To be honest, it probably does help a rushee to be "attractive", just like it helps a job applicant. That may not be an official criteria for either sorority rushing or job application, but its definitely a factor. This does not mean that anyone is ruled out or judged negatively if they aren't "cute". And, it also doesn't mean that a girl gets in just because she is cute. But, it does mean that all things being equal, it helps.

Face it, people with good looks do have an edge socially. People with lots of money do too. So do people who have influence (i.e., their brother is a big rock star or their dad is a U.S. Senator).

But does any of this change the overall mix. I don't think so. Most sororites have a nice blend of different personalities, backgrounds, financial status, religions, and looks. There arent that many budding Miss Americas who are rich and are a daughter to the Governor coming through rush. That leaves pleanty of room for the rest of us.

PLEASE!!! While this may be the case at Tibi's school (and others), let me assure anyone who is less familiar with the Greek system that this is not true of all chapters. (This can only be determined by getting to know members at EACH school.) I never really cared what a sister wore/looked like as long as she wasn't showing body parts that should be covered. I also never remember my chapter caring during rush if a girl had a big butt, long nose, or frizzy hair. (Chances were, someone else in the chapter had those as well!) I don't think people are going to question prospective new members to see if they have a medical reason for being overweight and if they do, only let "those" overweight members in. Why not ask people if they have heart disease and diabetes while we are at it since those people might slow us down? (Note: EXTREME sarcasm here!)

I could care less if the guys thought my chapter was the hottest, I'm happy knowing that we have the "hottest" sisterhood. The guys are going to come and go but sisterhood, mine anyway, is FOREVER.

I hate to say this, but this is from personal experience. I went through Recruitment as a freshman, after being at school for barely a week. I did not dress in the most stylish fashions of the moment, but I dressed well, was well groomed, had several activities, and excellent grades, I am very petite and far from over weight, long blonde hair (had to mention since I know that is the typical stereotype)...yet I know for a fact that I was cut from some places due to the fact that I was not "hot." I definitly have never looked my age, and still do not. I love my sorority and my chapter. I am glad I ended up where I did, because if I went to one of those places that had cut me I would have been with the wrong kind of girls for the wrong reasons. Tow years after I went through recruitment I still met girls in other sorority that were shocked and appalled at where I was a sister, that said I should have been somewhere else...even my PNMs when I was a Rho Chi pegged me to be from another chapter. Just because my sisters are not all models, does not mean they are not the most wonderful people around. I have even had people make the comment that I am too pretty to be in my sorority at my school...how dare anyone say that to me! How superfical!

ok, this whole conversation is becoming rediculous.
some people prefer to be around people who take care of themselves physically (ie. health, fitness, ect.). some people don't think that that matters. All of this is reflected in who you are. it doesn't make you a bad or good person, its just the way things are. thats why there are many, MANY different organizations out there.
the whole point is is basically, should DukeBlue rush , bc she had heard some rumours about sorority women basing their membership on looks. My answer to this is yes, she should go through recruitment to see for herself if those rumours are true. Lets hope they aren't!
So whats y'alls answers?

ees125-I went through the same exact thing on my campus. The girls in my house are not models at all, but they are the nicest girls on campus. Just because I was "hot," people made comments to me like "you don't fit in there." Oh! I guess I can't be hot and want to be around an entire group of nice girls.

Unfortunately, the "hot" sororities also get stereotyped on my campus. They are either known as "stuck-up," "b*tches," or "sluts." Because our campus is so small, I know most of these girls are they do not fit their stereotypes at all!

My bottom line when choosing a house was I could align myself with those negative stereotypes, true or not, and people would assume that of me. Unfortunately, people do not even have to get to know you, just your Greek letters, before they will assume that you are "slutty" or whatever. I figured the best way to go was to join the "nice, unattractive" girls because people can look at me and clearly see that I'm not unattractive. They can't look at me and see that I'm not a "slut."

I hate stereotypes! People are so cognitively lazy!! *sighs*

Great Post maggieaxid
 

Kudos to you maggieaxid! She should definitely give recruitment a chance, then judge for herself. :)

Greek Love,
Jen

I think every organization greek or not gets pigon-holed. There's always a "smart" group, "slut" group, "athletic" group...you get the point. Once you stop being intimidated by the rumors & find out for yourself, you realize that the rumors weren't true.
DukeBlue- go through recruitment. If a sorority cuts you for superficial reasons you don't want to be there anyway. If you're kept purely because you're hot, then be the leader who starts taking girls for personality traits and not for their looks. :D good luck
Heidi

I agree with Heidi about rumors. The movie "Legally Blonde" has a lot of truth to it about sterotypes.

Also, with regard to Duke, they are academically very strong with many girls majoring in technical and difficult fields like engineering, etc. I doubt if many have the time, much less the inclination, to be superficial. What I know about my engineering student-friends is that they work their tushes off just to get by.