You're late for TEA!

[Parfait]

I loved Alice in Wonderland - the old cartoon, the new movie, and would love to read the book. So that's what shall inspire the names of the chapters.
For what it's worth, I am a sophomore transfer and the campus has a fairly laid back recruitment.

There are five sororities.
Queen of Hearts
Cheshire
Jabberwocky
Caterpillar
Mad Hatter

Now each sorority does have a reputation, but it doesn't matter because a single pledge class can change that for better or for worse. What matters is finding a home that suits you. Besides, they could have easily been created by another sorority, a jaded PNM, or just some asshole - fact is, until you get to know them, you won't know.

There was a Greek information BBQ before recruitment started. My roommate went with me - she wasn't thrilled but she didn't want to do anything else or go back to the dorms. This is what inspired the "A little disappointed" post, because she was rude and then afterward expressed her immense dislike of sororities and her ideas of them.

There was another info session, not too important in the story. Then OH NO! I get horribly sick. Not just a little cold, but unable to leave bed or attend class. I made the mistake of walking over to the health center (long walk, sick, bad idea) and was told I probably had allergies. I went to the doctor who said it was the flu and a sinus infection. Great. My first week of class and I'm incredibly sick.
DUN DUN DUN.... Will I get to go through recruitment? Will I have to withdraw before it even starts? Actually, we already know the answer to this was yes, so I shall continue. I mostly recovered just in time for recruitment.

First off was the Sorority Showcase! This was held in a theatre where we were put into our Gamma Chi groups and sat down to watch a slideshow and a few members from each group talked about why that sorority was right for her. After that we all sat outside in our groups and had pizza while talking. A lot of pizza. Who knew girls could eat that much?

My Gamma Chis were pretty freaking awesome and super nice! They encouraged guessing of their groups, but absolutely refused to tell us!
For the most part they were VERY thorough about information and answering questions. They talked about what happens if you withdraw, what happens if you accept a bid, that it's possible to not be asked back to your "favorite" groups but to try to keep going. One of them told about how she was dropped by her favorite group but accepted into her legacy sorority and was VERY upset, but has grown to love it and hasn't regretted it since. One thing they did NOT mention was it's possible to be released from recruitment until someone asked.
As we parted, they stressed that it would be best to not go out and party or to miss class. Hopefully we'll get together with our group for some activities such as dinner.

Round one started the following day. . .

[LucyKKG]

I love your title! Don't be late for your very important date!

[BabyPiNK_FL]

I love your title cos my little group of friends probably going to do an Alice theme for Halloween!

[Parfait]

You'll have to pardon me, I'm reading off my scribbled notes and attempting to put it in a way so it makes more sense to readers. I don't think you guys would appreciate my stars, hearts, and swirls codes in this story. (Don't judge, we had 10 minutes to write AND walk across campus then line up for parties!)

Round One
Visit all five sororities. Wear a Panhellenic T-shirt, they had pink and yellow ones. The t-shirt had an extra sorority on it that is no longer on campus, so I guess the shirts are leftovers. I thought the pink ones were cute although I'm not a fan of pink, that's the one I wore.

On the way over to the student union my shoe broke! I ran back to my room and switched, then on the way back over my EARRING broke. I didn't want to be late so I removed the remaining. I was in a hurry and trying to make a good impression, this upset me a bit!
We met in our Gamma Chi groups and off we went to each chapter's room! (Some were in the student union, the others in another building.)
These are in the order we visited them.

Caterpillar
We stood in a single file line while the cheering started and then walked in and each PNM was paired up with a current member. The amount of girls seemed small, which may have been exaggerated by a large room. The first girl I spoke to seemed sweet, but I didn't feel a huge connection with her, but then again it is the first meeting. I don't remember what we chatted about, it wasn't important. The second girl seemed nice, but uninterested. I honestly wasn't feeling a sisterhood here, but who am I to judge since I don't know them personally? I did not enjoy my time here, but if invited back I would give them another chance.

Cheshire
I liked these girls. They seemed nice and like they stood up for their sisters. They had a cute runway show to show off their different social events such as Mom's Day, formal, Dad's day, etc. Their tables were really cute, too. I liked the girls I talked to, although one seemed really nervous! I wouldn't mind being invited back here to learn a bit more.

Jabberwocky
These girls seemed to have a very close sisterhood, but seemed a little small. The first girl I met had bright purple eyeliner with a skin-toned subtle sparkled lid and I LOVED IT. I totally wear bright eyeshadows some days, but had gone more neutral for recruitment. She had just enough so that it wasn't trashy, but actually quite nice. She was so nice, I enjoyed talking to her. With one girl the conversation lagged awkwardly a bit, but that's okay, we were both really nervous. She took me to see their table, which I liked a lot. I really liked these girls and hope to be invited back.

Mad Hatter
Ahhh! I really liked this party. They had fish on the tables, which was neat. Apparently one of the fish had jumped out earlier between parties. The conversations were easy and I liked the girls. They rotated a lot in this party, I wondered for a second if they did that with annoying or unwanted PNMs but then realized it was happening to ALL PNMs. The girls I talked to all seemed to really care for each other. I hope to be invited back here!

Queen of Hearts
I LOVED this party, too! They seemed to be very happy in their sisterhood, very close. Their philanthropy is something close to my heart. I met several girls, but had one main girl talking to me. Their tables were totally adorable and I loved looking at all the photos. I thought the conversations went well and I really wanted to be invited back here, too!


RANKINGS:
Queen of Hearts
Jabberwocky & Mad Hatter
Cheshire
My #2 option was Caterpillar
I went ahead and listed them in order of my favorites here.

The one thing I noticed about all parties was how freaking loud it was, I felt like I was straining my voice to be heard.
I spent most of the night and the time up until the party fretting about being dropped from recruitment. The next day we could be invited back to FOUR parties.

[LucyKKG]

Originally Posted by Parfait

They had fish on the tables, which was neat. Apparently one of the fish had jumped out earlier between parties.

Oh...my...GOD! I have a weird thing about fish, and I seriously would have cried and run away if I saw that happen! Thank goodness it was between rounds but...Ahhhh! I'm sure my reaction would have made me labelled a weirdo PNM and ended up in "Weird rush stories".

[Parfait]

Originally Posted by LucyKKG

Oh...my...GOD! I have a weird thing about fish, and I seriously would have cried and run away if I saw that happen! Thank goodness it was between rounds but...Ahhhh! I'm sure my reaction would have made me labelled a weirdo PNM and ended up in "Weird rush stories".

Aww, that's a good thing then! Wasn't there a story in the weird rush stories about a girl cuddling the feeder goldfish?

One thing about the parties: In each one we were sat at various round tables with chairs around them. The chairs were back to back so two were facing each other. The active and the PNM sat facing each other while back to back with another person. That's probably why it was so loud, one room and everyone so close!

I also don't want to go too detailed into conversations because that is a bit personal.

Round 2
No more fretting, it's time to receive invites!
Dress is a high school t-shirt. I was invited back to two sororities. Just two? I thought the girls liked me more than that, but at the same time, I was happy because they were in my favorites and it only takes ONE.
Invites: Mad Hatter and Jabberwocky.
I was sad that Queen of Hearts had cut me, I really liked the girls. However, like I said, Mad Hatter and Jabberwocky were also favorites. Besides, I'm a sophomore and had been sick, perhaps their impression wasn't a good one or perhaps they DID like me but I was below the cut-off for invites, I don't know and it doesn't matter.

I had one party at 11:40pm and one at 3:00pm. We had to stay with our groups, so the wait was long, but at least we waited near an area where they sold food! No one fainted from hunger in our group! We entertained ourselves with a game that had cards that had "this or that" type options and poking around on our phones.

Jabberwocky
As with all parties, we were put in a single file line and sent into the room filled with chanting girls. The only difference was the groups were mixed instead of going in with our Gamma Chi group.
The girl brought me in and we chatted for awhile in the chairs. There was an awkward silence at one point because I had a question and I forgot it! Just plumb forgot. So I admitted I was nervous, but really happy to have been invited back. Each table had its own theme/country where we sat around it with other PNMs and actives. The game was fun, it had cards labeled Favorite, Random, and Rather. When you turned the card over, it had a question for people to answer. It was a great way to get to know a bit about everyone at your table and everyone seemed to enjoy it. The party time seemed over way too fast. I hope they invite me back, I like them so much!

Mad Hatter
I remember the sister who escorted me to a table had the brightest blue eyes. The chat was easy, but it was more of a "first meeting" type chat. Meeting other sisters didn't feel awkward at all, it was all easy. The game here was the same as the other party, but done differently. Instead of cards, there were puzzle pieces that you drew. I did feel another PNM took control of the table, she was loud and proud, she stood out and she dominated conversations. I remember this group had cute shirts that had to do with puzzles. I liked them so much, too.

I sat for a long time just wondering what I was going to do. I liked both groups so much and could see myself fitting into both. It was only the second day but already my heart felt torn into two. I liked Jabberwocky just ever so slightly more, but it was just so tough.

When I arrived back in my dorm room (I'm not in a freshman dorm so it's kind of lonely to walk back) my roommate seemed very interested. That is, until I explained what it was like. She thought parties meant loud music, heavy drinking, and hanging out with the sisters. When she found out it wasn't that, she lost interest. To quote her from a previous conversation "they must throw some sick parties" and to her that's all they could possibly be good for since they were all stuck up bitches.


RANKINGS:
Jabberwocky
Mad Hatter

There is another round, Pref, and Bid Day left. I will save those for later as it's quite late and I have an early morning class and a long day.

[Leslie Anne]

Looking forward to the rest of your story!

[DubaiSis]

I'm going to have to root for Mad Hatter now! The reason might be obvious to some of us....

[Kansas City]

I think you end up Mad Hatter.

[nittanygirl]

Originally Posted by LucyKKG

Oh...my...GOD! I have a weird thing about fish, and I seriously would have cried and run away if I saw that happen! Thank goodness it was between rounds but...Ahhhh! I'm sure my reaction would have made me labelled a weirdo PNM and ended up in "Weird rush stories".

SAME!!! I would have freakedddd out. I had a beta fish that I got as a gift and I made my friend come clean the bowl and stuff. He also took it home over Christmas break. Well Spring break came, and I figured I'd take it home. I was super careful with it on the car ride home, but the next day when I went to feed it, it was gone. I scanned my desk, but didn't see it. I was freaked out and didn't want to find it dead on the ground. I shut my door, avoided my bedroom and waited until my dad came home and made him go find it! I was so freaked out! I guess it committed betacide.

[Parfait]

Originally Posted by nittanygirl

SAME!!! I would have freakedddd out. I had a beta fish that I got as a gift and I made my friend come clean the bowl and stuff. He also took it home over Christmas break. Well Spring break came, and I figured I'd take it home. I was super careful with it on the car ride home, but the next day when I went to feed it, it was gone. I scanned my desk, but didn't see it. I was freaked out and didn't want to find it dead on the ground. I shut my door, avoided my bedroom and waited until my dad came home and made him go find it! I was so freaked out! I guess it committed betacide.

Did your dad find it?
Bettas can surprisingly jump! My roommate and I have a lid on the tank, but I keep finding the damn thing in the air bubble tube because he uproots it.
One time I was home alone and had to care for our outdoor fish. One died. So I ran to the bait shop and replaced it. The next day I found the replacement dead and half eaten outside the pond. It was so unpleasant, I nearly cried.

[AZTheta]

Dearest Parfait,

enough of the fish talk, please. Please finish your story, please! I beseech you.

AzTheta (on behalf of the entire GC recruitment story addict group)

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by AzTheta

Dearest Parfait,

enough of the fish talk, please. Please finish your story, please! I beseech you.

AzTheta (on behalf of the entire GC recruitment story addict group)

Like.

[AZ-AlphaXi]

Originally Posted by AzTheta

Dearest Parfait,

enough of the fish talk, please. Please finish your story, please! I beseech you.

AzTheta (on behalf of the entire GC recruitment story addict group)

Second!!

[Parfait]

I just fed my fish.