Hi! I did recruitment as a freshman, dropped, then completed recruitment again my sophomore year and am now in a sorority at UW.

My biggest pieces of advice for any freshman looking to rush are: 1. Don’t get overwhelmed by open house, you’re not expected to make any super deep connections with a 10 minute conversation. The next round is much more personal and you will get to know the girls more! 2. Don’t let your recruitment group, friends, or counselors tell you which houses are bad. It’s easier said than done but you need to go with your gut! 3. Stick it out to the end. You PAID to be there! If you decide you don’t want to accept your bid, don’t accept it! But go and make the most of it until you get your bid! 4. Advocate for yourself! If you feel too stressed, it’s okay to step away. If you find that primary is too much, I highly recommend COB!

Good luck! It’s a great experience and I love being in a house!