4 Things to Know About Rushing in College

Many first-year students enter college with the same question: What is "rushing"?

Also called recruitment, rushing refers to the process of seeking membership in a fraternity or sorority. Greek life can offer many benefits, including lifelong friendships, networking opportunities, and chances to engage in meaningful community service.

However, rushing a fraternity or sorority can also require a lot of work and a significant time commitment. This is why it's important to know what to expect before you get started.

1. Prepare to Make a Good First Impression

During rush week, fraternities and sororities host events and give new students their first chance to meet members. To make the best first impression, be respectful and personable, make eye contact, and try your hardest to remember the names of the people you meet.

One of the best ways to make your mark during fraternity or sorority recruitment is to ask a lot of questions. Greek life members want to share their experiences with you. At the same time, be prepared to answer their questions, talk about yourself and your interests, and demonstrate that you've done your research on the organizations.

You'll likely find yourself talking to a lot of people when you go through Greek recruitment. Members of a fraternity or sorority will meet later to discuss whom they want to admit. You may need to make a good impression with a dozen people or more during the recruitment process in order to secure an invitation to join, also known as a bid.

In general, sorority rush features more structure than fraternity rush. Sorority recruitment often involves several rounds of meetings or events with each chapter, which can feel like a series of interviews.

2. Keep an Open Mind

Many students who rush Greek life end up joining a different fraternity or sorority than the one they initially liked best. With this in mind, keep an open mind to all possibilities when rushing in college.

As you consider your decision, figure out which organization you connect with the most and don't let others influence or pressure you. While you may find it helpful to ask friends or family members for advice, try to choose a fraternity or sorority that has a good reputation and engages in activities and service projects that interest you.

Most importantly, think about which organization will help you achieve your goals.

While making friends and having fun are important, it's critical that you do your research to determine whether organizations have been subject to school sanctions or involved in any legal issues. Also, consider each organization's alumni networks and what members have accomplished after graduation.

3. Consider the Time Commitment

Depending on the organization, fraternity or sorority rush can last several weeks. While it may be fun, it can also take a toll on your mental health and make it difficult to keep up with your academics and extracurricular activities. You'll need to block off a considerable amount of time to focus on rushing.

Missing an event that a fraternity or sorority is hosting could affect your chances of receiving a bid from that organization. Members look for candidates who will remain active over the next four years and typically look to weed out those who may be too busy to participate in Greek life.

You can still get work done when rushing a frat or sorority by staying organized and choosing a manageable class schedule.

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4. Weigh the Pros and Cons of Greek Life

For many students, membership in a fraternity or sorority is one of the most memorable parts of their college experience. That said, there are many factors to consider before deciding whether Greek life is right for you.

On the positive side, rushing gives you networking opportunities that can propel your career after you graduate. Greek organizations can help you connect with businesses and professionals as you search for summer internships and employment opportunities after college.

Fraternities and sororities also engage in community service. These experiences can be incredibly fulfilling and allow you to make a difference in your community.

On the other hand, hazing activities are often part of fraternity and sorority rush. While the practice is officially prohibited — and Greek life leadership has curbed hazing in recent years — hazing still happens. The ritual can be physically, emotionally, and mentally difficult, not to mention downright dangerous.

Membership in a Greek organization can also be expensive. Dues alone can run thousands of dollars per semester.

Do your research and consider the factors involved in rushing a frat or sorority.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rushing in College