gee ess...the Greek Life office at my particular school said repeatedly "I know you will hear differently, but you only need one rec for each house on campus...the houses are overwhelmed with recs and more than one won't help you". They went on to suggest that we compile an stamped evelope that included a resume, transcript and picture. We were instructed to send that to the person that would be writing the rec for us. The person would use the info to write the rec and then place the rec & RIF in the envelope addressed to the specific GLO on campus and mail. That's it. I get it.

However, sure enough, I have heard from many people from this campus that the above process is not enough...."sucessfull pnms send in several additional recs/letters of support for each house". This is what is confusing me.

I believe I will have a rec for all of the GLOs on campus in the near future...I'm trying. Some will be stronger than others (personal vs asking an alum chapter). But I'll keep trying.

I'm just trying to play by the rules. I'm just having a bit of difficulty finding the "offical rule book".

There is lies the the problem, there is no "official rule book" that covers Rec policies for all GLO's. On top of that even the policies within a GLO can vary from chapter to chapter.

My standard rule of thumb I suggest for SEC PNMs is 1 Rec per chapter is good (minimum), 2 is better, any more than 3 is starting to be overkill. But there is also the different "quality" of Recs taken into consideration. 50 Recs from alumnae who have never met a PNM will not outweigh 1 well written Rec from someone who knows the PNM very well. All that does is get the PNM the nickname of "Rec Girl". :D *Flash back to a thread from years ago where someone talked about that.*

Don't get too hung up on the recs, girls. Check the box for each GLO with a RIF (which in my sorority stands for Recruitment Introduction Form). if you can get personal letters of support, great, but don't freak out if you don't have them. It's much more important to go in to rush relaxed and confident. Personality will trump recs every time (as long as you have met the minimum). If the members fall in love with you, they'll bid you over the tongue-tied girl with an over-full rec file!

Not worrying about recs is bad advice for pnms at some schools. At SEC schools,(and many others) recs are very,very important.

Thank you gee ess. I have been pondering whether to reply to the OP. I just want Texas PNM's to understand that every alumnae panhellenic is different. While attending a luncheon and turning in their information to some slumnae panhellenics assures you of a reference, for some it does not. I can only speak personally of the Dallas Pahellenic, where " signing up with panhellenic" does not assure you of a reference. It is made very clear in their information session and the booklet they publish to the pnm but every year we have young ladies surprised by the process.
I can only speak for my group, but rarely if ever are "panhellenic files" used for references.

Part of me wishes the tradition will change but until then, it is what it is.

This is potentially very damaging advice.

For some schools, it's like telling someone who is wanting to go to another country not to worry about bringing their passport!!! Seriously, at some schools, there are so many girls coming through the doors, that not having a rec becomes an easy way to release girls.

tippiechick...thank you for painting a very clear picture of the importance of recs!

In drgnlady's defense. I read something totally different in her message. I don't think she said recs were not important, I think she is saying a reference for each chapter is enough (the minimum) that overdoing references was not necessary. That said, at UT, it is generally the rule, one reference and two letters of support for many but not all chapters is necessary to be invited back to 2nd round but also this is no guarantee either. Remember too, Panhellenic has a lot to say as to how many you can invite back to 2nd round so after grades, this is the easiest way to cut down the list.

If you would go back and read my actual advice, I told the PNM to make sure to have a RIF and get letters of support, if possible. My advice stands. Do not go in to rush worried that every other PNM has more recs than you. Being yourself, relaxed and confident is the single most important thing. My daughter recently rushed at a competitive SEC school (as an out-of-stater) with only a single RIF for some chapters and had a highly successful rush. I stand by my advice.

Thanks for reading correctly.:):)

This was the line that I was concerned about. I agree that your advice to relax, have a good time, make sure you are putting forth your best, etc is going to be very important.
But, if the first advice given to young women seeking rec info is not to get too worked up over recs, then this is not correct in some instances. Here at GC, we try not to make broad sweeping generalizations that might not apply to everyone in every situation.
If the OP is hearing that the info on the college pan website is not what she is hearing in real life, then she should pay attention and try to "follow the unwritten rules" of that campus.
I think justinterested said it best by pointing out that not having the correct number of recs is often the easiest way to cut down the list.