I’m a survivor of a 13 yr abusive relationship; domestic violence awareness is close to my heart too. From one survivor to another, I’m proud of you!!!
Asking about parent occupations can sometimes be a subtle way of sororities trying to figure out if you can afford their dues. When I recruited we weren’t allowed to ask parent occupations for that exact reason
i'm only about halfway through the video but had to pause to say this-- you have no obligation to share your dv story with anyone if you don't feel ready. if someday you feel that sharing will be healthy and beneficial for you then that's wonderful!! but if that day never comes there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. don't feel like you have to get to the point of sharing publicly someday, everyone's journey and healing process looks different and there's never a requirement to share something so personal on such a public platform. thank you for being vulnerable and sharing even the pieces that you have shared. you are strong and brave and powerful and nobody can take that away from you!
As an Australian, sorority life fascinates me which is why I subscribed to your channel in the first place. 4 years later I am glad I am still here and oh wow have you grown as a person. Can't wait to see what you do next 👼
Same! I’m British and we have nothing like this over here, sororities are very strange to me but I subscribed a few years ago because I was so fascinated by them😅
This was so fun to watch. I rushed 50 years ago! I have a funny story about Pi Phi at my university from during my experience. it was during the 2nd round of parties, and they served us dishes of rice pudding. The girl who was my hostess kept gushing about how this was a special thing that everyone in the house loved, and that their cook made it all the time. Meanwhile, I am gagging it down, trying to be polite. I am not a rice fan, and in this pudding, it was disgusting to me. Now the members seemed all so kind, and the house was very pretty, but I dropped them because the thought of being served this rice pudding "all the time" was something I couldn't see living with, LOL! Then something else funny happened at KD during that same round of parties. It was warm inside the house, and I had removed my coat. I had a great conversation with my hostess and had a good time. Near the end of the party, she went to assist me with getting my coat on. My hand got tangled in the sleeve, and I had to push really hard to get it through. In doing so I slugged her in the face! It was an accident of course, and I felt so terrible, as I really clocked her. I apologized profusely, and she seemed to laugh it off. I got dropped before the next set of parties. Gee, I wonder why?😂
LOVED the honesty in this. the fact you still have your notes from then is WILD!! Id pay good money to read what my thoughts were during that week LOLLL
Such a good video! as a Pi Phi alum as well who didn't rush at 18 I fully related to how you described the age thing. some people found it weird that I wasn't 18 but I actually met a lot of people who were rushing at 20, 21, I even met one who was 24 and it just made the experience more unique!
i know for a fact that i will not be rushing sororities at the university of alabama but i’m still glued to my screen like this is vital life information 💞💞
I definitely understand how being dropped by the sorority that had a philanthropy about DV was upsetting when you reacted to it. If they did/do hands on types of service they may have made that judgement to separate you from people who also need healing. I survived through DV as well and I know for a long time I couldn't have been as helpful because I needed to heal past my trauma first. I definitely understand how you felt in the moment though, but it does look like you landed in the right place in either case and seemed to have a positive experience. :)
I was 33 minutes in before you shared that you started and went through rush at age 21, and that was the age I was, and I remember everyone in my house and pledge class making such a huge deal about me being older and how uncomfortable that made me. I think they were either excited or afraid that I was old enough to legally drink. Anyway I got dropped from my #1 house every round, but I did get a bid and I was so excited for that. I made the best of my years there and my alumni years were even better, holding leadership positions in every city I lived post-college. So I guess the point I want to make for everyone reading this is that NO MATTER WHAT house you get, you will have so many opportunities by going greek, and not just for 4 years but 4 LIFE! So don't be afraid to take the lowest house on your ranking. You will love the girls in your pledge class and you will be so proud to be a member there!
Oh just wanted to add to my story, I remember multiple times thinking during rush, "Thank God I didn't try to do this when I was 18 because I never would have been able to handle all the rejection." Who knows what would have happened if I had been younger? I also had gone to community college and had an Associate's Degree so was rushing as a junior, which basically meant I was only being seriously considered as a QA (Quota Addition).
I was an ADPi at my college, so I am SO happy to hear you had a great experience with the girls!! Glad you found your sorority home, but of course we would have loved you as a diamond! :)
I go to a super small school with only 5 sororities, so hearing about bama rush is crazy to me. Im thankful that my recruitment experience was so positive but rushing at my small school was stressful enough. Kudos to you girl 🤟
I am in Greek life at a smaller school. The fact that dues are thousands of dollars at a large school blows my mind. Dues in my sorority are 100 and the other sorority’s pay 200-350 max.
As a Chi O alum not from the south who is much (MUCH) older than you, I'm so sorry the Bama chapter dropped you. I know you found the right home for you, but you would have been an excellent member of any chapter! As my oldest daughter is contemplating recruitment at a large school in the south (not Alabama), I'm thinking about Greek Life in a totally new way - as a Mom! Thank you for sharing your experience so candidly. This was really helpful.
As a current adpi from a diffrent school it made me smile to know you had a positive experience 💖 never would have rushed had I never found your channel (thanks for being the reason I’ve met my best friends!)
My college was heavily Greek. No sorority houses. Rush is spring Freshman year. I was not upset when I was dropped across the board. I was FURIOUS with how my best friend was treated both times she rushed. I ended up in a co Ed service fraternity. Far cheaper, more welcoming and was the right choice for me.
GIRL. the EXACT same situation at alpha chi happened to me!! Like word for word the exact same. Pro tip: don’t share if you’ve experienced their philanthropy
I was a theta at bama and loved it. I agree, don’t take others opinions or experiences as fact and you’ll find the house perfect for you. I love your videos Lauren 😊❤
Love a good rush story because everyone’s is different. I went to a way smaller school (we only had 4 sororities) so I’ve always wonder what the bigger rushes were like. Love that your honest. Also the sweetest girl on RU-vid ❤
Idk why but I find these types of videos so entertaining. It's so good seeing the life experiences of people different from myself. Ps. I love your video intro & you certainly shine.
So I’m on day two or three of my deep dive into sorority stuff (I was never in greek life. Refused to even do academic Greek stuff) and when you talked about one of the houses and your DV situation, a lot of things came to mind bc I have experienced abuse as well. I know it’s hard to do and easier to say, but please don’t feel embarrassed about breaking down. Going through that shit is HARD and living with the remnants alters your life and your personality. It’s ok to cry, and I’m glad people were kind to you in the moment. Please be kind to yourself. Your hurt is valid. Your ptsd is valid, and I have no doubt in my mind that you will continue to kick trauma’s ass
i rushed last august as a sophomore at alabama and i went to pi phi and adpi for pref too!! i ran home to adpi and couldn’t be happier but i have so much love for pi phi as well. both houses made me feel so welcome and important even as an older girl going through rush and it’s so cool too see someone that had the same experience!
also had a super similar experience at DZ where i was paired up with the ONE girl at bama who happened to be from my hometown. it also happened to be that our hometown was really the only thing we had in common lol.
My social anxiety could never survive alabama ruch, like my self esteem would crumble. So glad we don't have a system like that in the universities where I am from. Anyway, loved the video and the tea. Its fun to hear about the weird and wonderful world of Alabama rush and American culture.
@@peaceful525 No, for most it's not a choice at all because normal people are too busy worrying about the loans needed for base tuition alone while y'all still seem to think an extra 10 grand per semester at sororities like Phi Mu are an inclusive anthropological *_thithterhood_* available for everyone and totally, like, NBD. right?
Thank you for sharing so openly!! A few things from a person with close to NO sorority life experience! -I KNEW something about Zeta would be SUS -that girl actually said to you “I’m not allowed to let you leave so we’re just going to stand here”?!??????!!!!!!!!! Are you kidding me. Fail. She should be ashamed of herself. -Conversely, the girl who said “if you don’t see yourself here that’s np, let’s just talk about whatever” = A++++++++ this was literally such kindness and class -I’m sorry to hear about the domestic violence history. Uncontrollable panic and sobbing is such a difficult experience let alone in that context. It makes sense that you were hurt when they dropped you because it’s so unexpected and out of your expectation based on their previous behavior. I’d guess it was genuine but that other girls didn’t vote /you didn’t get enough votes from other girls to come back -What does it mean for someone to be an “academic liability” to a sorority? I understand gpa cutoffs but what the heck is a liability - and that seems so unreasonable and obnoxious
Thank you so much for posting this and being so real❤ I remember going through rush and being dropped from a couple of sororities that I really liked after the first day and being so sad. I thought all my conversations went well and that I connected with everyone, so I was really shocked. I felt really self-conscious about myself and let it get to me, which kinda ruined the rest of the experience. Not a lot of youtubers address being dropped and how it does affect you and your morale. At the time it’s hard, but I see now that sometimes it means that you weren’t suppose to be in that sorority to begin with. Thank you for sharing! It is really comforting seeing that I wasn’t the only one experiencing that and that it’s part of the process. Your videos have inspired me so much and I can’t wait to see the new content you have in store for us. Congratulations 🎉 on your graduation 🥳🥰
I watched this video as soon as it came out and then like 6 months later I went through COB and actually joined ADPI, I didn't even realize until re-watching this that you almost rushed them!! I love it
👼 Lauren I'd like to see an updated video about your gap years and how it affected your college experience. Like u i am a nontraditional student, i started going to college at 20. Congratulations on graduating from Alabama and i look forward to seeing what the future has in store for you.
I have no idea why your “what I eat in a day” videos was recommended to me but this video of yours made me curious what sorority life is like as someone in my 30s who went to community college. The part where you said that one’s opinion of you should matter and that we all have our path in life… that really hit the heart dam
ahh i'm so sorry tri delt dropped you (we would've been sisters!) especially with your connections to St Jude - it truly was an amazing philanthropy to support and I still love them and what they do to this day
Girl! I was in the same big Rho chi group as you! I ended up rushing DZ and then transferred freshmen year cause I also had a very rough year and needed a fresh start! I rewatched your rush video and was like holy crap that’s me in the bus😂
I also was a Pi Phi at Bama ( pledge class of 1980). I love all your videos and congratulations on graduating and to a fabulous life ahead! ROLL TIDE! 😇😇😇
I have never been in a sorority but i find it so interesting. thank you for always sharing your journey with us!!! i hope you are enjoying this new chapter of post graduating college. 💖💖💖
I love love love this video! Yes, the content, but also just so much of your personality! These sit down videos show us so much and makes us feel closer to you. Sending love from an AXO Alum who chose it for the philanthropy and sisterhood ❤️
Thanks for being so real in this video and for sharing your stories. I experienced dv too 😔💝. Glad you are in a much better place now. Didn’t know you’re in NYC now! 👼
I know what you mean by age difference in college! I am a 30-something-year-old college student and the majority of my classmates are around your age! Even though I am in a different season of life than my classmates, the age doesn't bother me! We all go to college for the same reason and everyone's journey is different. I am glad I waited until I was older to go back to school.
I’m a Tri Delta alumna and looking back on it it’s so funny but also cute how they literally target you. I was a cheerleader for OSU and they always paired me with other athletes in the sorority during rush in order to make me feel at home. Clearly it worked LOL
I joined my sorority as a transfer when I was 21 too! Chapters vary at different schools, especially with sororities where there are over 100 chapters across the country. I had an amazing experience even though my time was shorter than the traditional 4 years.
The best thing I got out of my sorority was learning how to wear heels on a semi regular basis! In my job now I wear heels often, and walking into my office i definitely feel powerful 😎 walking in heels is definitely a learned skill 😂
* to preface (although this would be read after the initial comment so technically it’s not a preface….but y’all know what I mean lol) I’m 29 now, also rushed at 21, was there for 4 years and now work in finance
Interesting to hear about rush and what its about and your own thoughts and feeling! I'm in the UK so whole thing is so bizarre to us here! But love knowing more about your college experience vs mine! Love how you opened up and were speaking your truth about everything!👼🏻👼🏻
Don’t hate me but omg I went ALLLL the way back to the very beginning of your channel again and I’ve been binge watching every single video in order from the first one you ever uploaded, still just as obsessed with you now as I was back then. The queeeen👼🏻💖
I love hearing about the differences in sororities. In NPHC We don’t even take the word “rush” seriously, it’s a formality 😭 and there is no way shape or form that you can even be in other sororities houses or testing or meeting them before you pick, you have to come with your own research and a decision made, then they choose if they want you through a very very long process. It took me 1 year of showing interest before I was even considered. We also die members of our organizations there is no “alumni” it’s until death do us part 😭. I wouldn’t change it for the world. I love my AKA 💕💚
I wish NPC sororities were like that. Some people make it a lifetime commitment and other (actually most) just go for the 4 years, party, try to find a husband, get a degree then graduate.
Thanks for sharing your experience. This was so interesting to watch, I'm a gamma phi alum but joined during spring COB and I went to a smaller school in the midwest that only had 5 houses, also joined my sophomore year instead of freshman year. I was absolutely heartbroken because alpha phi didn't give me a bid and I loved their philanthropy. I'm actually a cardiology PA now, so still love their philanthropy, but definitely ended up in the house I was supposed to be in. 😇
Woman, I went back to school and recently graduated at the age of 33. I was mostly 10 years older than a lot of the girls in my program. So please, PLEASE don’t let your age mold on how you view your college experience. We have a different paths to the same goal. It’s also about timing because if say you went to Alabama at 18 would you have the same group of friends/experiences? Keep your head held high and be proud of yourself. Your age is just part of your story. 🤍👼🏻
Alpha Gam from a small school here 🐿️ ❤ This brought up so many memories and I can relate so much as well! I also did the recruitment counselor, Pi Chi at ours, and it was sooooo fun! I love all your videos! Thank you so much for these memories ❤
I went to a school in the North East where greek life isn't that big and I think its so crazy how a lot of sororities have the same vibe across different schools
This made me remember my rush experience (although quite different) and I definitely do not regret where I ended up even though I was sad a house dropped me
Greek life is so fascinating to me I feel like if my university had had it I definitely would’ve rushed! Loved this video 👼🏻 and the arrow for pi phi 💘
omgosh not weird at all to be introverted but love YT and other content creation! This is coming from someone with a psyc degree, counseling masters degree, and that's Meyer Briggs certified :). Its kind of like journaling. Introversion is more so how you process. So introverts process inwardly. Journaling or uninterrupted/solo videos like this are great for introverted people!
Ok as someone who has followed you since your rush video this was SO much fun to watch. Loved the throwback to your friend's blue comment and I always thought it was ADPi! Thanks for making this, so much fun to see what you thought about everything!
Love your channel. When I rushed, Delta Gamma was so rude to me. They were rushing me hard until I asked about dues as I was paying for it myself. DG was the rich girl sorority at my school. Similar to your Kappa experience, they stopped talking to me and left me alone at the party. Lol rather awkward but in the end they did me a favor. I went Sigma Kappa. 💜 Excited to see what’s next for you. -Shannon W.
So much sounds so spot on! I am sorry you didn’t get the best girl to talk to in SK because it is such an amazing group of girls, but I am sure Pi Phi was wonderful!
I pref. The same ones as you! I’m a Pi Phi Alum. My personal recommendation to anyone who is going through recruitment is on open house day give every house a chance. You will notice where you feel at home (Pi Phi for me!) and where you don’t vibe
It’s been 11 years and I still remember my impression of tri delt being “They’re definitely going to drop me but at least they’re being nice now” 😂 I did not get the same courtesy from Phi Mu I ended up rushing Delta Gamma ⚓️
I love the "I had a great conversation with this girl, sorry I don't remember what she looked like" it would be very hard to distinguish a sea full of bleach and tone extensions for anyone
Yeah my ex boyfriend dropped out of his fraternity because his grades were dropping and he wanted to get into med school. None of his “brothers” ever talked to him again 🙄
Dear Lord, and I’ve been in love your channel ever since 2018 I love all your contacts I watch all your contact all the time and I’m always looks at her new video and I just love your videos so so much you’ve inspired me not to give up and I am love how positive you are don’t give up. Love Christina💗💗
My favorite story of my rush experience at an SEC school...I was asked "What does your Daddy do?" I was annoyed and responded "He digs ditches" I failed to mention he owned the company. They didn't invite me back 😂😅
