Hey there! My name is Gracie Koester and I am a member of Zeta Zeta’s P.C. 22! When I came to Samford as a freshman, I didn’t want to go through recruitment. I am naturally very introverted, and the idea of being in a sorority and going through recruitment didn’t sound ideal to me. I had preconceived ideas of what sororities were, and I was pretty stubborn when it came to wanting to do my own thing during my freshman year. While I made several amazing friends in my first year at Samford, a part of me began to crave the connection some of my friends had with their sisters. I prayed about the idea of going through recruitment a year late and was nervous about how the process might be different, already having a year of college under my belt. I ultimately decided I wanted to do it. This decision was also made easier for me because one of my best friends and sophomore year roommate, Morgan Hill, was also going through recruitment as a sophomore, and we got to do the whole process together!
Recruitment was unlike what I expected- while it was funny and weird to walk into sorority houses and talk with people I already knew, I was so thankful I made the decision to wait a year. When I walked into the Chi Omega house each round, I felt so at home! I met so many girls who I am now so close with and each one made me feel so loved, seen, and heard. Chi Omega does such a great job of treating each girl like they truly matter, not just like they are a number. We want to get to know your heart.
After philanthropy round, I knew whole-heartedly that I wanted to go Chi O- and when I opened my bid day envelope and saw the insignia, I was filled with joy! Bid day was so much fun because I got to run home to my best friends who welcomed me with arms wide open. My bid day buddy was my freshman year roommate and it was so special to embrace her amidst the craziness and anxiety bid day can bring.
One of the sweetest aspects of going through recruitment as a sophomore has been being a part of a younger pledge class. I’ve become close with several girls who are a year younger than me through new member meetings and events, and this is not something I would have gotten if I hadn’t rushed as a sophomore. I got to live in the Chi O house junior year with a majority of my P.C. and it was SO FUN!
So if you are completing your freshman year and feel a tug to go through recruitment, DO IT! It has been one of my greatest blessings in college and I
