Formal Or Informal Rush: Which One Is Better For You?

If you have decided to go Greek, you likely have another choice to make—when should you go through rush?
Many colleges and universities have two rush seasons, one being formal and one being informal. Here are some helpful questions to guide you on your decision.

 
         
ARE YOU SET ON A TRADITIONAL GREEK EXPERIENCE?
If you want to have the most classic sorority experience, you should try formal rush. For women, formal rush is tightly choreographed with themes, songs, skits, and more. The majority of women find their homes during this process, and the pledging process is well planned and likely follows that group’s traditions. In informal rush, you may miss out on things like bid day, group initiation, and big/little weeks.
 
ARE YOU HAPPIER IN SMALLER GROUP SETTINGS?
Informal rush is always more casual and usually a more low-key experience. Bids are often given out after small group dinners and ‘rush events’ that are more like socials then organized conversations. For freshmen who are overwhelmed by the fast-paced, noisy rooms and being herded from house to house, the quieter get-to-know-you sessions may be ideal.
 
DO YOU WANT TO BE IN A TOP HOUSE
Every house takes new members in formal rush, yet informal rush is often up to the discretion of the organization. In my experience, ‘top houses’ either do not do informal rush or only take a few pre-determined members. If you are happy with most or any house, informal rush could be a great way to join in a low-stress way, but if you are going for a more selective house you could be disappointed when that house decides not to take any members informally.
 
ARE YOU READY?
This is really the biggest question- do you feel ready to join? Informal rush is great in that it gives women time to experience college without being a member of Greek life, then decide for themselves if they want to join a Greek organization. If you are conflicted, I would recommend taking a semester or quarter to discover if you really want to be in a sorority rather than join and be unable to fully commit. Joining a sorority is an incredible experience, but takes a lot of time, money and energy—be sure you are ready before you take the plunge.