Sorority members on Sunday night had 12 minutes to make a good first impression.

About 100 freshmen and upperclassmen interested in rush spent 12 minutes touring each sorority house during open houses.

“It’s really just a great opportunity to get exposure to the Greek system,” said Deanna Pihos, a Rho Chi coordinator.

Interested women went into sorority houses in groups of about 20. They met active members and took tours of most of the houses.

The open houses also gave students the opportunity to register for Winter Rush. Nearly 60 students registered and paid the $30 fee, which covers maintenance fees and enters students into the rush database. Registered students also received a rush T-shirt.

Pihos, an Education senior, said she was happy with the overall turnout, especially the number of students who registered for rush.

As part of the university’s sesquicentennial celebrations, active members from each house briefly explained their sorority’s history to the potential rushees.

“It was a little bit different this year,” said Panhellenic Association President Sarah Personette, a Weinberg senior. “We had each house talk about their history and things they are proud of throughout their history.”

Potential rushees met at 6 p.m. in Harris Hall 107 before the open houses. Personette briefly spoke about the benefits of the Greek system and publicized the sororities’ upcoming firesides.

The women then split into groups led by Rho Chis, sorority members elected by their houses to help students during the rush process.

All 12 sororities participated in the open houses, including the newly recognized Alpha Delta Pi, which held its open house at Evans Scholars.

Potential rushees said the open houses were both enjoyable and informative.

“I thought it was fun,” Weinberg freshmen Jennifer Kramer said. “But it was a little chaotic. I’m glad I did it. It seems to be sort of what rush is going to be like.”

Medill freshman Campbell Roth said she liked the chance to see the houses before rush.

“It did get me more interested,” Roth said. “I got to see the houses and meet some people I hadn’t met. It was a good opportunity for girls who had questions to get their questions answered.”