Sorority Recruitment at Vanderbilt
It’s that time of the year again. I’m not talking about the holidays, finals, or the first snowfall, but rather, I’m talking about sorority recruitment. Vanderbilt has winter recruitment, which begins right before second semester instead of before first semester like many other universities. This way, freshmen can navigate new coursework, a new state, new friends, and new everything without having to worry about sorority recruitment.
I joined my sorority as a sophomore so this is my first year on the other side of the recruitment process. If you are thinking of going through recruitment at Vanderbilt, this post will tell you all you need to know about the process and answer any questions you may have about recruitment.
The first time you will likely see all the sorority women together is at Founder’s Walk, a Vanderbilt tradition for all first years. Here, you will be greeted and cheered on by a bunch of girls wearing their sorority shirts. This is a fun experience and it’s exciting to see what you could be a part of in the future if you choose to do so.
Next, there is Panhellenic Preview Day in November, which is basically a “practice” round of recruitment where you go to each house to meet the girls. This is a great way to see if the process is right for you and to get to know the different houses to see where you feel most comfortable.
Throughout the entire process, you will have a recruitment counselor, who is an upperclassman that is there to support you in any way you need. This person will answer all of your questions, no matter how silly they may seem to you!
Right after winter break, formal recruitment begins. During this time, there are four rounds, each falling on a different day. The whole process takes two weekends. Each round has a different theme and dress code, all of which you will be informed about before the process starts.
Although recruitment can seem intimidating, it is beneficial that it is not until the second semester so that you have a chance to get your bearings before you are thrown into yet another a new situation. Also, you will likely recognize girls in each house from class, student organizations, or other places on campus. This will make the process more comfortable and genuine because it’s always nice to see a familiar face!
However, if you do not choose to go through recruitment, there are many other student organizations or ways to meet new people. I was not in a sorority until January of my sophomore year, and I turned out just fine! I have a great group of friends, academic support, fun roommates, and enjoy all that Vanderbilt has to offer both outside of and inside of the Greek life community.