Visual Rhetoric on campus

So, it is the first week of college, a bright new beginning for each freshman incoming (myself). Adjusting to the hustle and bustle and mileage of this prototypical experience is a little daunting, but not too overwhelming. I am aware of a smile on my face everyday, so I seem to be managing. I make a walk across Library Bridge at least once everyday. This, I found to be the main conduit between classes, for it almost always is swarming with people. Now, as I meandered through the masses I became aware of many people dressed in very similar attire, albeit different shirts. Using my keen eyesight I couldn't help but notice the Greek letters in bold and some, in exotic animal print on the front of those shirts. I was then forced to deduce that "Rush Week" had begun. Sororities dress this way, all matching within their own societies, and casually wearing "Go Greek" buttons, according to my roommate, because they aren't to speak to anyone else besides their own kind, so wearing those shirts makes it easier to recognize a sister. I believe this rule is not for the purpose of keeping secret plans or whatever they may think, but for the purpose of representing unity. After all, they are looking for recruits...fresh blood to liven things up. They want people to notice them, and want to know what they are about and how great it would be to be a part of something big. How absolutely fabulous it would be to wear one of those shirts and have common ground with fellow students, where you wouldn't before, being new. How excellent it would be to just... belong. The wearing of a simple shirt can convey so much. The sororities are geniuses when it comes to rhetoric, and not just visually. My afore mentioned roommate is "rushing". She came home stressed and complaining about all the things they "suggest" that you do. Like: smelling nice, looking nice, not sweating, speaking politely, and fresh breath, because that is common courtesy to fellow "rushers". Why in the world would they accept someone who wasn't courteous? Then to top it all off you must somehow make an impression, be remembered. All the while you are conforming to their every want and regulation. What they really mean by these "suggestions" is do these things or you won't even be considered. So what do you do? Risk individuality to belong, or be unique and not belong? They are so persuasive, these sororities...