Dear Potential New Members,

Recruitment is such a roller coaster of emotions but it is still such an experience. Even though it's extremely overwhelming, it's important to remember that everything happens for a reason. 

When I went through recruitment, I had no idea what to expect. I knew it was overwhelming and scary, but I could have never imagined the impact one chapter and 200+ girls could do for me. When I walked into AEPhi for the first time, I could feel the love and support from all the sisters in the house. The girls who rushed me were extremely welcoming and made me feel at home right away. The conversations I had in AEPhi were so natural and I felt like we had been friends for years. It was in that moment that I realized that I wanted AEPhi to be my home. 

The most important thing to remember when going through recruitment is to have an open mind and follow your heart. You want to be surrounded by sisters who push you to be the best version of yourself each and every day. Sisters are people who will support you through anything and everything. Today, I am on the 2021 executive board and I have the greatest circle of friends and sisters to lean on. I have AEPhi to thank for that.

I feel so at home with my phi's and I hope you all find something as special and warm as I did!

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Good luck with recruitment!

Lauren Cohen

Vice President of Recruitment​

Lauren Cohen

Dear Potential New Members,

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I want to start off by thanking you. I am thanking you in advance for trusting me to guide you through your specialized new member process. My job as Vice President of New Member Education, or Phi Mom, is to teach you the ins and outs of this magnificent sorority, and to welcome you into our home on the end of row. I am going to put 110% effort into making sure you feel the way I felt as a new member: cared for, celebrated, welcomed, and (eventually) comfortable & at home. 

My twin, mother, aunt, and cousins are all sisters of AEPhi at UF. When I was going through recruitment, I told myself I wanted to break this pattern and start anew. After opening my bid day card that read “Alpha Epsilon Phi,” I gave it a shot and very shortly after knew this is where I was meant to me. I truly do not see myself anywhere else with anyone other than the sisters I have today. I am beyond thankful that I get to make my own memories in this sorority, like you will, along with sharing these memories with my family who has memories of their own to share. 

I am honored to be your New Member Educator, and truly cannot wait to meet you guys when you run home on Bid Day. I am beyond happy that I get to be your first welcome to the AEPhi house, but I want to introduce you guys to it as the AEPhi home. A house is defined as a building where you live, but a home is a building that you feel belongs to you. I can assure you that once you enter this beautiful home, it will belong to you and stay with you forever. I can also assure you that once you step into this home, you will be surrounded by unconditional love from an assortment of women. Every woman in this chapter has differences, but we all have the same feelings of compassion and love toward Alpha Epsilon Phi and our sisters. In AEPhi, we take pride in our sisterhood, and I know that the friends I have made just these past two years will stay in my life forever because of it. I am counting down the days until I get to meet you all, and am honored to be your first welcome into the Member Class of 2021 for this wonderful chapter, Alpha Epsilon Phi. 

Jillian Melinek

Vice President of New Member Education