If you are anything like me, you might have been glued to your phone for weeks on end watching all of the #Bamarushtok content. But, even if you weren’t, it’s safe to assume you’ve probably seen a video or two. Though the University of Alabama is famous for their rush process, they aren’t the only school with a super popular rush experience. All over the country, universities have hundreds to thousands of girls going through rush every fall.

The process of rush is like a week-long round of speed dating through sororities—which can be super fun—but also overwhelming and intimidating for anyone. Everyone has different experiences during rush, which is why I think it is so important for anyone considering going through the process to hear how other people’s experiences went.

Former Rosary volleyball star McKenna Overman ’22 has recently stepped out of her comfort zone and joined the rush experience at her school. McKenna is currently a freshman at The University of Mississippi where she is majoring in Sports Management and Recreation. She loved the rush experience and is now a proud Kappa Kappa Gamma at the university! I had the opportunity to interview her and get some insight into her experience.

Q: What were your expectations going into Rush week?

A: Going into rush, I didn’t know what to expect which made me extremely nervous. I wasn’t planning on even rushing in the first place because I thought I would be miserable because of how girly it is. My roommate told me that she would be rushing, so I decided to join because I didn’t want to feel left out. No one in my family had ever rushed or been a part of Greek life before, so I walked into the process completely blind. I expected all the girls in all of the houses to be perfect and say all of the right things. Though some girls were like that, I just continued to do me and not change myself for the house that I was in—which ultimately led me to find my home!

Q: Summarize your feelings throughout the rush process.

A: At the beginning, I was super nervous because I had never done anything like it before, but once I left the first round, I was comfortable. I could tell what would likely happen in the other houses, so I could prepare myself more as the week went on. But the closer we got to the end, the nerves got more and more intense, but not the kind of nerves you would think. I went from thinking, “What if I don’t say the right things?” to “I will be sad for the rest of my life if I don’t see this house on my schedule,” which is something I never thought I would feel during Rush.

I never thought it would become such an intense process for me because I really never saw myself becoming a sorority girl in the South. After leaving my last house, I was relieved because I knew I had done all I could do at that point, so it was time to trust that all my prayers would be answered, and I would end up where I was meant to!

Q: Tell us about your Bid Day.

A: Bid day was the scariest of them all. At my school they gather all the girls into the gym where we meet our Recruitment Counselors, or “Rho Chi’s” and they get to reveal which sorority they are in. Then they handed out our bid cards and the countdown began. Once they said “…1” I ripped my card open and was so ecstatic to see my top house. After that I went to the area I was supposed to meet at, where I found out that my roommate and I had gotten the same house. Finally, once all of the girls were together they opened the doors and I ran home.

It was amazing seeing all the KKG keys being waved in the air, and when I found my key I ran over and my girl gave me the biggest hug ever. Seeing everyone so happy brought me so much joy, because I knew they all felt the love that I did!

Q: Do you have any advice for Rosary students who are considering rushing at their schools?

A: If you’re debating on whether to Rush or not… do it. I was personally so unsure about rushing, but I am so happy that I did. I have met some of the best girls ever, and it has just been so much fun! You will hear this hundreds of times during Rush, but you have to just trust the process.

In the end, you will end up where you belong—even if it’s not where you think you’re meant to be. Also, it’s so important to stay true to yourself. It’s completely possible for you to be proper and say all the right things without changing who you are!

Q: Anything else you want to share?

A: Yes! Talk to EVERYONE!!! Everyone is looking for some new friends, and even though it may seem like they all have their friend groups, just join them. I know it may feel weird or intimidating, but just do it. I have definitely already met my roommates for next year, but that would’ve never happened if I had just stayed to myself or the people I had known previously.

KKG has stolen the key to McKenna’s heart. The Rosary Family is so proud of you, and we can’t wait watch you flourish in your new home! To keep up with McKenna Overman and all things KKG, head over to her Instagram: @mckennaoverman_

Thanks for reading, and make sure to come back next week for Part 2 of Royals Do Rush!!