Technically...but I think it would be the very, very rare occasion. Additionally, if the RFM specialists sees that ABC's retention is not as strong leading into pref or if they have a bad day earlier on, she can use the flex list to ensure they have a "better" chance of making quota by inviting additional women to the next round.

More importantly, any chapter that large is going to want to finish their recruitment sooner than later so they can move on to other activities. So in my personal opinion - in the off chance something like that were to happen they would snap bid or COB right away.

But then if there is a chapter under total, how do they ever catch up if the over-total chapters can take quota for thar long? Multiple pledge classes? Bidding up to "campus average"?

aumom2010, I feel for you. We all know that it is a mutual selection process and we hope and pray it works for everyone - the PNMs and the sorority members. I think RFM has made a big difference in evening the numbers in sororities out (and in reducing the meaning of tiers) and that this has been good for everyone. These things happen the rest of your life unless you are a hermit. In the working world, we have layoffs and situations where only one or some of several peers are promoted. In churches, we have elections for deacon/elder/vestry and other offices and, interestingly, people are hesitant to run for fear of losing. And on the member selection side, in the work world, you may interview someone, think they are perfect for the job, offer it, and be turned down. In some ways, I think this whole recruitment process is a preparation for life and that everyone who goes through it can learn from it.

For the girls who are not happy with their Pref choices. I too say go, give it a chance. If yoyr daughters decide it's not for htem, they made a decision with all possible information. I agree too on the goodie package with all the AU Stuff. I have an active daughter at Auburn but she has found some of her best friends from other activities: IMPACT, Study Abroad, Religious Activites and Honors College. Encourage your daughter to get involved somewhere no matter her Greek decision. Auburn is a GREAT school that takes care of their students. War Eagle!

I highly recommend that she still attend that pref party. She has absolutely nothing to lose and possible membership to gain. They liked her enough to put her somewhere on their bid list (where she falls will determine if she makes the cut).

She WAS NOT FOUND LACKING. She is one of those 800 girls; she has a house of 150 girls (or more) who want her.

I guess I just can't see not giving them one more chance, since they gave her one more. :)

There are more sororities involved in COB at Auburn than many of you think..some very good ones, not just 'less desirable' so to speak. It isn't only graduation that has an impact on member totals, it's the economy. With the downturn in the economy many girls have had to take alumni status. There is a large student population at Auburn from Georgia and many students have been forced to transfer back to Georgia schools where they receive in state tuition. Not that any girl should rely on COB if they can get a bid during formal recruitment, but if someone is completely cut then there is still a chance of finding a sorority home where she will be happy. I almost feel like the days of there being a stigma attached to sororities participating in COB are long gone as more top tier houses participate in order to keep their finances stable.

Just heard from my daughter. Prefs are over! She can see PNMs lined up to rank their preferences so we will finally know the end of everyone's story tomorrow!! It's going to be a long night for the actives, but probably even longer for the PNMs.

GCers, as exciting as this is, and as much as we / you want to know some outcomes, please remember to give PNMs, moms, dads, etc respect and courtesy: try not to "pester" people for news. There may be reasons why someone's not mentioning results.

Thank you!

Sorry, you are absolutely right! I was thinking more of my daughter and the girls she met this week during recruitment. I don't know if any of the posters we have had on here are going down for bid day, but if they do, it could be Sunday before we hear from them anyway.

Where are they holding Bid Day? When my daughter went through it was at the grassy ampitheatre place and Aubie showed up to pass out bids.

Pref Day - Final update
 

The PNM's have their phones back and Emma has texted.

She has turned in her preferences at the computer lab. As I expected, she still favors the Reds, who have been on the top of her list since Ice Water Teas. She was uncertain how to rank her other two options, as it was basically a toss up between them. She did rank them, and has maximized her options.

I asked her how she felt about the other PNM's who were with her at the preference events, as they may be her pledge sisters, and she seemed OK with them. She gets along well with people so I am confident that she will be OK wherever she ends up.

It is my understanding that by maximizing her options, she is essentially guaranteed a bid by Panhellenic. How they do this, I don't know. Is this where quota additions come into play?

It's been a roller coaster week. Emma has been released by some groups she liked; but she has also released some groups, including some of the so called "top tier" houses. She has followed her heart, wherever it has led her, and I am proud of that.

My wife and I are looking forward to hearing some good news tomorrow, but are somewhat wistful about the fact that we won't be able to be there on bid day to share the occasion with her.

I'll update you when we hear the news.

AXOrushadvisor, thanks for saying this, and I bolded your statement because I've seen it happen. And it works both ways: a pledge class can run a chapter in the opposite direction.

TriDeltaSallie, you are amazing. I have no idea where you are geographically but if you're ever in my neck of the woods I'd love to take you to lunch.

Soapbox: There are No Bad Chapters. Period. Every GLO is amazing. I understand that we are talking about 18 year olds (mostly) for whom other peoples' opinions are paramount. But I know better. I for one am fed up with all this tier talk. Can I stop it? Probably not. But I think it is disrespectful, hurtful, and damaging on multiple levels. I have never met a GLO member, of any letters, NPC OR NPHC, that I wouldn't love to call my sister. Membership is for a lifetime, and the connections we all share are invaluable.

Whatever the outcome, I send best wishes to all the Auburn PNMs and their families. This thread has taught me a lot.

Yes this is where quota additions come in to play. By playing by all the rules and maximizing her options, she will get a bid to one of her 3 preferences. Not necessarily her first but one of the three. If all fill to quota, before her name is reached on the ordered lists, then she will be placed by the NPC specialist in one of the three chapters.

I noticed two references to parents being present at bid day. Is this something that parents should plan to do? I have thought about whether I should make plans to be present at my daughter's school (The University of Texas) the day before bid day (in case she is not invited to pref) and/or on bid day. I know it may be different at every campus, but can someone tell me whether it is customary for parents to be at or near campus at that time during recruitment? If so, what should be expected? Is this something the PNMs welcome?
Any insights would be greatly appreciated!