[Zillini]

I'm sorry to hear you got bad advice Dad and that your daughter suffered. With 1400+ women going through recruitment often the Chapters use GPA and/or not having Recs as a quick and easy way to narrow the pool of candidates. It's nothing personal.

So what can she do now? I hope she placed her name on the "Interested in Snap Bids" list with Panhellenic. Depending on how bid matching went last night that may have given her a second chance. If she didn't or if no one needed to snap (unknown at this time) or if the Chapters snapping felt they didn't know her well enough to extend a bid, that's fine too. Joining a sorority is still an option, just not right away.

The next step is for her to register with Panhellenic as being interested in COR (informal recruitment). This list will be given to any Chapter below Chapter Total and/or didn't reach quota. At this point I have no idea of who or how many may be in this position, if any. But when these Chapters hold COR events hopefully they will give her a call.

Honestly if she wants to go the COR route, spring is probably more likely and here's why. First, more women are graduating in less than 4 years. Many are taking large class loads, plus short term and summer term. The biggest reason now days is financial. The sooner you graduate, the less tuition you have to pay and maybe the less loans you have. Then there are also women who transfer schools and some who do not return to the University in spring either for financial, grades or other personal reasons. My point being, it is possible that come spring some Chapters may fall below Chapter Total and will need to COR to get their numbers back up.

Second, last spring Panhellenic reviewed the numbers and decided to significantly raise Chapter Total. With another year of large pledge classes, it is possible Chapter Total may be raised again. The '06 spring raise pushed about 6 Chapters below Total (for the reasons I stated above) and they had to COR. FYI - Many of these Chapters hadn't COR'ed in eons and it was a "new" experience. At this point we don't know if this will happen but it is a distinct possibility.

Finally, there is next year's formal Recruitment. Several years ago we added an Upperclassmen Quota separate from the Freshmen. Prior to this it was nearly impossible for a sophomore+ to get a bid unless she was a superstar on campus and/or had tons of friends in a particular Chapter. They were severely discriminated against because everyone was hung up on getting a 4 year committment from members. This Upperclassmen Quota has changed all that. Now when you take a Soph you aren't "sacrificing" a Freshman. But don't get me wrong, it's still competitive.

I suggest your daughter concentrate first and foremost on making sure she gets good grades. That is still huge factor whether she goes through COR or waits until fall. FYI I'd suggest she use the previous semester's Panhellenic average as a minimum target. Spring '06 was a 3.18 and it keeps climbing. Also she should try to get to know as many women in each of the Chapters as possible. COR is much more laid back giving everyone the luxury of time. We can really get to know a PNM before deciding whether to issue a bid. Same thing for the PNM. She can decide if this is indeed the sorority for her. If your daughter waits until fall it will still help her with Formal Recruitment. It's easier for any PNM if she has a whole bunch of friends on the "inside" pulling for her. She should also get involved in campus clubs, service organization, etc. Not only is it still important to have a strong resume but it's also a great way to meet sorority members who are also involved in these groups.

So what about those Recs? It certainly wouldn't hurt right now but it's not that big a deal. During the months leading up to Formal Recruitment Recs are treated like gold. Heaven forbid one gets lost! The world may come crashing down! But afterwards, well let's just say folks aren't nearly as diligent in keeping track of them especially if they aren't needing to COR. Besides, COR is far more focussed on getting to know the PNM. If/when a bid is pending, then a Rec is important and depending on the GLO possibly required. If a Chapter wants to issue a COR bid this is when we can go looking for one.

But like I said, this is all my personal opinions and others may think differently.