Sorority rush week is again on school campuses throughout america — and on TikTok.
The web phenomenon often called “RushTok” — a once-a-year look inside the frenzy course of at giant U.S. schools 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 4 years of college.
“I’m very grateful. I’m very appreciative. … I’m excited to graduate and not be in debt from student loans,” Kylan Darnell, a junior on the College of Alabama who has been dubbed the “queen of RushTok,” instructed Fox Information Digital in an interview. “It’s definitely very freeing, very relieving, and I’m just very grateful for anybody that takes the time to go on my page and follow or watch a video or leave a comment. It’s just, wow. I’m just very appreciative.”
Darnell’s influencer-type social media presence has turn out to be a job for the faculty junior, one which she may pursue full-time, however she mentioned she needs to complete faculty and observe her desires of turning into a sports activities broadcaster. Initially from Ohio, Darnell known as the “queen of RushTok” label “funny” 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 web phenomenon often called “RushTok” — a once-a-year look inside the frenzy course of at giant U.S. schools and universities — attracts billions of views and likes on TikTok. (© Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa Information / USA TODAY NETWORK)
“I think people like to watch my videos because I’m truly having fun,” she mentioned, including later, “RushTok is my favorite time of year.”
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.
NORTH CAROLINA CAMPUS SECURITY OFFICER GOES VIRAL FOR HUGGING GRADUATING SENIORS BEFORE COMMENCEMENT
Some customers watching movies underneath the #RushTok tag on TikTok are searching for inspiration for their very own Greek Life pursuits, whereas others with no real 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, exhibiting coordinated dances, dress-up themes, outfit reveals (a few of that are sponsored by vogue labels), suggestions for stepping into one’s No. 1 sorority home and extra.
Here’s a checklist of the 5 craziest RushTok traits of the 2024-2025 faculty 12 months thus far:
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 this is the rush content i want,” one TikTok person wrote on a video exhibiting the sorority’s outlandish blue costumes.
“You have us wanting to rush kappa,” wrote one other person.
Greater than 500 girls obtained 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 choose themes to observe. One in all 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.
15 OF THE WILDEST, WACKIEST COLLEGE CLASSES TAUGHT IN AMERICA TODAY
3. Sorority rap songs
Darnell highlighted a tune made particularly for her sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha, on TikTok. The tune by YOUNG036 known as “Nice Day To Be A ZTA,” and members of the sorority have been sharing movies exhibiting 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 nicely, together with Chi Omega, Tri Delta, Gamma Phi Beta and others, in response to 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 — function sponsored content material, which is why she and different RushTok influences have made one thing of a profession out of their social media pages.
HIGH COLLEGE COSTS DROVE THIS 19-YEAR-OLD TO BECOME A TRUCK DRIVER
A few of these movies function worth breakdowns for recruitment outfits which have eye-watering worth tags, starting from a couple of hundred {dollars} to greater than $10,000. A TikTok person named Destinee Moreh has made her personal model, analyzing the price of different ladies’ outfits movies on TikTok.
Darnell flew to London on Monday — the identical day she reached 1,000,000 followers on TikTok — for a “brand trip” 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 a degree to indicate 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 decisions.
“Greek life provides … an invaluable set of transferable skills because Greek life is the entry point to their college and then professional careers. This is often the first time girls learn how to network, prepare a resume and learn how to market themselves, which can be used long into your professional life,” Climbing in Heels CEO and founder Stacia Damon instructed “America Reports” final 12 months.
The eccentric RushTok movies garner billions of views annually and many reward, but in addition a good quantity of judgment.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Darnell encourages customers to be form and respectful, noting that sorority members and recruits are younger — many nonetheless youngsters — making an attempt to profit from their school experiences. Some are staying away from residence for the primary time of their lives, making an attempt to fulfill new pals, whereas others are on the point of graduate and begin their careers outdoors faculty.
“Just remember, these girls are very vulnerable and that your opinions, what you say about their outfits and stuff like that, can hurt them. So, just remember, be positive,” she mentioned.
