Martha Jackson: 0:07

Welcome to the Bubble Lounge. I'm Martha Jackson, and joining me today is Chloe Walsh, who is working with us this summer as our assistant producer, and she's also our guest today. Welcome to the show, chloe. Thank you so much. I'm so excited to be here.

Martha Jackson: 0:20

So today we're talking about sorority recruitment. Everyone that I know because we just had seniors that graduate have daughters that are preparing for it and they're getting their outfits together and getting their recs and the letters together and everything. And Chloe just completed her first year at the University of Texas and went through all this one year ago, so she's going to tell us all about her experience.

Chloe Walsh: 0:41

I'm so excited today. I'm incredible to speak to you all about this because I had a perfect rush, meaning that each day I was invited to go back to the maximum number of houses, and I'm super excited to talk about it. I know it's a huge. People look at it as stressful, but it's really something to be excited about and have great conversation with girls, and I can't wait to get into it with y'all.

Martha Jackson: 1:02

Well, I always say it's kind of like dating you, It's a mutual back and forth. If it's the right fit, you just know in your heart. If it's not, it's okay, Just move on. You know no loss. Just it's so important to find that place where you feel good about yourself.

Chloe Walsh: 1:15

Right, absolutely Okay, so let's just get into it. I know what y'all are stressing about the most is outfits, and the best advice I can give y'all is to start shopping now, because I remember I waited to get my outfits altered and I needed to get them altered for the week, and some great places are Anna's alterations. Also, unique tailors are some great places. So, yeah, i think I'm going to go through the day by day breakdown about outfits. So I'm going to preface it with I am at the University of Texas and I'm a pi beta fi there, so my experience will mainly be from Texas.

Chloe Walsh: 1:53

First day is open house and call opening convocation day. This day was a day that we wore workout clothes and you don't see any of the houses, so no sorority girls see you at all, and the rogue ams, or the girls who disassociate from their sororities, are basically your guide throughout the week. They're helping you like deal with the app that they give you to make when you would eventually have to make the cuts for the houses, and so these are called the rogue ams.

Martha Jackson: 2:19

Let me ask a quick question, because I mean, it was a very long time ago that I went through rush myself that we didn't have those first two days Like we actually went to the houses. How are you taking a look at them? Is it on video? You, they, so they?

Chloe Walsh: 2:32

the rogue ams walk. You take you on a walking tour of each house. So definitely wear comfortable shoes. Girls wore like hokas or their Nike running shoes And then you will go back to. It was called the UTC, which is the teaching center at Texas, and we watched 13 videos of the 13 different sororities and the videos were just the sorority girls giving an intro like Hey, this is our sorority, this is our philanthropy, like blah, blah, blah. So then after that you make your first round of cuts and that's on open house day. The next two days are philanthropy days. These are the days the first time you get to go to the house.

Chloe Walsh: 3:14

Depending on the college, if there are more sororities, you might have three philanthropy days. Like I know Alabama had three but Texas only had two. So you could have like X amount of houses on the first day and then, like majority of your house is the second day or vice versa. It just depends. That first philanthropy day your eye wore the t-shirt Texas gave us. It said like Texas panel in it on it. Super cute. But I wore a white Lulam and athletic skirt And then that was the first day, and then the second day, and then I aired out that t-shirt the first day because you're hot.

Martha Jackson: 3:50

I would imagine it was that.

Chloe Walsh: 3:51

Yeah, i sprayed it with perfume. But the second day I wore like a cuter skirt that I got from Baldwin bread and it was like a skirt in the front and shorts in the back. But a bunch of girls wore like revolve white bottoms or different brands. So those are for the philanthropy days. Okay. Moving on is sisterhood.

Chloe Walsh: 4:12

So this was my personally my favorite round of rush, just because the energy is like super high. It's like the first day that you get to wear a dress. So this dress can be cocktail length and it's usually no like try not to show any cutouts or like super, super tight. It's really just more of a cute, bright, colored sundress, and I linked in the blog post a bunch of cute inspirations for these dresses, anything like super bright, colorful, flowy. For sisterhood round And for Texas we were narrowed down to six because after your two days of philanthropy you make a cut. So then the house is if they want you back, you will go to those.

Chloe Walsh: 4:57

For sisterhood. It's usually a shorter day but longer conversations at sisterhood, okay. And then for sisterhood I also wore like comfortable, cute tennis shoes. Then after sisterhood you make your cut down to two for PrEP night. Prep night is more of an emotional night. I wore a black dress for PrEP night but depending on your college, some colleges they'll tell you will be colorful dresses, but Texas we wore black dresses with heels And I'm gonna get into it later. But for your bag that Texas gives you that you carry from house to house. I put flip-flops in my bag because heels I was not about to walk all the way in heels You cannot walk in all the way to those.

Chloe Walsh: 5:42

So yeah, that's kind of an overrun on the outfits for each day. And then bid day is where your favorite favorite dress because you're going to get a million photos in it that you will frame and put in your dorm Super bright, colorful sun dress, kind of like sisterhood, but I would do the dress you like more on bid day. And then those were comfortable tennis shoes like cute sneakers because you're running to the house from the UTC.

Martha Jackson: 6:07

Well, a lot has changed since my day. I mean, that's very interesting to hear how it's changed, because we were in person all day, every day and that crazy energy that you're talking about when they're singing, clapping and lining up in rows. That went on every day that we went. It was rather overwhelming.

Chloe Walsh: 6:24

I know you kind of have to adjust your eardrums, Yeah, yeah it's a lot, So I thought it was interesting.

Martha Jackson: 6:30

You also were talking with me about jewelry and you had a really good idea about jewelry.

Chloe Walsh: 6:35

Okay, yeah so jewelry is such a fun aspect of Rush because the first philanthropy days you're wearing a t-shirt, so jewelry is really the only way that you can show your personality. One of my favorite accessories I wore was a necklace from Jenny Baker Designs that had my name on it And it was white letters and like pearl And I thought it was so smart because you're not just meeting the sorority girls in the house, but you are walking around Austin with all of the other rushies And it's such a fun way to meet people A lot of girls are like too caught up in. Oh my gosh, what am I gonna talk about in the sorority house When really you could be making friends like outside of the sorority house, just walking around and having that my name on my necklace I think helps some girls who totally didn't remember my name.

Martha Jackson: 7:24

Of course, yeah.

Chloe Walsh: 7:25

So that was a fun way. Also, i went with like more simple studs for my earrings, because sometimes you're running from house to house And if you have big swinging earrings, it can be kind of a hassle, kind of weigh you down, right That makes sense, just like fun bracelets. Gemma Collection is one of my favorite jewelry stores. It's in Steiner Plaza And then, like I said earlier, jenny Baker Designs is great jewelry for rush.

Martha Jackson: 7:50

Perfect. Well, i know a lot of people get really stressed. They don't know what to talk about, and I just remember grinding my teeth so badly that my jaws just like hurt so bad by the time bid day came up. But you actually have some really good tips on how to enjoy it, okay.

Chloe Walsh: 8:06

So how to enjoy rush? First of all, do not stress about the conversations, because it's all in the sorority girl. They know what they're supposed to talk about with you And if it ever gets awkward this is my favorite trick at all I would just ask them, like, where are your favorite steady spots on campus? Or what are some great restaurants here? Or what are some like, who was your favorite professor this year? I think that's such a great way to like move the conversation along and if it's being awkward, totally like get a benefit out of it. I mean, you're there, you might as well find out good classes to take or great clubs to join or great study spots on campus, and that gets. It shows the sorority girl that you're interested in what she thinks.

Martha Jackson: 8:55

Sure, sure. Well, on the flip side, is there anything that you would say you should avoid? as far as topics go, Yes, avoid.

Chloe Walsh: 9:03

It was like called the three B's. It was like boys booze and bars, Yeah, yeah yeah, avoid those conversations. But those they're not brought up by the sorority girl, and if they are, that's typically a red flag.

Martha Jackson: 9:19

Maybe that's not the best place.

Chloe Walsh: 9:21

Right, yeah, avoid the three B's, sounds good.

Martha Jackson: 9:25

Chloe, these are all really, really great tips and I just want to talk about, like kind of the other side. Like, for example, you had a perfect rush, but not everyone gets that opportunity, and just how, how do the girls handle disappointment? because a lot of times they will feel like a place was a good fit for them and then maybe they get cut and They feel that devastation. But do you have any recommendations for anyone that's going through that? Yeah, absolutely.

Chloe Walsh: 9:51

If you get cut from a sorority, it's not on you at all, it's more. Just maybe it wasn't the right fit and at the end of the day, you're gonna have friends in every sorority. Every sorority is a great sorority. You can't make a mistake. And also one of my favorite quotes is instead of stressing about something, be grateful for it.

Chloe Walsh: 10:12

And if you really make your mindset that going in like instead of oh no, all these houses, but I'll make it cut like, just be grateful that you get to rush and that at the end of the day, you're gonna end up with a great house of girls and you're gonna have connections for life and just girls who love you and you can love on them and have a support system. In my freshman dorm, there were four different sororities represented on my floor and I loved each and every one of them, and so at the end of the day, i just think be grateful for the opportunity to rush and if it doesn't work out, let's ponder on it for two minutes and then wipe the clear of our head and put a smile on our face and just be happy that we're there and just trust that you got cut by a house and it was meant to be and you will end up where you're supposed to be.

Martha Jackson: 10:58

Right. Well, it kind of goes back to that dating thing that I always like to refer back to is if it's not a mutual fit you know, you're not gonna be happy, so you have to want them as much as they want you to find that, that perfect home, i guess.

Chloe Walsh: 11:11

Right, absolutely.

Martha Jackson: 11:13

So we're all thinking about what to put in our little bag or like our emergency kit the little things that we can carry with us while we're walking around, and most places are pretty hot during this time of year, so tell us what you recommend us take along.

Chloe Walsh: 11:27

Okay, here is what I recommended put in my bag. It's also a bunch of these are linked on the blog post. So, first things first, a mini fan. I know in Austin it gets so hot, and so having a mini fan is super key. A portable charger as well. A mini brush. Perfume, comfy shoes I'm touched on this earlier when I was talking about PrEP night, but comfy shoes to walk in between houses, so I had a pair of flip flops that I could just pop on after I left a house. Breath mint is a great idea.

Martha Jackson: 11:59

You're having lots of conversations with lots of girls.

Chloe Walsh: 12:02

Your mouth gets very dry Right and also there's water outside of. I just thought about this. There's water outside of. There should be water outside of all the sorority houses.

Martha Jackson: 12:11

So I was gonna say, should we have a bottle of water? right?

Chloe Walsh: 12:14

but yeah, that takes up a bunch of space in the bag and so don't stress about that.

Chloe Walsh: 12:19

Mini spray deodorant is a great idea. And then makeup wise, i did a mini powder and brush because you think you have more time, like if I were to say to bring makeup, it would bring, it would be powder, because you don't have as much time as you think to go into the house like to get ready. And then last thing is oil blotting sheets. I get super oily and so this was you can get them at CVS there a lifesaver. That is such. So yeah, that's what I have in the bag.

Martha Jackson: 12:48

Well, perfect. Well, chloe has put together a blog post that will be on bubble lounge dot net and I'll link it in the show notes, but she's included some really great information. She's just kind of expanded our conversation here with lots of resources for you all. I want to go back to conversations, because that's one of the main things that I hear. A lot of the girls that are about to go through rush say that they just they're nervous. They don't know what to talk about. You're a very confident person, you're very easy to talk to you, but a lot of girls get nervous and they kind of clam up. Do you have any tips of how they can kind of mentally prepare what they would like to say to in order to present their best selves? I would say definitely.

Chloe Walsh: 13:25

Just think about what you want to put forward. before you're walking into the house. you do have a lot of time, like when you're lined up before the doors open, to just sit there and think, and I think that they really just want to see you and just see your most authentic self. so I wouldn't, don't think about what you think the sorority wants to hear. sure, i would just really focus on telling your own story and Um, and if it's a right fit for that house, the conversation should feel natural.

Chloe Walsh: 13:59

And it should feel like you're supposed to be there And that you're wanted, and if it feels like it's fake, almost if the conversation feels like you're talking but you're not saying anything, right, i don't think that's the right fit. And Rush is all about. You know where does your heart want to go, not about what your mom went or what you know, like it should all just feel supernatural.

Martha Jackson: 14:25

Sure well, we've interviewed Shaysides several times before, and one of the things that we joked about in our last interview was it would be really cool if they could just take the letters off the house. And it was like a blind test, like you had no idea.

Martha Jackson: 14:39

I think that that would make a huge difference, because we all get caught up, i would almost say brand names, like you hear, these top houses and you kind of get hung up on, i have to be in that one instead of that one, whereas it might not actually be the right fit for you.

Chloe Walsh: 14:54

I'm glad you brought that up because I was seeing the other day top houses, what girls consider as a top house is. So it's all based on your perspective of, like, okay, out of state girls are gonna have different view of what's a top house and in state girls are super tiny towns, are gonna have a different view on what's a top house. And also you just kind of have to decide for yourself like, okay, are the kindest girls gonna be at the top house, or like, the prettiest girls, or what the boys are saying is the top house. You just kind of have to decide for yourself okay, i wanna be a part. Like, for me, i joined PIEFI because I had the utmost respect for the girls and the great above me and the great above them and the seniors who just graduated, and for me, in my mind, piefi was the top house because those were the girls that I respected and wanted to be like and were the kindest in my Well, that's so good that you, that you were able to know so many people ahead of time.

Martha Jackson: 15:52

That makes such a difference. Like when I went to OU, I only knew like one or two other people and I ended up going to the sorority that I wanted and I was very happy about that. But that's really neat that you knew so many, because that makes such a difference. and just kind of tying in with that, i've heard that the way everyone gets to know each other now is pretty much on Instagram, that everyone follows each other and that way you can kind of get a feel of what everyone's like.

Chloe Walsh: 16:20

And it's funny you said that because going into college it's like man my friends talked about.

Chloe Walsh: 16:26

You follow each other on Instagram, like you see the UT 27 on Instagram and you're like the best way to meet people and like that first week when Rush hasn't started and you're just in Austin is being like upfront and being like oh my gosh, i follow you Like we don't really know each other yet but it's so nice to meet you And just like just being vulnerable and just not putting up walls because at the end of the day y'all both know you follow each other and you both know that you've seen each other's pictures Right well, I would think that would be a good conversation starter because, like if you went to Greece this summer, you could talk about that Absolutely.

Martha Jackson: 17:03

Yeah, you can kind of get a peek into what they were up to and talk about that. I think that's awesome, absolutely. One thing that I remember when I went through Rush and I was on the other side is that there was a very intense process as far as matching up somebody that was a current member with a prospective new member, and the way that the lines matched up and you got synchronized with someone that you had something in common with, and I was just curious do they still do that?

Chloe Walsh: 17:30

Yes, so I'm glad you brought that up. So the person that you're gonna talk to in the house so P&Ms are potential new members and then current members are obviously the current members in the house And so when you're walking in they're not just gonna put you with your best like, for example, they wouldn't just put me with my best Highland Park older friend on the first and the very beginning of Rush, because I already know them. They wanna show off their other members of the sorority so you can really get a feel for the whole pledge cost above you. So there's a whole process like behind the scenes for the current members and they will say you're on Student Council for like a West Lake school. Then they're gonna put you with a P&M who was on Student Council at Highland Park.

Chloe Walsh: 18:15

So you will have something to talk about or there will be something in common. Like you both were on a drill team together, both were on the soccer team at different schools. So you will have something in common with the girl that you're talking to which should ease the pressure of oh my gosh, i don't know what I'm gonna talk about. Like we have nothing. I don't even know this person, but it should flow up really naturally.

Martha Jackson: 18:38

Well, i've heard kind of mixed information. As far as you know, i've written a lot of recs and letters this summer and some people say, oh, the girls don't even read that. It's just more of a formality of something that you need to do is to have that rec and the letter and the photos and everything to go in. But how closely do the girls on your side look at all that information?

Chloe Walsh: 19:02

Well, I haven't been through that side yet. I'm gonna start that in August.

Martha Jackson: 19:06

I know we're gonna talk about that this time next year. Oh yeah, yes, listen in.

Chloe Walsh: 19:12

But it's definitely also I mean girls from Highland Park. Girls know you at Texas especially And like, if you know, like one person like they'll say, like you can trust, your older friend will be like oh my gosh, this is Samantha, she's so cute, she does this, this and this in high school. She's awesome. And so there should be peace in knowing that older girls are telling their friends like the positives about you and want to look forward about meeting you during rush.

Martha Jackson: 19:43

Well, it's really important to have an insider pulling for you right, absolutely, that just really increases your chances of people getting to know you. It's almost like a Like you're a politician and you have somebody on the inside. That's like marketing you right, it's really important to have that, so you do need to be kind of working it and getting to know everyone, whether it's on Instagram or in person.

Chloe Walsh: 20:09

And I'm glad you brought up Instagram because also this summer is a good chance to have like clean up your Instagram is basically the easiest way to say it. I know girls from other schools who have gotten like cut from certain sororities because they had some risky things on their Instagram. So just make sure there's nothing too crazy out there.

Martha Jackson: 20:28

So I've heard no red cups, no bikinis, anything else Um.

Chloe Walsh: 20:35

I think you covered it Really Yeah.

Martha Jackson: 20:38

You can use your imagination Right Best judgment.

Chloe Walsh: 20:41

Right, clean up that Instagram.

Martha Jackson: 20:42

What if you have a daughter that doesn't post very much on Instagram?

Chloe Walsh: 20:47

I would say I mean, it's only gonna help you if you're active on Instagram. Then it's another chance for the sororities to see who you are, what you're doing this summer.

Chloe Walsh: 20:56

That could be potential conversation starters for Rush Right, Like we talked about earlier Right And also, um, i was, so I never knew if I was supposed to as a P&M over the summer last summer. I never knew if I was supposed to follow the sorority counts on um Instagram, and so the rule that I kind of went by was like either follow every sorority or no sorority. Oh, sure That makes sense.

Chloe Walsh: 21:20

And just kind of definitely look at the social medias to see, kind of like, who the girls are, what their vibe is. But um bad idea to just follow one sorority or two sororities or three sororities. That makes perfect sense.

Martha Jackson: 21:30

Well, along those lines. I've kind of peeked on some of the sororities just to see what it's like now.

Chloe Walsh: 21:37

Oh my God, they're like super models And they're in bikinis and they're like on boats and they just look so gorgeous Like I almost find that kind of intimidating Right, you have to keep in mind along with the social media that just because, like a sorority, social media says this, like you just have to be careful of what's real and what's not, because there's definitely, like, it's definitely, sometimes it can be a front or something. You just have to. That's why Rush is so important Going in with a clear mindset, because you never know, like, what reality is and what's not. Sure, sure. Well, what are some of your final points?

Martha Jackson: 22:15

just to wrap things, up and what do you want to leave the listeners with?

Chloe Walsh: 22:22

So my first final point is that most stress during Rush comes from the girls in your dorm talking about it. Oh my gosh, the chitter, chatter, right, it can be so much. So just listen to your own horror and try to just drown out the noise and, like group girls like to make group chats during Rush week or during those first few weeks. So just drown that out and just truly go with your gut. Well, it's almost like an athlete Like you see at the Olympics.

Martha Jackson: 22:44

They're sitting in the corner by themselves with their earphones on listening to their music Right, just trying to drown out the world. Absolutely. I must need to figure out your own version of that, absolutely. And along with that, no one knows you better than your mom.

Chloe Walsh: 22:54

And so sometimes, when it's when you want to isolate, you know you're not going to be able to do that And it's when you want to isolate yourself and have your own thoughts, like it was nice during Rush to just talk to my mom and be like okay, like I don't really, i just want to debrief this and just your mom's like there to help you, but at the end of the day, is your own decision. I mean, whenever our moms rushed, it was rush is so different than it was now, than it was 1020 30 years ago, yeah.

Martha Jackson: 23:26

So yeah, that was my second point You need to be really careful about talking with among the girls saying, oh my gosh, i love Kappa the best, because that could potentially get back somehow.

Chloe Walsh: 23:37

Right.

Martha Jackson: 23:38

So you need to be real careful about mentioning specifics.

Chloe Walsh: 23:40

Also, freshman year, you're assigned rooms and I promise you you will be best friends with the girls you live around So and the girls who live closest to you, no matter what. So, when you're choosing your sorority, do it based off the girls you like, truly respect and want to model yourself after and have the same values as you, because if you're worried about going, what I have to go with my roommate goes, or I have to go with what the girls across the hall go, you're going to be best friends with everyone who lives around you, no matter what Right, right, which is a good thing to keep in mind.

Martha Jackson: 24:10

So we all know that UT is a very popular school in the park cities. A lot of people want to go there. Not everyone gets in the traditional way. A lot of people go the route of ACC Austin Community College And I know that's a completely different experience for those girls that do that. Just so you guys know, boys can pledge fraternities. Girls cannot pledge sororities until they are officially into UT, which I have got to figure out Why that is the case and I'm gonna get to the bottom of that.

Martha Jackson: 24:36

But, chloe, tell me what you know about the girls that are doing the ACC route as far as rush goes.

Chloe Walsh: 24:41

Absolutely So for the girls going ACC. some of my best friends went the ACC route and just do not fret Like for one. my advice would be to appeal as many times as possible. this summer My sweet mate actually got into Texas the day before rush started.

Martha Jackson: 24:57

When you told me that that gave me so much anxiety. Can you imagine? No.

Chloe Walsh: 25:01

But every girl was like became my crew, like super hero, like we were like okay, let's get you this dress and this dress and it all worked out. But anyways, for the girls who are in ACC, do not worry For all of the. If you're scared about being left out, i would say erase that fear from your head, because all of your friends, all of our date parties, like we, would invite ACC girls as our date to come to our formals and semi formals And you still get like on the wall on your dorm, on your door going into your dorm.

Chloe Walsh: 25:33

It's a big thing at Texas where you put your letters like on your door and we make like Riverbat letters for our.

Martha Jackson: 25:39

ACC friends. Riverbat is the mascot for ACC.

Chloe Walsh: 25:44

Yes, it's honestly cuter because it's a cute little bat instead of like flowers. But yeah, do not fret at all. And also, if you're rushing as a sophomore, sororities have a certain amount of allotted slots for sophomores, so do not stress about that either.

Martha Jackson: 25:57

Yeah, i think many years ago that wasn't the case, but now it's kind of changed And I think that's wonderful because not everyone can go through freshman year.

Martha Jackson: 26:06

Well, good, yeah, thank you for sharing all this information. It's so great And, again, she has put together a really amazing blog that I will post a link in the show notes and you guys can take a look at, and be sure and share this episode with your friends and anyone who can benefit from this information, because Chloe has shared a lot of wonderful insights, information that we're all not privy to, and now we are. So thank you so much for being here. Thank you so much for having me.

Martha Jackson: 26:30

That's been another episode of the Bubble Lounge. I'm Martha Jackson and we'll catch you next time.