Bama Rush: Sorority recruitment takes Tuscaloosa and TikTok by storm

Harris Marley

International Courant

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Sorority rush week is again on school campuses throughout the US — and on TikTok.

The net phenomenon generally known as “RushTok” — a once-a-year look inside the push course of at massive U.S. faculties and universities — attracts billions of views and likes on the app, permitting some big-time, Greek Life influencers to earn sufficient cash to place them by means of 4 years of college.

“I am very grateful. I am very appreciative. … I am excited to graduate and never be in debt from scholar loans,” Kylan Darnell, a junior on the College of Alabama who has been dubbed the “queen of RushTok,” informed Fox Information Digital in an interview. “It is undoubtedly very releasing, very relieving, and I am simply very grateful for anyone that takes the time to go on my web page and comply with or watch a video or depart a remark. It is simply, wow. I am simply very appreciative.”

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Darnell’s influencer-type social media presence has change into a job for the faculty junior, one which she might pursue full-time, however she stated she needs to complete faculty and comply with her goals of changing into a sports activities broadcaster. Initially from Ohio, Darnell known as the “queen of RushTok” label “humorous” as a result of she by no means imagined she’d be pursuing social media stardom.

BAMA RUSH: INSIDE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA’S WILD AND ‘CUTTHROAT’ SORORITY RECRUITMENT PROCESS

The net phenomenon generally known as “RushTok” — a once-a-year look inside the push course of at massive U.S. faculties and universities — attracts billions of views and likes on TikTok. (© Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa Information / USA TODAY NETWORK)

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“I feel folks like to observe my movies as a result of I am actually having enjoyable,” she stated, including later, “RushTok is my favourite time of 12 months.”

College of Alabama sorority members and recruits, particularly, have been drawing the plenty to “Bama RushTok” as the highest recruitment faculty within the nation, making nationwide headlines final 12 months when HBO Max got here out with a documentary known as “Bama Rush” detailing the drama of the selective recruitment course of.

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Some customers watching movies below the #RushTok tag on TikTok are looking for inspiration for their very own Greek Life pursuits, whereas others with little interest in sororities watch the stream of movies as a type of real-life leisure, very similar to actuality tv however on-line.

College of Alabama sorority members and recruits particularly have been drawing the plenty to “Bama RushTok” as the highest recruitment faculty within the nation. (© Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa Information / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Most movies are solely seconds lengthy, displaying coordinated dances, dress-up themes, outfit reveals (a few of that are sponsored by style labels), suggestions for moving into one’s No. 1 sorority home and extra.

Here’s a record of the 5 craziest RushTok developments of the 2024-2025 faculty 12 months up to now:

1. College of Oklahoma’s blue costumes

The unique “blue” theme from the College of Oklahoma’s Kappa Kappa Gamma chapter took RushTok by storm this season, that includes inventive outfits centered across the shade blue — some darkish, some humorous and a few downright bizarre.

“{N]ow that is the push content material i need,” one TikTok consumer wrote on a video displaying the sorority’s outlandish blue costumes.

“You have got us eager to rush kappa,” wrote one other consumer.

Greater than 500 girls acquired bids to 10 sororities after George Washington College’s chapter of Delta Gamma was shut down final week. (Al Drago/CQ Roll Name)

2. Grandma costumes

Sororities collect for what they name “work week” — the week earlier than rush begins — to arrange for the upcoming recruitment course of. To make “work week” extra enjoyable for members, homes decide themes to comply with. Considered one of this season’s hottest themes on TikTok was the “Grandma” theme.

Some homes dressed up as grandmas however danced like they weren’t a day over 21.

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3. Sorority rap songs

Darnell highlighted a tune made particularly for her sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha, on TikTok. The tune by YOUNG036 is known as “Nice Day To Be A ZTA,” and members of the sorority have been sharing movies displaying coordinated dances to the unique tune on TikTok.

Seventeen sororities welcomed new members on the College of Alabama Panhellenic Affiliation Bid Day, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (© Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa Information / USA TODAY NETWORK)

And it is not the primary time YOUNG036 has created a tune for ZTA. The rapper has songs devoted to different sororities as effectively, together with Chi Omega, Tri Delta, Gamma Phi Beta and others, in accordance with his Spotify account.

4. Designer clothes and room decor

Sorority members and recruits have been sharing their OOTDs, or outfits of the day, on TikTok. A few of these movies — like these on Darnell’s account — characteristic sponsored content material, which is why she and different RushTok influences have made one thing of a profession out of their social media pages.

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A few of these movies characteristic value breakdowns for recruitment outfits which have eye-watering value tags, starting from just a few hundred {dollars} to greater than $10,000. A TikTok consumer named Destinee Moreh has made her personal model, analyzing the price of different women’ outfits movies on TikTok.

Darnell flew to London on Monday — the identical day she reached 1,000,000 followers on TikTok — for a “model journey” with a girls’s clothes firm known as Peppermayo.

Seventeen sororities welcomed new members on the College of Alabama Panhellenic Affiliation Bid Day, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (© Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa Information / USA TODAY NETWORK)

And it is not simply garments that include a heavy price ticket.

Sorority members have made it some extent to point out off their fashionable home decor and dorm room setups, full with neon indicators, monogrammed pillows, matching duvets, cover beds, armoires, Hollywood-style mirrors and extra.

5. Skilled recruitment consultants

Some sorority hopefuls rent skilled sorority recruitment consultants to assist them get into their prime sorority selections.

“Greek life offers … a useful set of transferable abilities as a result of Greek life is the entry level to their school after which skilled careers. That is usually the primary time women learn to community, put together a resume and learn to market themselves, which can be utilized lengthy into your skilled life,” Mountaineering in Heels CEO and founder Stacia Damon informed “America Experiences” final 12 months.

The eccentric RushTok movies garner billions of views annually and plenty of reward, but additionally a good quantity of judgment.

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Darnell encourages customers to be form and respectful, noting that sorority members and recruits are younger — many nonetheless youngsters — making an attempt to take advantage of their school experiences. Some are staying away from house for the primary time of their lives, making an attempt to satisfy new associates, whereas others are on the brink of graduate and begin their careers exterior faculty.

“Simply bear in mind, these women are very susceptible and that your opinions, what you say about their outfits and stuff like that, can harm them. So, simply bear in mind, be constructive,” she stated.


Bama Rush: Sorority recruitment takes Tuscaloosa and TikTok by storm

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