How to use your senior photos for sorority recruitment

Let’s face it…first impressions are everything! So when it comes to sorority recruitment, the photo you submit on your sorority rush application is important! You don’t want to use the boring yearbook photo because that is less memorable than a standout photo from your senior sesssion!

Sororities receive thousands of applications and with those applications there are thousands of photos. Standing out in the sea of photos submitted is the key!

Why do sororities need a photo of you?

One of the things I think a lot of people think when it comes to photos for sorority recruitment is that they are going to be judged solely on their appearance by submitting a photo. But the truth of the matter is, sororities need photos of rushees so that they can recognize you when you walk through the door. That’s really it.

The images are used to remember girls that are coming through rush and they are used so that when someone wants other girls in the sorority to recruit you, they can show them the photo and they can make sure to find you during the rush party to get to know you better! We remember what we see, and seeing a photo of you that stands out will help the girls in the sorority remember you throughout the entire process.

How to choose the best photo to submit to sorority recruitment

Picking the right photo to submit with your application is important to this process. What you want is a photo that stands out in a good way and allows the sorority to see you! Your photo should reflect your best self, your style and your personality.

A professional photo is always going to be better than an iphone photo, which is why your senior photos are best to use! Here are a few things to consider when choosing the photo you submit on your sorority recruitment application:

Background – You want to make sure that you choose a photo that showcases you, not the background so make sure the background and location is simple in the photo you submit. Make sure you are the first thing people see instead of the surroundings, location or background.

Outfit – I love when seniors bring a variety of clothing to their senior photos but when it comes to choosing a photo for your recruitment application, make sure you are choosing one where you are wearing something that is not overly trendy but classic and doesn’t date you. Also choose one where you are wearing a color that compliments your skin tone as well as a style that flatters your figure. And most importantly…make sure you are not wearing something that is too revealing in your photo! You may absolutely look fabulous on the beach in a bikini but that is NOT the photo to submit to sorority recruitment!

Composition of photo – When I take senior photos, I make sure to include a variety of compositions including close ups, wide shots, headshots, full body and more. Some recruitment applications will request a specific composition and if so, make sure to submit that type. But if they don’t specify, my advice is to submit a vertical photo that shows at least 3/4 of you to a full body shot but not one that is so far away that you are not the main focus of the photo. This means a waist up or full body photo works best. A super close up may not show enough of you so be wary of submitting one that is just your head! 🙂

Editing – Senior photos in general should not be overly edited! But definitely do not submit a photo for sorority recruitment that has filters that change the way you look or have been airbrushed so much that you don’t look real. You want your photo to be clean and as true to life as possible.

Final tips to remember when choosing your sorority recruitment photo

• Remember to choose a photo that focuses on you, not the background.
• Make sure to choose a vertical 3/4 or full body image
• Change your social media profile photo to the photo you submit on your rush application. This way when a sorority receives your app and photo, they will also see that photo when they go check out your social media!
• Submit a photo that is professional and not an iphone photo
• Be sure to submit your application and photo before the deadline!

Below are some examples of great photos to submit! Good luck with rush!!