Plainsman's Pointers | Panhellenic Playbook

From Toomer’s Corner to eagle flights to game day chants, Auburn adores its traditions, and as August grows near, the campus waits in anticipation for one of its most beloved: Panhellenic recruitment. In only two short weeks, over 2,000 girls will step onto campus to weather long walks in Auburn heat, loud parties and polished conversations all for the promise of sisterhood and lifelong community. Recruitment can be wonderful, but beyond all the fanfare and perfectly coordinated outfits, this process can be equally stressful. 

As someone who has been through this experience and has made lifelong friends in my sorority, I am writing this article to give you five pieces of advice I wish I knew before rushing at Auburn University.

Be yourself 

I understand this first point is arguably the most cliche advice I could give, but it would not be my first point if it was not important. Auburn has one of the most vibrant Panhellenic systems in the nation, offering members the opportunity to grow personally and cultivate lifelong relationships. But those are only possible if you are yourself. 

There are many stereotypes surrounding the Greek system, like you must act or look a certain way to fit in, but I want to tell you there is no “wrong” chapter at Auburn. All 18 chapters, while unique, have one fact in common: Each are comprised of amazing, smart and kind women.  With that in mind, you can be happy in any house, but by being yourself, you get the chance to find your best fit. 

“Be yourself” is not just the nice phrase on your coffee mug; it is the key to everything, especially recruitment. When you are yourself in every party, in every conversation, in every step, you will find your place – and your sisters. When you are authentic, you get to enjoy the best part of being in a sorority: lifelong relationships with girls who cheer you on, empower you and challenge you in the best way. 

So, before you step into each chapter room in August, do not ask yourself if the girls beyond the door will want you back. Instead, ask, “Where do I feel the most like myself?”

Be gracious to others and yourself 

Recruitment week is tiring, overwhelming and sometimes disappointing, so be gracious and remember you are not alone. You will meet many different girls from diverse backgrounds. But no matter where they are from – whether they are a triple legacy or never even thought about rushing – remember that you are all experiencing the same week full of uncertainties, excitement and hope. 

First, make sure you are gracious to yourself. It can be easy to compare yourself to others during recruitment. One minute you are excited to begin this process, but after your first round, you may wonder why you were not invited back to your favorite house, but your best friend was. You may wonder if this would be easier if you had more followers or were wearing the “right” outfit. You may think that everyone around you has it all together, but here is a secret: They do not. 

That fact is not meant to discourage you but instead be a reminder that you are all in this together. Every girl you will meet is wondering, like you, if she is wearing the right dress, if she made the right impression or if her favorite chapter will invite her back. 

So, when you are feeling overwhelmed, remember to be gracious to the girl next to you in line, the girl invited back to your favorite house, the girl behind the chapter room doors and – most of all – yourself. Recruitment can be emotional, but real connection is made through compassion, not competition. 

Make the process yours 

Recruitment is about choosing what is right for you, not about impressing anyone or living up to unreasonable expectations. In rush, you will feel pressure from others, whether through social media, your friends who all like a specific chapter or even your mom – as much as she loves you – who was not even there for your conversations.

Remember the decisions you make during recruitment affect no one but you. Only you know how you felt in each interaction, and only you can make the best decision for yourself. Do not let outside influence keep you from enjoying one of the greatest experiences Auburn has to offer. 

Letters do not define you 

Now, if you persevere, you will finally be at Bid Day and receive your letters, a new home and a new band of sisters to call your own. But regardless of how you feel, remember this day is only the beginning. 

And here is a quiet truth nobody tells you as a freshman: Your Greek letters – while special – do not define you. I hope you wear them proudly throughout your time at Auburn. Those letters represent something bigger than yourself. 

But remember that when you walk across the graduation stage – because it will be here in the blink of an eye – nobody will remember what house you were in or what mixers you went to. In the words of Maya Angelou, they will remember "how you made them feel."

The letters on your Bid Day jersey are something to be proud of. You have to endure highs and lows to finally achieve them. But you do not need those Greek letters to belong. You belong in Auburn right now before you have even stepped on campus. So, lead with a servant heart and represent the letters well – not because they give you value but because you give them value in every chapter meeting, in every class and in every interaction.

Auburn will love you back 

Auburn has many famous sayings, but my absolute favorite is “If you love Auburn, it will love you right back.” Every Auburn Family member is living proof of this, and you will be too. Maybe you run home to your number one house on Bid Day. Maybe you decide that sorority life is not for you. Maybe you are reading this, have watched all the picture-perfect social media posts and now wish you had signed up for recruitment altogether. Regardless of your experience, whether you are in a sorority or not, Auburn will love you back if you let it. 

This week may feel like it will define your entire Auburn experience – and possibly your life. But I am here to say that this week, whether you love or dread it, is a small part of your Auburn story. Your life is not defined by the letters on your shirt – or lack thereof – or by what happens during one week in August. 

Auburn makes room for everyone, and you are no exception. This university offers so much opportunity both in and out of Greek life. I personally have made wonderful friendships with my sorority sisters, and those friendships only parallel with those made in non-Greek organizations, classrooms or even church groups. 

No matter what recruitment looks like for you, you are already part of the Auburn Family. Auburn will love you back – fiercely, faithfully and without remorse. You just have to let it.