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Abbey Woods

Top 5: Things I Wish I Knew Before Vanderbilt Formal Recruitment

January 24, 2023 by Abbey Woods

Listen, we all want to find our forever families in Greek Life. This Top 5 list will help give you more insight on the (intimidating) process!

#5: No, it’s not like ‘Bama Rush

I know all the tiktoks will make it seem otherwise, but Vandy’s rush is nowhere near as intimidating as larger SEC schools like Ole Miss or ‘Bama. There’s no judgements on your appearance or how much money you spent over recruitment. Vanderbilt doesn’t use words like “pledges” or “rush” anymore. Instead, you’ll be a potential new member attending formal recruitment. Greek Life is to find a family, not to exclude others!

#4: You don’t need to buy a whole new wardrobe

This would have saved me so much time, energy, and stress to know! So recruitment is only two weekends long, and you’ll be wearing jeans half the time. Days one and two are spent wearing jeans, sneakers, and a Vandy t-shirt. Days three and four are get a little more formal, with sundresses and sweater dresses. By the time bid day rolls around, you’ll be back in jeans! However, formal recruitment is in the winter, so remember to layer and grab your coat.

#3: You will inevitably be dropped from some houses… and that’s okay!

Unfortunately, the process includes you having to drop houses, and houses having to drop you. On day one (display round), you will start out with going to nine houses. Day two (philanthropy round) you can have a MAXIMUM of seven houses. However, don’t worry if you have less than seven. I wish I was told that the average number of houses people receive on day two is 4 to 5. On day three (sisterhood round) you will be able to see a MAXIMUM of five houses, but don’t be worried if you have 3 to 4. Finally, on your last day, preference round, you can only see two houses. When houses drop you, because they have to, try to think about the houses that invited you back, rather than the ones that didn’t. Remember, the houses the invited you back chose your name out of their list of hundreds of girls to learn more about YOU!

#2: Come into recruitment with an open mind

All throughout recruitment we were told that if we were looking for a community of sisterhood, the panhellenic committee could guarantee we’d find it. But if we were looking for membership in a specific house, they could not guarantee we would find that. There will be houses that your friends will like that you won’t vibe with, and vise versa. That is completely normal, so please don’t base your preference off of your friend’s decision. And if you’re the only one in your friend group that is rushing, that’s even better. You won’t be biased towards anyone else’s pick!

#1: You’re finding the house that fits you, not trying to make yourself fit a certain house.

Look, there’s a reason Vanderbilt has nine different sorority houses. If every single house was the same, there would only be one house on campus. So if you feel yourself trying to change or act a certain way in one house, then that house isn’t for you. No hard feelings. It’s all about where you truly see yourself. During my recruitment I was told that sorority houses are kind of like shoes: there are some that are cute, but they may not fit you. You’re looking for the right fit! So, trust the process.

Hopefully this guide eases any nerves you may have about joining Greek Life. If all else fails, just be yourself! Good luck! –Abbey

#VanderbiltRush #VanderbiltGreekLife #Vandy #Vanderbilt #Rush

Filed Under: Features

Top 5 Best Christmas Activities in Nashville

December 6, 2022 by Abbey Woods

Hey y’all! Are we southern enough to say that yet? Well it’s Abbey, and this Christmas season, I’m going to show everyone how to get into the Christmas spirit– Nashville style, of course.

#5: Music City Christmas

This is a music city tradition! For all you performance lovers, the Nashville Symphony puts on a one-of-a-kind experience at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, only ten minutes from the commons! So if you’re still in town on December 18th, you can come to see dancing, Broadway singers, and special guests — including Santa Claus himself! Tickets are a bit pricey, so if you’re unable to attend, I still have four more events for you!

#4: Visit Savannah’s Candy Kitchen

Now what would this list be if I didn’t tell you where you could live out your Candy Cane Lane dreams. Savannah’s Candy Kitchen is only ten minutes away from the Commons, so if you’re looking for the perfect way to reward yourself after finals… this is the place.

#3: Holiday Lights at Cheekwood

The Holiday Lights at Cheekwood features gorgeous light displays along a one-mile walking path that sets the gardens aglow. With sparkling interactive features, s’mores and bar stations, and a 20-foot-tall poinsettia tree in the bedecked historic mansion Holiday Lights is a stop you’ll want to see. Though this place is about a 20 minute drive away from the Commons, there are also discounted admission just for college students! Just pitch in for the Uber fare with your friends and make some awesome memories.

#2: Try a New Flavor from Jeni’s

By now, you’ve probably heard of the famous Jeni’s ice cream shop. To get you into the Christmas spirit, Jeni’s is offering limited time flavors such as white chocolate peppermint, Mexican hot chocolate, pistachio macaron, and cranberry crumble; perfect for the holidays! Jeni’s is only a ten minute walk from the Commons, and you can use your Commodore Cash there! If you’re having trouble finding me after my economics final, just go to the Jeni’s and you’ll catch me with a pint of that white chocolate peppermint.

#1: Go Ice Skating at Enchant

Enchant is truly the place to be if you want to live out all of your Hallmark Christmas movie dreams. This place is literally presented by Hallmark, and if that doesn’t scream Christmas magic, I don’t know what does. There’s something for everyone here. If you’re not into ice skating, you can walk through the world’s largest Christmas maze, see live entertainment, do some cute shopping, and meet Santa in all his glory.

Final Thoughts:

I know finals are stressful, so remember to practice self-care. Hey, maybe by giving yourself a break and visiting one of these places. Whether you’re going home for winter break or staying on campus, I hope you have a very, merry Christmas and a happy holiday.

Filed Under: MCL Top Five

MCL News Minute-November 9, 2022

November 8, 2022 by Abbey Woods

Abbey delivers the info you need about events coming up on campus this week, including a mixer for international students, events to celebrate first-generation appreciation week, and the Commons Mix-Up Tacky Prom.  

Filed Under: MCL News Minute, Video

Fall at Vandy

November 1, 2022 by Abbey Woods

MCL producer Abbey has documented the beauty of Vanderbilt’s campus during some recent Fall days.

Filed Under: Features, Video, Video Features

MCL News Minute-September 28, 2022

September 27, 2022 by Abbey Woods

Abbey has the details you need to know about events coming up on campus, including the Service Fair, the Fall-iday Festival, and lots of opportunities for free food, too.

Filed Under: MCL News Minute, Video

Busting Dores Episode 3-Is Vanderbilt’s Gillette House Really the Worst?

September 20, 2022 by Abbey Woods

It seems to be ‘commons knowledge’ that Gillette is the worst house on Commons. Watch Abbey and the MCL team investigate if this is true, in our latest episode of Busting Dores!

Filed Under: Busting Dores, Video, Video Features

Busting Dores Episode 2-The Randwich

August 30, 2022 by Abbey Woods

Is the Randwich worth the hype?  MCL’s investigative Dore Buster Abbey stands in line and has her team share their tasting experiences to see if the talk of the famous Randwich is justified

Filed Under: Busting Dores, Video, Video Features

MCL News Minute-August 24, 2022

August 22, 2022 by Abbey Woods

Welcome to Vandy, to the Commons, and to MyCommons Life! Abbey delivers this MCL News Minute for your first week on campus, with details on events you should know about. She covers the Student Involvement Fair, a Writing Studio open house, and FREE cookies at the Dean’s residence.

Filed Under: MCL News Minute, Video

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