Photo by: Andrew Fielding

After growing up with an anti-establishment mom and a nerdy introvert dad, rushing for a sorority was not at the top of my list. However, after talking to my roommate, who had filled her application out three months ago, I was finally swayed to apply.

I filled out the questionnaire, uploaded the photo, and paid the $25 dollars. Was it worth it? Three crying fits, four nice outfits and hours upon hours of small talk later, I made it.

The first day’s garb was casual-cute and, with that, I threw on a nice pair of jeans, a decent shirt and a pair of cowboy boots to set me apart from the crowd. Compared to the uptight nervous reaction from the majority of girls, I felt relaxed. We quickly learned the rules of the game and made our way over to Josephine.

I was given a nametag and walked into the first stop on our journey: Alpha Phi. And that’s when the singing began. Each house has a repertoire of songs that are performed at the beginning and end of their parties.

Every girl I spoke to throughout the night was poised and sweet.  Unfortunately, the ambient noise of 50 other girls trying to sell themselves in the background became quite a challenge as the night progressed. I continued on to four more houses. I quipped little jokes to my hosts about how I was becoming an excellent lip reader, and they would laugh accordingly. I was laying low, enjoying free food and meeting new people.

After walking in a silent line to Driscoll Underground, I quickly realized why the other girls had been so fervent on selling themselves: this wasn’t just a way to get into a cute house, associate yourself with a group of girls and fill that philanthropic urge. This was identity completion.

To my suprise, my competitive side was aroused.  I ran back to my dorm for urgent discussion with my friends. Which ones were we going to cross off? The next day I was excited to see if I was bid on. Was I likeable, attractive, smart and funny? Had I made the cut?

I had gotten a bid from all four houses on my list. Unfortunately I had to overhear that a girl from my group had been cut all together, not just one bid. This made me question whether this was truly for me or whether this was a way for girls to harshly judge other girls without consequences.

 I decided to stay in and two days later, I filled out my top two choices, Gamma Phi Betta and Alpha Phi. I opened what I thought would have been my slip of victory and found only one name: Delta Gamma. My tear ducts started to well and then I quickly realized that DG had also been in my top list and that everything would be alright. It wasn’t so much the blow that I didn’t get my top two houses, it was more the little wound to my self-esteem.

After a weekend of wondering if I’d get the bid, I finally got the news on Tuesday night. Now, the next decision– to pledge or not to pledge? Regardless of what I decide, visiting Delta Gamma’s house for the fourth night assured me that no matter what sorority you are in on DU’s campus, they will make you feel at home and truly part of a family.