“Do I Even Belong Here?”: Imposter Syndrome During Sorority Recruitment (And How to Deal)
You’ve got the outfit, you’ve practiced your small talk, and you’re smiling so much your cheeks hurt. Welcome to sorority recruitment—an intense mix of excitement, nerves, and, for many, a sneaky visitor called imposter syndrome.
As someone who has been through recruitment on all sides, as a Potential New Member, as an active, and as an Advisor, I get it—recruitment can be overwhelming.
It can also be an incredible bonding experience and a time of amazing Sisterhood…so long as we don’t let the imposter syndrome get in the way.
Imposter syndrome is that inner voice whispering, “Everyone else fits in better than you. You’re just faking it.” It’s the feeling that you’re not good enough, not interesting enough, or not whatever enough—despite plenty of evidence that you’re doing just fine.
And during recruitment week? Imposter syndrome tends to go full glam.
How Imposter Syndrome Shows Up During Recruitment
Sorority recruitment can feel like a high-stakes social gauntlet. You're meeting tons of new people, trying to figure out where you fit, and you may feel like you’re getting low-key (or high-key) judged along the way. So it makes sense that self-doubt might crash the party.
Here’s how it might show up:
• “Why would they pick me?” You assume everyone else is more confident, cooler, or better dressed than you.
• You overanalyze everything. Did I talk too much? Not enough? Was that laugh too loud?
• You start to shrink. You dim your own light because you don’t want to be “too much”—or not enough.
• You take rejection personally. Didn’t get called back to a house you liked? It must mean you're not good enough (spoiler: it doesn’t).
Imposter syndrome thrives in situations where you feel evaluated or out of your element—and recruitment checks both boxes.
Why You're Not Alone
First, let’s get one thing straight: feeling like an outsider doesn’t mean you are one.
College is a massive transition, and recruitment can make you feel like you’re put under a microscope before you've even figured out where the dining hall is.
Add in the fact that sorority culture can sometimes feel like it comes with an unspoken “type,” and it’s easy to believe you don’t measure up—especially if you’re coming from a different background, identity, or vibe.
But here’s the truth: You’re not the only one thinking this. Most people are faking confidence while secretly hoping they’re liked, too.
How to Cope Like a Pro
So what do you do when imposter syndrome starts shouting in your ear?
1. Flip the script. Instead of “Am I good enough for them?” ask, “Are they the right fit for me?” Recruitment is a two-way street.
2. Be your full self, not your filtered one. You don’t need to play a role to belong somewhere. The right house will like you for you.
3. Normalize the nerves. Everyone feels a little awkward. That doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong—it means you’re human.
4. Talk back to the voice. When imposter syndrome pops up, treat it like background noise. Acknowledge it, then carry on.
5. Remember your value isn’t on trial. Whether or not you join a sorority, your worth isn’t defined by anyone else’s opinion.
At the end of the day, sorority recruitment is just one part of your college story—not the whole book. You already belong in this chapter. Now go write it your way.