At a family dinner on my 19th birthday, my dad asked me (mid-bite, may I add) what the greatest thing I had learned from my 19 years on this Earth was. I looked at him and laughed at such a serious question, but I immediately knew my response.
Choosing Tulane was the first real decision I made for myself. The second real decision I made for myself was rushing AKPsi. I look back during my first semester of Freshman year, wondering how I made it through such a tough transition, especially after being kicked off campus from hurricane Ida. Coming to Tulane was a completely fresh start for me. Besides the faces I could recognize on the Tulane Class of 2025 Instagram page, I did not know a single soul. But this was the reason I chose Tulane. I wanted to start a brand new chapter. Tulane is the setting of this new chapter, but the pages would be blank if I had not rushed AKPsi (yes, I am the main character).
After finally being back on campus following Hurricane Ida fall of 2021, I remember walking down McCallister and seeing a giant banner that said, “Rush AKPsi and travel to new heights, open to all majors!” I honestly had no idea what AKPsi was, let alone what they did as an organization. But, looking back at the time, I was incredibly lost in all aspects of the word. I was on the fence about my academic journey, I was feeling behind socially because of the hurricane, and I felt unsure of my decision to be at Tulane.
After seeing the banner on McCallister, I decided to go to one of the information sessions and check it out. I will never forget the feeling of sitting in Qatar ballroom with over 100 other students, being so doubtful of myself and immediately discounting my chance at getting anywhere beyond the rush process. Little did I know, 8 weeks later, I would be a completely different human with a completely different perspective as a Brother of the organization.
I attended the remaining rush events and kept trying to learn more about brothers and their experience in the organization through networking opportunities, despite every bone in my body telling me to retreat from this uncomfortable position. I fell in love with the organization after listening to the brotherhood panel and speaking to the brothers directly. I went into the interview with a genuine passion for AKPsi and its community.
Looking back a year later as a brother, I am a completely different person. The confidence I have now, and the overall knowledge of what I bring to the table is translated back to my entire rush and pledging process. The people I chose to surround myself with that make Tulane feel like home are my fellow brothers within my pledge class and the entire organization. And the professional advancement I have received in such a short period has made me one step ahead of the game and has relieved stress surrounding my professional passions and future pursuits. All this growth is tied back to AKPsi.
I say this not only to inspire you to learn more about this incredible organization that has been the backbone of my Tulane Experience but also to challenge your comfort zone. It would be easy to sit in the back of the room, listen to what others say, and leave reflecting on the event. That is what I wanted to do. Instead, I pushed against myself and challenged myself to speak to people!! As trivial as it sounds, this was a barrier for me during my first semester, and it is for most.
To go back to my birthday dinner story I presented earlier, the greatest thing I have learned is that growth is impossible without discomfort. So, Rush AKPsi! Even if it does not end the way you want it to, I can promise you that the Rush process alone will teach you more than any freshman, sophomore, or college-level class can! So, choose the uncomfortable and choose AKPsi.
By Allie Sansone
