The start of every semester brings new opportunities, from a new class schedule to on-campus organizations looking to adopt members.
While a new semester can foster a time of hope and a fresh start for some students, it can be more stressful than triumphant for others. This is especially true for those looking to rush or interview for competitive organizations, such as business fraternities.
Whether someone is a part of Greek life or not, many have their own perceptions of the “Greek” rush experience. However, there is another side to rushing that is not commonly discussed: rushing a professional organization.
Business fraternities and other professional organizations are at the forefront of improving students’ lives by providing them with much-needed insight into future career paths. Business fraternities also benefit members socially by introducing them to other determined, like-minded individuals and connecting them with a large alumni network.
These fraternities foster an environment aimed at amplifying their common three pillars: professionalism, philanthropy and brotherhood.
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“Being a part of a business fraternity has helped my professionalism,” said Harry Fogel, Illinois Business Council president. “They provided me with so many people, mentors and opportunities for professional growth, philanthropic growth and personal growth.”
These organizations teach their members invaluable skills and lessons that aren’t always exposed within a classroom environment. These lessons include where to apply for internships and how to interview to the best of one’s abilities.
However, the inclusion process for these organizations is quite stressful and unique compared to the typically simpler measures required to join a club at the University.
Each business fraternity on campus has a unique rush process, with some standard practices overlapping between organizations.
Most rounds typically start with an information night highlighting the individuality of each organization. Several rounds of interviews follow, lasting about 15 minutes each.
The interviews occur throughout the week directly following the initial information night, and each round eliminates many candidates. Rounds focus on behavioral questions where potential candidates are encouraged to efficiently and effectively answer to their best ability.
“From an active member’s perspective, we have to consider who would be the best recruit to improve our organization, and from a recruit’s standpoint, it’s more, ‘How can I make the best possible impression on these people?’” said Neil Shah, Phi Gamma Nu’s spring recruitment director.
The recruitment process can be overwhelming for potential new members. Many students enter the process with high hopes, only to find themselves facing intense competition and mounting pressure.
While there is a GPA requirement of 3.0 or higher, there are no “cookie-cutter” expectations. Many fraternities accept all majors and seek students they think could positively benefit and grow within their organizations.
While a recruit’s initial application is important, each interview serves as a test of a candidate’s ability to think critically, communicate effectively, showcase their potential contribution to the organization and show genuine interest in the organization and what they stand for.
Many students spend weeks preparing by practicing common interview questions to make themselves more familiar with the process and its expectations.
As time has progressed, the recruitment process has become increasingly competitive. Applicant numbers have increased alongside the University’s student body.
“This semester, we had around 800 applicants with over 500 people interviewing in the first round, and each round cutting at least 100 applicants,” Fogel said.
The new member classes for each business fraternity can typically only have around 30 to 40 new members, contributing to the competitiveness of the process.
Although the process of rushing a business fraternity can be daunting, it proves to be worth it for the majority of those who have had the opportunity to be accepted into one of these groups.
“PGN expanded my horizons in terms of being open to meeting new people from different backgrounds, giving me a diversity of experience, diversity of thought and (helping) me meet so many different types of people that have helped me and changed my life in ways I couldn’t even imagine before,” Shah said.
