GUEST POST | DEALING WITH REJECTION DURING SORORITY RECRUITMENT

Rejection is one of the hardest things to deal with during sorority recruitment. Even the most wanted potential new member will either be rejected or have to reject a chapter a points during formal recruitment. Know that every rejection brings you closer to finding the correct sisterhood for you. Also, know that every rejection has a meaning and it doesn't always mean that they didn't like you.

The sorority matching system is very strange. Sometimes the sororities themselves don't truly understand it. Matching is a mix of checks and balances really. Sorority women have a say and so do potential new members. The lists of every PNM and every sorority are cross-referenced and the next day sorority women and PNMs are given their new lists. Here are some reasons you may not have been called back to your favorite sorority:

Grades | Sorority members often release for grades. Not all sororities are able to take grade risks (so determined by their inter/national organization) so they drop people with GPAs that don't match their requirements, regardless of whether they liked you or not. Typically, grade releases occur between the first and second round of recruitment.

You matched, but not high enough on the list | Sorority members can only take so many people back per day. Each day of recruitment the number of women they take back decreases. This is so they can find the girls who truly match their sisterhood the best. You may have been a match, but not high enough on the list.

This happens when sorority women like you, but they weren't able to grasp enough information about you during the time they talked to you. They girls they really got a lot of information from may have surpassed you on the list of their potential matches and you may have been released because of that.

The worst thing you can ever do is take this as a personal insult. There are so many organizations on your campus you probably match better with a different organization. Dealing with rejection is hard though so here are some tips on dealing with that rejection:

1. Don't let it affect other sororities

There are a number of chapters that do want you, and that is why they invited you back. They deserve the best you that you can be. It may not be amazing to put on a smile and go into their room, but do it. Greek life is about finding your fit, and there is nothing wrong with getting to know the other sororities better. You can always not sign a bid card and get to know the sorority that dropped you more if you feel the need to - but give the other sororities a chance now.

2. Talk to your recruitment counselor

Your Recruitment Counselor can provide you with a wealth of cheeriness on a dull rejection day. Talk to her in private before your next round and see if she can give you a good pep talk!

3. Realize you aren't alone

You aren't the only PNM facing a rejection. Even the most perfect PNM has gotten shot down from a sorority; and even if they haven't they won't be going back to all of the chapters.

My last piece of advice for you going into recruitment is not to sell yourself short! Don't burn bridges looking at certain chapters. Open your eyes to all of them! If you are too set on your prize you may have to pick up the pieces if your prized sorority doesn't invite you back. Be equally as interested in learning about the entire Greek process because no matter the letter, we are all in this together!

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Thanks Amanda for another great guest post! As a note, Amanda really hit the nail on the head with this article. No matter what, every PNM is going to face rejection during recruitment. It is very rare that anyone has a perfect recruitment. My best advice to you is to go into recruitment with an open mind. Do your research of the sororities ahead of time, but really take the time to get to know the members during recruitment. You may be joining an organization, but what really makes the experience worthwhile are the people in the organization. You may surprise yourself by where you end up!

P.S. Still looking for tips on what to wear and how to make it through the process? Check out these posts (1 | 2) and my Pinterest board dedicated to recruitment!