Incoming Freshman Reveals the Sorority Outfits That Unexpectedly Made Her Famous on Bama Rush TikTok (Exclusive)
Incoming Freshman Reveals the Sorority Outfits That Unexpectedly Made Her Famous on Bama Rush TikTok (Exclusive)
Jordan GreeneTue, August 4, 2026 at 6:51 PM UTC
0
Katilyn Hahn getting ready for Alabama Rush.Credit: Courtesy of Katilyn Hahn -
Katilyn Hahn’s TikTok about her sorority rush outfits went viral, gaining thousands of likes within hours
The first-generation college student is navigating recruitment with minimal guidance and learning tips from TikTok
Hahn thrifted many of her outfits to save money and is excited to find a new sisterhood at college
When Katilyn Hahn posted a TikTok showing the outfits she had selected for sorority recruitment at the University of Alabama, she wasn’t trying to become part of RushTok.
The 18-year-old, who grew up in a small, rural town on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, simply wanted to give her high school friends a sneak peek before heading to campus.
“When I first decided to go to the University of Alabama, I told all of my high school friends that I was going to rush,” Hahn tells PEOPLE exclusively. “They were so excited to see my outfits through Snapchat videos and hear about my days through late-night FaceTime calls, so I posted it for them.”
“I actually filmed it before going shopping for dorm items and posted it while I was standing in the Walmart checkout line,” she continues. “By the time I got to my car five minutes later, it already had around 200 likes.”
That night, Hahn stayed on FaceTime with a friend as they watched the video climb to 10,000 likes. By the following morning, that number had tripled, and her video had amassed hundreds of thousands of views and thousands of comments, introducing her to the millions of viewers who follow the University of Alabama’s sorority recruitment process online each year.
“AHHH MY FIRST BAMA RUSH VIDEO OF 2026,” one user commented.
“Rushtok is officially back 👀,” Pottery Barn Dorm chimed in.
“Ahhh I’ve been waiting all year for the bama rush videos!!!” another replied.
Katilyn Hahn holding up a dress.Credit: Courtesy of Katilyn Hahn
The sudden attention has been exciting but somewhat surreal for Hahn, who is navigating recruitment much like many of the people following along: by learning as she goes.
As a first-generation college student, she doesn’t have anyone in her family who has participated in Greek life, leaving her without the built-in guidance that some potential new members may have.
“I’m going into this knowing the bare minimum,” she says. “But honestly, that’s been kind of calming because I don’t have any preconceived expectations that I can overthink or stress about.”
Instead, Hahn has turned to the same resource as many incoming freshmen: TikTok.
“I’ve been trying on my outfits, breaking in my shoes and stalking old TikToks that share Rush tips,” Hahn says. “Any video I come across is helpful.”
Advertisement
Despite the attention surrounding her outfits, Hahn’s decision to participate in recruitment has never been about the clothes or her newfound online audience. She attended an all-girls Catholic high school, where the idea of sisterhood was woven into everyday life, and the friendships she formed there remain some of her closest.
“I still talk to my high school sisters all the time,” she says. “I’m excited to join a new sisterhood and make new memories.”
As Hahn prepares for recruitment, she also has to balance her excitement with the cost. Rather than splurging on an entirely new wardrobe, she assembled each look herself, purchasing her own dresses, shoes, jewelry and accessories while finding opportunities to save wherever she could.
“Some of my dresses are actually thrifted from Depop,” she says. “I figured I’d probably only wear some of them once or twice, so it made more sense.”
“Once you add the dresses, shoes, jewelry and accessories together, it definitely adds up,” she adds.
Although Hahn’s videos continue to reach new viewers, she says the response has been overwhelmingly positive, with some followers even offering practical advice as she prepares for recruitment.
“I try not to read too much into the comments because there are always going to be some negative ones,” she says. “But for the most part, people have been really supportive.”
“I’ve gotten recommendations for things like shoes and bags,” Hahn adds. “Those tips have actually come in handy.”
Katilyn Hahn holding up a dress.Credit: Courtesy of Katilyn Hahn
Once recruitment officially begins, however, Hahn plans to take a step back from the online Rush conversation so she can focus on her own experience without comparing it to anyone else’s.
“I actually want to stay off RushTok during recruitment because I want to keep a clear state of mind,” she says. “I’ll still post my normal TikToks, but I don’t want to get caught up in comparing my experience.”
Above all, Hahn is eager to build the same sense of community in college that she valued throughout high school.
“Most importantly,” she says, “I’m looking forward to finding a new home with my new sisters.”
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
