What's College Rushing?

I've heard the term 'college rushing' but I'm not really sure what it means. Can someone explain it to me and how it might affect the application process?

College "rushing" typically refers to the process of joining a fraternity or sorority when you start college, not something related to the application process. Rush is a series of events and activities conducted by fraternities and sororities to recruit new members. During the rush period, students have the opportunity to attend events, meet current members, and learn about the values, philanthropy, and traditions of the organizations they're interested in.

This process usually happens during the first few weeks of the academic term and shouldn't be confused with applying to colleges. The purpose of rushing is for potential new members to find a fraternity or sorority that aligns with their values and interests, offering them a supportive community while at college.

The rushing process itself will not affect your college application. However, if you're interested in participating in Greek life when you attend college, it may be helpful to research institutions with a strong Greek presence or a variety of active organizations to choose from. Keep in mind that participation in Greek life is not a requirement, and many students have fulfilling college experiences without joining fraternities or sororities.

To sum it up, "college rushing" refers to the process of joining fraternities or sororities and takes place after you've enrolled in college. It doesn't directly affect the application process, but it may be a factor in your choice of schools if you're interested in participating in Greek life.