Boots on Parade: An Outsider’s Experience with Sorority Recruitment

Just for kicks: The title was inspired by “Bulls on Parade” by Rage Against the Machine.  (Not that the song has anything to do with sorority recruitment. It really doesn’t.)

Mostly due to the persuasive nature of a friend from my English class last semester, I registered to go through sorority recruitment. Like a large majority of girls, I entered college swearing off all things Greek, my opinions poisoned by standard stereotypes. I told myself I would never fit in with any of those girls (not that I wanted to, anyway) and that I was absolutely not interested in being herded into a group with women I had nothing in common with. My persuasive friend reminded me nothing of the clichés I had associated with sorority life, and because of this, I softened to the idea.

I attended a philanthropy event months ago, simply to see my options and scope out any potential favorite houses. At first, I had trouble relaxing at the event, as I was unfortunately in running shorts, an OSU Crew shirt, and my Brooks, having just come from rowing practice. Everyone else (and oh boy, do I mean everyone) was dressed impeccably. Stylish coats, light scarves, blouses or a shirt displaying their sorority’s letters, an assortment of slim jeans or leggings, and the most memorable piece, boots, were commonplace. It was at this event that I realized how important clothing would be to the process. And I love to dress up. I love decorum.

In meeting women from each sorority, I found some more engaging and conversant than others, but everyone was kind and welcoming. As the skeptical being that I can be, I tried my best to avoid the frilliest displays while also convinced that sororities were not just for “girly-girls” (if you will). I found three favorites and went on my way, elated to find out more about the process.

I attended an information session on the process prior to Ohio State’s holiday break with my roommates, who were to go through recruitment as well. I felt excited as well as uncomfortable among the hundreds of girls around me, and I am not a self-conscious person! It was such an odd feeling–how could I, someone who never questions herself, feel timid in a room full of strangers? Once again, I was the only one within a reasonable radius that was not wearing boots and I fixated on this. With a laugh, I innocently asked my roommates, “Are tall boots a requirement for this?” I sat tensely through a presentation that discouraged me a bit. Among other topics, we were given broad guidelines of topics not to talk about if we wanted to be called back to a house and fashion guidelines, both of which I accepted. However, each time we were given yet another parameter, I sank further into my seat. Could I even live up to these standards? I’m not even sure if I liked what these models were wearing. What does “snappy casual” even mean? Why does it matter if someone tells a member of a sorority what religion they are?

I tried desperately to focus on the array of positive things that were to come from sorority recruitment: the service/philanthropy opportunities, the community aspect, etc. Accidentally listening into a conversation in from of me, I heard two boot-clad students rejoicing over the amount of alcohol they were to consume at the sorority and fraternity parties. I then caught the statement of another girl beside them: “Why else would anyone join a sorority?” Gritting my teeth, I suppressed the desire to believe that girls only joined sororities for, as the presentation put it, “booze and boys.”

Slightly panicking as I returned to my dorm, I wondered if I really wanted to join a sorority. Was I only doing it to expand my social identity? Make more friends? Not let my already-in-a-sorority friends and roommates down? Appease my constant need to “do things?” The lingering feeling that I did not belong felt like a signal that I would be better off not rushing. I ignored the signal and bought a new pair of high heels for rush over holiday break.

In returning to school from break, having done research on sororities and relaxed a bit, I had put my insecurities behind me and was ready to rush. Or so I thought. The first email I received on the subject, a friendly “are you excited for this weekend?” email, pushed me over the edge. Inches from sobbing, I walked into my roommate’s room and exclaimed, “I DON’T WANT TO RUSH ANYMORE!” She smiled sympathetically and said, “Neither do I. It’s too expensive.”

The same roommate and I spent that weekend together, working out and grocery shopping. On our way to Kroger, we walked through a giant assemblage of girls in boots, filing into our Student Union. “Do you see this?” I said with a deep, exasperated breath, followed by a loud laugh. “I never would have gone past the first round. I don’t have boots.”

My other three roommates and a large number of my other friends involved in rushing have thoroughly enjoyed themselves, finding sororities that they truly love and wish to invest their time in. Everyone involved in the Pan-Hellenic Association and each sorority was warm and openhearted. When asked why I was dropping out of recruitment, I could only cite the money involved and my lack of available time and sanity. Recruitment, at times, may seem like one extravagant parade of physical appearance and personality facades. However, as I have learned from the outside, this is only a shallow observation of the process, and that people are inside those boots.

Sorority recruitment is the forming of a sisterhood. Thanks to my (brief) experience with recruitment, my opinion is forever changed.