Podcast Summary: "What I Wish I Knew Before I Went Through Rush"
Podcast: Two Ts In A Pod with Teddi Mellencamp and Tamra Judge
Episode Date: December 20, 2025
Episode Theme:
A firsthand “tell-all” on what sorority recruitment (“rush”) is really like, featuring roundtable insights from multiple former sorority members with different backgrounds, schools, and experiences. The episode focuses on demystifying the rush process, exposing unwritten rules, offering practical advice, and reflecting on lessons learned only in hindsight.
Main Topics & Insights
1. Rush Timing & Differences Across Campuses
- Early vs. Late Rush: The hosts discuss differences in rush timing:
- Some schools hold recruitment before the semester starts, while others do it during or after the first semester.
- Gia: “Heels in the snow. No, thank you.” (03:34)
- Evie: “Mine was always in August and it’s insanely hot in Texas. It’s so hot.” (03:59)
- Social Implications: Early rush can lead to forming immediate friend groups in your sorority, but later rush might allow broader friendships across different houses.
2. Letters of Recommendation & Formalities
- Importance Varies by Chapter & School:
- At some schools, a letter of recommendation (rec) is essentially required to make it past the first round.
- Gia: “If you didn’t have one, you weren’t... like you were passed up on, really.” (06:36)
- The importance can also change depending on whether the recommender is an alum from your target chapter.
- At some schools, a letter of recommendation (rec) is essentially required to make it past the first round.
- Captains & Standards Lists: Some chapters keep a "Captain's list" for perfect-on-paper applicants (high GPA, letters of rec, etc.) and “standards” or “hometown” lists for personal recommendations or vetoes.
3. Recruitment Voting & Scoring
- Voting Methods Differ:
- Some chapters score recruits on a 1–5 scale; others are more binary (“all or nothing”).
- Emma: “Ours was between, I think, 1 and 5… The highest one... I want her to be my little...” (09:39)
- Some sororities allow hometown members to give applicants a top or bottom score and present slideshows with “pros” and “cons” during prep week for internal discussion.
- Emma: “Or on the other end, it would be like, this girl screwed up, dated my brother, and cheated on him, and we cannot let her in…” (08:27)
- Some chapters score recruits on a 1–5 scale; others are more binary (“all or nothing”).
- Involvement: Some require all members to be involved in recruiting each year.
4. Academics & Stereotypes
- High Academic Standards:
- Many sororities have minimum GPA cutoffs, which can be quite high and increase over time.
- Gia: “...she got suspended for a semester because her grades dropped below. And she was the coolest IT girl of my sorority.” (11:30)
- Emma: “I would argue that we were some of the best girls... We always had the highest GPA on the row...” (14:43)
- Many sororities have minimum GPA cutoffs, which can be quite high and increase over time.
- Breaking "Dumb Sorority Girl" Stereotype:
- Members emphasize academic achievement and dispel common misconceptions.
5. Social Media & "Silent" Rules
- Cleaning Up Socials:
- Varied consensus on whether to scrub social media accounts before rush—mostly advised to avoid drinking photos or inappropriate content.
- Gia: “I didn’t feel the need to clean mine up... I didn’t post anything with alcohol... being a high schooler.” (15:56)
- Confusion over whether or not to follow current members or keep profiles private.
- Varied consensus on whether to scrub social media accounts before rush—mostly advised to avoid drinking photos or inappropriate content.
- No Contact/No Partying Policies:
- Strict rules during rush, including “no contact” and discouraging parties, with real consequences for those breaking them.
- Emma: “I contacted someone because I was so torn between what I was gonna pref and I didn’t end up getting that sorority.” (18:23)
- Strict rules during rush, including “no contact” and discouraging parties, with real consequences for those breaking them.
6. Reputation & the "Invisible Hand"
- Not Always About You:
- Sometimes chapters drop girls not because they dislike them, but because they believe the recruit will choose another house.
- Gia: “A lot of it has to do with they know that you’re gonna go another house and they're giving the spot to someone else.” (21:01)
- Some schools are strictly score-based; others allow more subjectivity.
- Sometimes chapters drop girls not because they dislike them, but because they believe the recruit will choose another house.
- Knowing Someone: Blessing or Curse?
- Sometimes connections help, but they can also hurt if chapters assume you’ll pledge with friends/siblings in a different sorority.
7. How to Pick the Right House
- Trust Your Gut & Values:
- Look for alignment in values, authenticity, and sisterhood during “preference” rounds.
- Emma: “...trust your gut on it. But also, I do think that if... you can see that kind of represented within the sorority, I do think that’s important.” (30:35)
- Look for alignment in values, authenticity, and sisterhood during “preference” rounds.
- Meaningful One-Liners:
- Gia: “Pick a house where you feel comfortable going number two in.” (31:43)
(Advises to feel at-home enough to do the mundane!) - Evie: “Look around at the girls... do you see yourself being in a PC with them?” (32:18)
- Gia: “Pick a house where you feel comfortable going number two in.” (31:43)
- Don’t Just Follow Friends:
- Try not to let friendships dictate your decision—your closest friends may be in another house, and that’s okay.
8. Final Advice & Parting Thoughts
- Stay Open-Minded:
- Even if you end up in a sorority you didn’t prefer, make the most of it. Attitude matters.
- Emma: “Slap on a smile on your face and be happy of it, because... you never forget that... makes you feel so icky.” (37:37)
- “It’s really not that deep—a sorority can be fun, but your friends and experience aren’t limited.” (38:02)
- Even if you end up in a sorority you didn’t prefer, make the most of it. Attitude matters.
- Most End Up Where They Belong:
- Things usually work out as they should—even for friends who are split between houses.
- Evie: “...so many girls end up in a different sorority and they're like, I can't even imagine what my life would be like if I was in that sorority...” (37:00)
- Emma: “If you end up on bid day... in the sorority you didn’t want, just put on a smile and keep an open mind.” (37:23)
- Things usually work out as they should—even for friends who are split between houses.
- Be Positive:
- Go into rush with a smile, be true to yourself, and know you’ll find your group.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On First Impressions:
“Heels in the snow. No, thank you.” – Gia (03:34) - On ‘Hometown Voting’:
“During work week… girls already in our sorority would put up a slideshow of people from their hometown… Or on the other end, it would be like, this girl screwed up, dated my brother, and cheated on him, and we cannot let her in.” – Emma (08:27) - On Academic Standards:
“You’re actually talking to a girl who was on the scholars list.” – Gia (15:04) - On No-Contact Rules:
“I contacted someone because I was so torn between what I was gonna pref, and I didn’t end up getting that sorority... no partying, especially if it’s the first week of school.” – Emma (18:23) - On Fitting In:
“Pick a house where you feel comfortable going number two in.” – Gia (31:43) “Look around at the girls… do you see yourself being in a PC with them?” – Evie (32:18) - On Friends in Other Sororities:
“They’ll still be your best friends.” – Evie (36:08) - On Attitude:
“If you end up on bid day… slap on a smile on your face and be happy of it, because… you never forget that, because that makes you feel so icky.” – Emma (37:37) - Final Encouragement:
“Go in with a big smile and a positive attitude, and you’re gonna kill it.” – Gia (38:12)
Key Timestamps for Important Segments
| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------| | 03:25 | Pros and cons of rushing before vs. during school | | 06:08 | The “letters of rec” requirement & its impact | | 08:18 | The “hometown voting” and recruitment presentations | | 10:22 | Involvement of members in recruitment / “Captain’s List” details | | 14:41 | GPA standards & academic stereotypes debunked | | 15:34 | Social media advice for new recruits | | 18:05 | Strict “no contact”/no-partying rules | | 21:00 | How selection can depend on perception/assumptions | | 24:09 | Multiple scoring vs. cumulative score debates | | 28:14 | Importance of following all sorority Instagrams & etiquette | | 30:01 | How to gauge the right house fit | | 31:43 | “Pick a house you’re comfortable going #2 in” – advice | | 32:18 | “Look around at your potential pledge class” – advice | | 33:45 | Should you “follow” friends into houses? | | 37:23 | Positivity if you don’t land your first choice | | 38:12 | Final pep talk and encouragement for new rushees |
Listener Takeaways
- Be Informed: Rules, traditions, and forms of rush scoring vary by campus and by house. Ask questions and understand your specific process.
- Be Authentic: Keep social media respectful and genuine, but don’t stress about projecting a fake image.
- Be Flexible: You may not end up in your “dream sorority,” and that can be a blessing.
- Be Positive: Your attitude during and after bid day makes a lasting impression—both on others and your own experience.
- Trust the Process: Chances are, you will end up exactly where you’re supposed to be.
Tone & Style
The hosts speak candidly, with humor and warmth, often poking fun at their own experiences while offering real, actionable advice. The mood is sisterly and supportive, aiming to both comfort and empower future rushees.
End of Summary