Thoughts before recruitment vs after

Going into it I thought I wanted to be in a top house like kappa. I was very focused on status but I went through recruitment and loved other houses that seemed more real. I went chi o which is still considered a “top” but it is less status focused and more genuine

I thought I wanted Old Row - loved AXO, PM, and DDD.
When going through I knew I wanted New Row, but not ZTA - it was too fake for me.
I ended up going New Row, I am right where I belong. I still love AXO and DDD and could totally see myself as a tri delt or my current house. I am so happy.
Listened to the hype and the tent talk and then realized it was their mom's regurgitated opinions.

I wish people would realize all they have to go on is gossip and rumors before recruitment. They can't possibly know what their experience as a member would be like in any group until they are actually in it for a few months. Also, most girls could belong to any house on campus. With 400+ members in a house they are bound to find a group of friends they enjoy to be with. People need to relax.

During recruitment, I listened to a lot of the tent talk because I didn't know a thing about any of it. I had a good week with invites but the houses I liked didn't match up with what the other girls in my group told me about ranks, who I should like, etc. I had a total mental crisis after sisterhood round because the two NR houses I liked the most were considered lower than the 3rd OR house I had remaining. I spent a long time talking it through with my Rho Chis and they were super helpful and encouraged me to choose the two houses I liked the most. I did. I ended up in my first choice NR house and love it. NO regrets. I would have been miserable in the OR house- they are a great house but just not me.
Stay off GR. Keep an open mind and go where you feel the most comfortable and are the most welcomed.

I knew I wanted OR the whole time and that didn’t rly change during rush. I’m from a big city in the south and I was lucky to go into rush with enough connections in most OR houses. Prior to rush week, my top choices were KD, Kappa, and Phi Mu. I ended up feeling like phi mu was kinda corny and fake, it just seemed not super fun and very image obsessed. Tri Delt ended up being one of my favs and almost ended up going ddd, but I felt like the girls I met who wanted to go ddd didn’t rly align w my values or vibe. Tbh none of them seemed like a perfect fit; kd seemed too fun to take anything seriously and the kappa girls seemed a little standoffish and cliquey even during rush. Chi O was also a strong contender but a little more jesus-y than I was used to. I’m not gonna say which house I ended up going, but I think my rho chi gave me the best possible advice after sisterhood when she said, “go to the house that you’d feel most comfortable throwing up in.” I think ab that a lot idk.

My experience is something I want to mention. The final two houses I had were polar opposites. One was a tip-top house that countless pnms dreamed of and the other was a mid-range house filled with very nice girls. I won't go into detail to give the houses away, but I will say I struggled with my choice. At the time I definitely could see a fit in both houses. It made me realize my personality, likes and values were not leaning all in one true direction. (That is why people say you can fit in any house at Bama and find your family) I struggled on what to choose and I mean struggled, but I could see reasons for choosing either. For me, one week and quick visits were not enough to make this decision, but I did. I had a roommate and we were not the best match. She had one of the same final two as me and she wanted one house with certainty. I think that is what helped me make the decision and I chose the opposite house. I was nervous making the selection this way, but I was lucky with the choice I made. It ended up being a great house for me with everything I could have hoped for. You just have to find your own way through the experience and that's what I did.

Before recruitment I judged sororities based on their Instagram posts, if I liked the look of their house and even if I liked the look of their letters. I wanted a house that began with Alpha and had three letters. I’m definitely looking back and laughing at how ridiculous it was to think that. I didn’t understand how different the houses would be and how recruitment goes.
Going through I really loved Theta and AOPi. I didn’t tell anyone because girls would bash these houses a lot in the tents. I felt at home and relaxed in both. I chose one and I love it so much.

I joined KKG last year and dropped 4 weeks later. They are were mean and exclusive. I dropped with 3 other girls. Not in a house now but my little sister is going through next year so I'm trying to tell her not to follow any of the tent talk or these stupid ranks. The fact that GR ranks them at the top makes me wonder who is doing the ranks.
I am so mad at myself. I have a great group of friends but a part of me will always feel like I missed out a bit. I should have followed my heart and not peer pressure.

Wanted DDD. Didn't get DDD. Still kinda want DDD.
They are the top house here because Southern, OOS and OOR girls all want a bid from them and they are less regional than other OR houses and smart enough to just take the top girls no matter where they are from. They are also never on GR because they don't care which makes them even better. I like my house ok but...

I knew I wanted KD all through rush and ended up going KD. I’m from the south but definitely not the deep south, several family members are legacies however so it was really important to me to go KD. While I’ve really enjoyed the last couple years, it’s true that most of the girls are from deep south (AL, GA, LA, TX, MS, SC) and have already chosen their friend groups before bid day. Everyone has always been nice to me and there’s no real drama, but I definitely feel excluded oftentimes and it was rly difficult for me to find a friend group. I wouldn’t say it’s a bad idea for OOS girls to go KD or Kappa, but you just have to be willing to really put yourself out there and put in the work to meet these girls. If I could do rush over again, I would maybe either have pushed myself the summer before rush to meet girls and make friends that way or maybe have been more open minded toward houses like DDD and XO.