was so nervous. At around 9:40, I got "the call" - I was in!!! The alumna who called me was the one who interviewed me. She was so excited that I said yes
I then went to go sign my paperwork to officially accept my bid. I will leave out the details about bid day festivities and the colonization ceremony, because I could go on and on and on...
Anyway, I am now proud to FINALLY be able to say that I accepted a bid from ...
ALPHA OMICRON PI!!!