As Sam the Overlooked Potential New Member prepares for sorority recruitment, she looks at her college’s Panhellenic website. She scrolls through the different pages looking for advice and a step-by-step plan to get her bid. With each page, she learns some requirements and leaves with more questions. 

• “It says recommendation letters are optional. Do I need recommendation letters? Will they help me?”

• “How do I stand out?”

• “What are members looking for in a new member?”

• “What questions will the members ask me?”

I encourage you look at your college’s Panhellenic website and see if you can find the answer to these questions. 

Next, she turns to TikTok, YouTube, and Google to get advice and answers. Have you done this too?

When Sam gets her invitational schedule for Round 2, she expects to be invited back to the maximum number of sororities, 10. She was only invited to 5. That is devastating! She is panicking!

Why did she not get invited back to 10 sororities? Why did so many of the sororities drop her?

The information she used from TikTok, YouTube, and Google was ADVICE. 

• Did the advice talk about Release Figure Methodology and how the most competitive sororities DROP 70% of ALL potential new members after Round 1?

• Did the advice talk about how to create a MVP social resume to get you a GREAT pre-score?

• Did the advice talk about how to get the members’ attention before sorority recruitment starts?

• Did the advice talk about how to stand out in your conversations and leave the members wanting to speak to you again?

When you depend on Youtube, Google, and TikTok, you prepare like everyone else. You look like everyone else. When you look like everyone else, you do not stand out. When you only use advice to prepare for sorority recruitment, it is like asking a friend, not in your math class, “How do I get an A+ on my test?” Your friend says, “You need to study.” This answer leaves you frustrated, and you think, “What do I need to study? Do I need to go over the practice problems? Should I re-read my notes or focus on the study guide?”

If you asked your teacher, “How do I get an A+ on my test?” She would give you a step-by-step plan. 

#1. Come to class and listen.

#2. Ask questions when we are doing practice problems.

#3. Each night spend 5 minutes reviewing the practice problems. 

#4. Fill out the study guide. It will be very similar to the test. 

To get an A+, you needed to talk to the right person. You need to know the right information and have a plan. To get a bid to a sorority you love, you have to communicate you are the right fit for the sorority before and during sorority recruitment. A step-by-step plan tells you how and when to communicate. Then, you need to implement your plan and practice small talk. 

Today, we will create your step-by-step plan!

First let’s understand about the behind the scenes of sorority recruitment.

How do sororities invite back potential new members?

During sorority recruitment, each sorority has to use Release Figure Methodology [RFM]. It is a mathematical model to determine the number of invitations a sorority can extend to in a round. 

Here is how RFM works

If most girls vote to keep a sorority, they have high return rates (girls want to go back to the sorority). When a sorority has high return rates, Panhellenic requires them to drop more girls. The most competitive and popular sororities drop around 70% after Round 1. RFM is similar to a popularity contest. If a sorority is very liked on campus, it will drop at a high rate after Round 1.

What does all of this mean?

Everyone is not placed on an equal playing field for Round 1. The sororities are pre-screening potential new members — looking at GPA, Instagram, etc.

Why are so many women not invited back to 10 sororities?

Many potential new members spend weeks focusing ONLY on the material aspects of sorority recruitment – what to wear, makeup, hair, the color of their social resume, etc. They also think their legacy status or 4.0 GPA will get them a bid.

It seems like the material things, your GPA, and legacy status help you stand out and get a great score. However, the color of your social resume, a recruitment packet, a Cartier LOVE bracelet, Golden Goose sneakers, your GPA, and legacy status will not get a bid. To get a bid to a sorority you love, you have to communicate you are the right fit. You have to communicate BEFORE and DURING sorority recruitment.

When you use a strategy, the members know your name and are excited to meet you! That is what you want, right? 

On pages 1-12 of The Ultimate Guide to Sorority Recruitment, you will answer questions to create your step-by-step checklist with due dates. In the book, you will use the CRUSH Method to gain Rush Crush Status and stand out from the other girls!

THE CRUSH METHOD: 

CREATE YOUR LIST

RECOGNITION BY THE MEMBERS [MEMBERS KNOW YOUR NAME]

UNLOCK YOUR POTENTIAL 

STAND OUT WITH YOUR CONVERSATIONS

HAVE OPTIONS

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Here is where your first strategy comes into play: your Prepping for Sorority Recruitment Strategy

Since the sororities are vetting potential new members before sorority recruitment starts, you need to get on the sororities ’ radar. (You have to get your name out there.)

On pages 1-12 of The Ultimate Guide to Sorority Recruitment, you will:

1. Determine your odds for your Round 2 schedule if you went through sorority recruitment today (how many sororities would you be invited back to?) (Do you have the minimum GPA for each sorority? Do you have a recommendation letter for each sorority? Do you have members rooting for you in half of the sororities? Does your Instagram account align with their Instagram accounts? Do you have a great pre-score to boost your Round 1 score?) This step empowers you to take control of your sorority recruitment experience. Now, you know how to increase your odds and get more sororities back on your schedule!

2. Determine your goals for sorority recruitment. This step helps you create your checklist and know what to focus on throughout the months leading up to sorority recruitment. You do not need to spend hours on TikTok and YouTube researching.

3. Figure out which qualities are important to you in your sorority. That way, you know how to vote during sorority recruitment and have talking points for your answers. The members will be impressed by how confident you are in your answers.

4. Take the baseline small talk quiz. You will see areas to improve to break from The Average Conversation Cycle. You will stand out and have members saying, “I love her! I need her in my sorority!” They will do everything in their power to get you to the next round and give you a bid.

5. Know the due dates for important items like recommendation letters and registration. Yes, you want them turned in BEFORE what the Panhellenic website say to do :) Over the past 5 year, we have worked with hundreds of girls! We have used their data to help you succeed!

6. Create a MVP social resume that get you a great pre-score and boosts your Round 1 score. Your pre-score is calculated by the number of activities/ sports/ jobs/ internships, awards, GPA, and community service. Yes, you need to have a certain number in each category to get the best score! Over the past 5 year, we have worked with hundreds of girls! We have used their data to help you succeed!

7. Learn how to find women to write your recommendation letters. We give you the step-by-step process we use with our one-on-one clients.

8. Create an irresistible Instagram account that get members to follow you!

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HOW TO INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF BEING INVITED BACK TO THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF SORORITIES AND HAVE A TON OF OPTIONS ON YOUR SCHEDULE? Now, you are in control of your sorority recruitment experience!

Here is the checklist we use for our one-on-one clients :)

1. If recommendation letters are required for your college, do you have at least one recommendation letter per sorority? See pages 27-35 in The Ultimate Guide to Sorority Recruitment to see who can write a recommendation letter for each sorority and how to get recommendation letters (who to reach out to and scripts).

2. Do you have a resume designed to boost your pre-score? See pages 36 in The Ultimate Guide to Sorority Recruitment to create a social resume that stand out and gets you the best pre-score possible.

3. Do you know member in HALF (yes, half!) of the sororities on campus? If they got to pick one girl to root for, would they pick you?

4. Does your Instagram align with their Instagram account? See page 58 in The Ultimate Guide to Sorority Recruitment to create and Instagram account that get the members to say, “I need to follow her!”

5. Do you short answers and video get the members to say, “She is just like me!” (it is specific and you share memories not facts)? See page 67 in The Ultimate Guide to Sorority Recruitment to use the framework that has gotten our clients invited back to the Maximum number of sororities AND invited back to sororities that cut 70%+ of girls after Round 1.

If you answered, “NO!” to any of these questions, you want to read the sections below to improve your chances!

STEP #1. CAMPAIGN FOR YOURSELF

Why is campaigning important?

Imagine you want to run for President of the United States. Here is the catch you announce that you are running the day of the election. Do you think you will get elected?

Probably not. 

Many potential new members show up at Round 1 and think that is their first impression. Here is what is actually happening.

Each sorority has a recruitment team. One of its main jobs is pre-screening every potential new member before Round 1. Pre-screening includes looking at GPA, recommendation letters, social resumes, Instagram, etc.

Do you know what this means? Everyone is not placed on an equal playing field for Round 1. Is it fair that everyone is not placed on an equal playing field for Round 1?

NO! It is not fair! 

Do you know what is fair? Use this information to your advantage

How do you get your name out there?

All of the sororities will have to drop a percentage of potential new members after Round 1. This percentage is different for each sorority. The most competitive sororities will drop the largest percentage (typically 65%+ of all potential new members).

When you use a strategy, the members are excited to meet you. They will be telling the other members about how amazing you are and how you are a good fit in the sorority.  That is what you want, right? 

#1. Figure out the sororities we are targeting 

On our first call with clients, I ask many questions to learn about their goal and what they want in their dream college experience. 

• Here are some of the questions I ask to get you started:

• What are your goals for sorority recruitment?

• Do you know members in the sororities? If you do, would the members root for you (if they only got to pick one girl to root for)?

• What is on your bucket list for college?

• What qualities do you look for in a friend?

• Do you want an experience different or similar to high school?

After we know these answers, we can figure out which sororities we are going to target. Typically, we are targeting about half sororities. 

How do we pick the target sorority? 

These sororities are dropping over 50% of potential new members after Round 1 and usually are the sororities that will be the best fit for our clients. 

#2. Create our step-by-step prepping for sorority recruitment plan

A. Get recommendation letters

What is a recommendation letter? How does the recruitment team use recommendation letters?

A recommendation letter is similar to a job application form. It is a form that an alumna [some sororities allow members] fills out about you. This form asks for specific information about your GPA, involvement, volunteer work, hobbies & interests, legacy information, etc. It is similar to the form you fill out at registration. 

The recruitment team for each sorority uses your recommendation letter to collect information on you and as a way to learn more about you. Then, they use this information to see if you are a good fit for the sorority and to pick who you should talk to during sorority recruitment.

How to send recommendation letters

STEP #1. Create your MVP social resume that boosts your pre-score and makes it easy for the alumna to submit your recommendation letter

HOW TO BOOST YOUR PRE-SCORE WITH YOUR SOCIAL RESUME?

Before sorority recruitment starts, you will give each sorority a lot of information through your registration application, recommendation letters, etc. They use this information to give you a pre-score. This score is added onto your Round 1 score.

How are pre-scores calculated?

The Recruitment Team will decide on their standards to receive the best score. They will set standards for the:

• Number of clubs, sports, jobs, or internships you need to hold

• Number of awards to you need to receive

• GPA you need to have

• Number of community service projects you need to have

• Number of years an activity needs to be help

• Number of leadership positions you need to hold

• The list goes on!

Here is an example of a sorority’s standards for best pre-score could look like.

To receive the best pre-score to ABC sorority, a potential new member will need to meet the following standards.

1. Have a GPA of 3.5 or higher

2. Have 3 or more clubs, jobs, sports, or internships

3. 2 of the clubs, jobs, sports, or internships need to be held for 3 years or longer

4. Have 2 or more awards

5. Have over 50 community service hours

6. Have volunteered for 2 or more organizations

7. Hold at least one leadership position

Over the past FIVE years, we have watched clients go through sorority recruitment. After they complete sorority recruitment, we compare their schedules to their resumes. We have noticed patterns on what the sororities are looking for in their pre-score. We believe you should have this information. In The Ultimate Guide to Sorority Recruitment and the editable social resume templates, we have given you that information to help you boost and get the best pre-score you can receive! You deserve to have options and run home to a sorority you love!

Editable and customizable templates to create your MVP social resume templates.

STEP #2. Create cover letters

In The Ultimate Guide to Sorority Recruitment, we give you a copy and paste script. All you have to do is add your information to it.

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STEP #3. Decide how you want your recommendation letters sent in -- by mail, email, or online.

How to get recommendation letters

Recommendation letter strategy outlined in The Ultimate Guide to Sorority Recruitment.

1. Which sororities do you need a recommendation letter for?

2. Do you know an alumna from each of the sororities above?

3. How are you going to find alumna for the remaining sororities?

In The Ultimate Guide to Sorority Recruitment, you will create your MVP social resume and timeline for recommendation letters (dates to reach out to alumnae, who to reach out to, dates to follow up, etc.)

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B. Networking strategy

Above, we talked about the importance of campaigning for yourself. The goal is to meet members in all of the sororities we are targeting. Many of these target sororities are dropping over 50% of potential new members after the first round. Some are dropping closer to 70%. To increase you odds of being invited back, we have to have members rooting for you. 

The Ultimate Guide to Sorority Recruitment we give you scripts to reach out to the members you know and how to create an irresistible Instagram account to show you are just like them! How exciting would it be to wake up to ten new followers from a sorority!

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#C. Go PUBLIC on Instagram

Why do to go public on Instagram?

I will let you in on a secret. Most sororities are looking at potential new members’ Instagrams to learn about them. If your Instagram is private, they learn NOTHING about you. It does not help you get your name out there. Now, if your Instagram is PUBLIC, they can learn about who you are, what you like to do, etc. It is like an interactive social resume. Your Instagram could lead to you getting paired to talk to a member who is very similar to you. She may fall in love with you and give you the great score you deserve. This score helps you get invited back to the next round. 

That is what you want, right? You want to have options and get invited back to sororities you love. Strategies give you a plan that allows you to get a bid to your dream sorority. 

In The Ultimate Guide to Sorority Recruitment we give you the step-by-step exercise to create an irresistible Instagram account to show you are just like them! How exciting would it be to wake up to ten new followers from a sorority!

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#D. Register for sorority recruitment

On your registration application, you will have to submit information about yourself. The information will help the recruitment team create your pre-score for sorority recruitment.

You will also have to answer short answer questions. In The Ultimate Guide to Sorority Recruitment, we help you create your answers. Click here to get your copy on Amazon

With most girls answers, they use factual information OR fluffy information. These answers look like most of the other answers. Instead, you will want share compelling stories, memories, and emotions to get the recruitment team to relate to you!

BASELINE SMALL TALK TEST TO IMPROVE YOUR ANSWERS AND GET THE MEMBERS TO SAY, “I NEED HER IN MY SORORITY! SHE IS MY RUSH CRUSH!”

Answer these questions, then look at the checklist to see if you pass the test!

• What is your major?

• Where are you from?

• What did you do this summer?

1. Did you use one word or a fact to answer a question? Example: My major is business. If you answered with “yes” you need to improve your answers. Right now, you look like everyone else! Pages 93-100 will help you in The Ultimate Guide to Sorority Recruitment.

2. Did you use specific details and memories in your answers? Example. For “What is your major?”, your answer should look like, “My major is business. After I graduated, I have always had the dream of moving to New York City. I want to work in

   marketing for Estee Lauder. See page 110 in The Ultimate Guide to Sorority Recruitment to create your answers to the most commonly asked questions.

3. Are your answers less than 10 seconds long? If your answer is less than 10 seconds long, add more specific details and memories. See page 111in The Ultimate Guide to Sorority Recruitment for more information and examples.

4. Are any of your answers more than 90 seconds long? If your answer is more than 90 seconds long, it is too long. See page 101 in The Ultimate Guide to Sorority Recruitment for mistakes made during sorority recruitment and why these mistakes lead to potential new members being dropped.

USE YOUR CONVERSATIONS TO STAND OUT DURING THE ROUNDS OF SORORITY RECRUITMENT. 

Imagine you interview two women to be your roommate. You prepared three questions to ask each woman. Based on their answers, you will pick which woman is the better fit. First, you interview Sam. 

You: Where are you from?

Sam: Atlanta.

You: What do you like to do in your free time?

Sam: Hang out with my friends.

You: What are your passions?

Sam: Yoga. 

Next, you interview Brooke.

You: Where are you from?

Brooke: I am from Atlanta. I love living in the city so much. For college, I wanted a different experience. I wanted to be in a small college town that loved football and had an incredible community. When I toured K-State, I fell in love with all the opportunities. I have not been to a football game yet. I am so excited about the first game! 

You: Me too! I went to the K-State vs Kansas game last year, and it was so much fun! I have already planned out all of my game-day outfits. 

Brooke: No way! Me too! I think that is the most fun part about the games! Which football games did you buy?

You: I bought the package with all of the games. I am so excited to go to all of the games. My dad went to K-State, so it is a big deal in our family.

Brooke: That is the package I bought too!! We have to go to the game together!

Before you know it, time is up. You asked Brooke one of the scripted questions. Throughout your conversation, you got off-topic and talked about the football games, your goals for college, the things you hope to accomplish, and the memories you hope to make. 

Which woman are you going to pick to be your roommate? Sam or Brooke?

Most likely, you picked Brooke.

Why did you pick Brooke?

You could see her as a friend. You could see yourself hanging out with her on the weekends and going to that restaurant. You were able to connect to her. That is what you want to do during sorority recruitment!

During sorority recruitment, most of your score derives from your conversation. To get a good score and be invited back to the sorority, you need to connect to the members and allow them to see you as a friend. 

Here is what happens during sorority recruitment

The members spend weeks practicing for sorority recruitment. During this time, they learn how sorority recruitment works, practice door chants, practice conversations, and more. Since the members practice conversations, they have created a script of questions to ask each potential new member. They will not break from the script unless you force them to break it. 

Why will the members not break from the script?

#1. Having conversations with strangers can be difficult. 

It is easy to ask the same ten questions to each potential new member. It is easy to be on autopilot mode.

#2. The recruitment team puts a lot of pressure on each member. 

They want every potential new member to feel welcomed and have great conversations. When many have great conversations, it helps the sorority drop a higher percentage of potential new members. If a sorority invites back a small percentage of potential new members, it is easier to find the best fits for their sorority. 

Why do most potential new members not break from the script?

Here is an example of the average potential new member’s conversation during sorority recruitment. 

Member: Hi! Welcome to ABC! We are so excited you are here! My name is Kate! What is your name? 

Potential new member: Hi! My name is Sam!

Member: Where are you from?

PNM: Atlanta

Member: What did you do this summer?

PNM: I worked and hung out with my friends. 

Member: Where did you work?

PNM: At a restaurant 

Now, give Sam a score of 1 to 10 [1 = I would never be friends with this woman, and 10 = I found my new best friend]. 

What score did you give her?

Most likely a 3 to 5. 

Why did you give her this score?

You only learned FACTS about her. These facts did not help you see her as a friend. 

During sorority recruitment, when Sam answers questions with facts, the member has a hard time asking random follow-up questions. If the member cannot think of a follow-up question, she asks Sam another scripted question. When Sam is stuck in the script, it is hard to get a great score. If she does not get a great score, the likelihood of her being invited back to the sorority is LOW. 

How do you get an above-average score?

Let’s look closer at Sam’s first answer. She said, “Atlanta”. That is a fact. When you answer questions with facts, it makes it hard to keep a conversation going.

This type of answer leads to a potential new member study in the Average Conversation Cycle. If you stay in this cycle, the member goes on autopilot. When a member is on autopilot, you are asked 10 scripted questions. 

The main takeaway is that the member will not break the cycle. You have to force them to break it. If the member does not break the cycle, you will most likely get an average score. Your average score may get you dropped from some sororities. 

How do you force them to break it?

In The Ultimate Guide to Sorority Recruitment, you will learn the 4 Part strategy to your conversations.

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When you use this strategy, the members will see you as a friend. If they can see you as a friend, they can see you in the sorority and will give you an above-average score. 

Let’s look at an example of how you force the member to break the script. 

Member: Where are you from?

Potential new member: I am from Atlanta. I love it there, but I am so so excited to be here. When I was touring the campus, the tour guide mentioned all of the incredible opportunities at K-State.

Will the member as another scripted question? Will you get stuck in the Average Conversation Cycle?

She will ask you about the opportunities and how you want to get involved. This conversation leads to her getting to know you and connecting with you. When she goes to vote, she sees you in the sorority. AKA. You are getting an above-average score and increasing your chances of getting invited back. 

In The Ultimate Guide to Sorority Recruitment, we give you the framework and formulas to answer 30+ questions the members will ask you! These answers will have you standing out and the members sayin, “I need her in my sorority! She is my Rush Crush!”

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THE IMPORTANCE OF CONNECTING

When you picked your roommate, 

• Did you care what her favorite color was?

• Did you care how many boxes she was going to bring when moving in?

Probably not. Most likely, you picked someone who wanted a similar experience for college and lived a similar life to you. 

The same idea applies to sorority recruitment. The members look for women who are similar to the current members. They want you to join and be able to find immediate friends. To receive a bid, you have to communicate that you are similar to them. You have to allow the members to connect with you. 

To learn more about the small talk strategy, check out The Ultimate Guide to Sorority Recruitment. After you read this book, you will:

• Know insider secrets to stand out in your conversations

• Have members say, “I need her in my sorority! She is my Rush Crush!”

• Know how to answer, “Do you have any questions?”

• Know how to keep the members’ attention throughout sorority recruitment

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A lot of potential new members obsess over their outfits. They think their outfits help them get a bid and stand out. I want to let you in on a secret. Your outfits do not play a major role in your score during sorority recruitment. Wearing a Gucci belt, Golden Goose sneakers, or a Cartier LOVE bracelet will not help you get a bid. 

When you pick out your outfits, you do not want to wear something different to stand out. For example, if everyone wears skirts, you do not want to be the one woman wearing jeans. When picking out your outfits, your goal is to dress similarly to the members. 

Why is it important to look similar to the sorority members? 

In Invisible Influence by Jonah Berger, he explains why we are drawn to similar people through the following situation. Imagine you go to a party with your best friend. Once you get inside, she says, “Everyone here is so nice. Go up and talk to someone. I am going to go to the bathroom.” You do not want to appear unsocial in the corner on your phone. You have seconds to decide which group you want to go and talk to. There are three groups:

• Group one: Two individuals wearing all black. Black shirt, black pants, black hat, and black shoes.

• Group two: Two individuals dressed in hiking gear. 

• Group three: Two individuals who are dress identical to you. 

Who will you talk to?

Most likely, group three – the group that looks just like you look. 

Why do you talk to them over the other groups?

In a quick second, when you have to make a decision, you look for similarities. You assume if they are dressed like me, we most likely have other things in common too. 

The same idea applies to sorority recruitment. The members look for women who are similar to them. They know similar women will be able to find friends and have a good experience. When the members meet a potential new member for the first time, the first thing they look to see if you are similar to them is what you are wearing. 

I recruited for three years for my sorority. One year, a potential new member wore a 1950’s poodle skirt for the required t-shirt round. I remember thinking, “Wow! I bet she is great, but she is soooo different than us. She would be a better fit in ABC.”

When a member meets you for the first time, you do not want her to say that. If she says that, you will be dropped. You want to make it an easy yes for them! “Yes! She is just like us! She dresses like us! She is great!”

Do your outfits matter?

Most potential new members dress nice enough to get a bid. The members want their new members to look presentable and wear clothing that shows off their style. 

Here is how your outfits play into your score

The members use your outfits to remember you or as a way to help their sisters remember who you are. Example. A member talked to 4 potential new members. She remembers one of the girls was named Kelly, and one of the girls was named Brooke. She cannot remember which one was Shelby or which one was Anna. She asks her sorority sister, “What color dress was Anna wearing?” The sister says, “Anna was wearing blue.”  Then, she remembers, "Anna was nice. However, I did not learn enough about her to determine if she would be a good fit for the sorority." The member gives Anna an average score. 

HOW DO YOU DRESS SIMILARLY TO THE MEMBERS?

STEP #1. Look at your college's Panhellenic website to see if there is an outfit guide. 

The guide needs to be from the year you are going through sorority recruitment OR the year before. 

DO NOT USE AN OUTFIT GUIDE FROM THREE YEARS AGO.

STEP #2. Find several sororities that you think would be good fits for you based on their Instagram photos.

STEP #3. What are the members wearing?

STEP #4. Plan your outfits. What are you going to wear for each round?

You can pull things from your closet or buy new things.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Can you wear one-shoulder tops and dresses? Can you wear a strapless dress?

Yes! You are more than welcome to wear a strapless dress or a one-shoulder dress/top. 

Are you allowed to wear designer clothes, shoes, or jewelry?

Absolutely! If you have a Tiffany necklace you wear every day, wear it. The sorority will not penalize you for wearing anything designer.

Guide to what to wear

PACK YOUR EMERGENCY KIT

Click here for suggestions on what to pack!