I know SEC rush is like Marine training at Parris Island, but what the hell is it about UT rush that makes PNMs and moms fear that if they get dropped or—horrors, get stuck with a so-called lower-tier house—poor sad PNM will spend the rest of her days sporting pink sponge rollers and swilling PBR in her abode at the Royal Cedar Pines Manufactured Homes Community?

LOL - Royal Cedar Pines.

It's hard for me to say, "Just worry about your education" when I couldn't imagine my life without my sorority. There are over 2,000 4-year colleges in the US; there can't be just one that fits a particular student academically. Choosing a college involves academic programs, but also location, setting, size, campus culture, price/scholarships etc. I mean, if I was interested in going Greek, I wouldn't go to Bowdin. I can't imagine being Greek at an SEC school, but those schools wouldn't be a fit for me for other reasons.

Basically, what I am trying to say is that if Texas is a good fit for her in all other areas, AND she could be happy regardless of whether she joined a sorority, then there's no reason not to choose it. I guess it's hard for her to predict how she would feel if recruitment didn't work out like she planned. Even still, I can't recommend going to a less competitive school for the purpose of going Greek because there are no guarantees. Just know that life does go on and if she really does like Texas for the school and not just the Greek system, she'll be able to move on and find her niche.

Not as bad as they say
 

Rushing at the University of Texas is difficult, but if she is as wonderful as you knows she is she should have no problem finding where she fits in most. UT offers a 100% placement rate, so she will be placed! The University of Texas is the best school! (: she must come! If you want to insure she is placed join your local Panhellenic council to receive recommendation letters and of course, ask your friends, and family to write all the sororities! "Dirty Rush" does play a big part because it is very competitive. She will most likely be contacted before formal recruitment to meet with a sorority, and for some, legacies are taken very seriously. Use it to your advantage! Rushing as a Sophomore is extremely harder because it counts as 2 people for our Chapters, so she would be better off rushing as a freshman! Make sure her Facebook page is clean, emphasis is put on classy. And of course, there are so many groups at the University of Texas, Greek life is only 8%... pretty sure. I love the University of Texas and of course my sorority! <3

Just to clarify for the OP, what she means is probably that if she ranks all her choices on preference night, she will be matched to one of them. It is an outright lie to say that 100% of the PNMs get a bid, or get the chapter they want.

Thanks guys for the thoughtful responses! Way to go 33girl on guessing where my screen name came from. Hey, I'm not a helicopter mom for nothing. I'm still not sure what to do. As many pointed out, it's really not my decision. My daughter will have to make up her own mind. I will say this though. I do believe that sorority life is just almost important as a college education. I learned very much from pledging and becoming an active. I learned how to get along with others, how to budget my time, how to make connections. All of these skills have helped me in my professional life, almost as much as my education. And as for all of those who tried to downplay the importance of Greek life, who are we trying to fool? Obviously Greek life is very, very important to us. Why else would we be frequenting a site that is dedicated strictly to Greek life so many years after we were actives?

I'm not going to disagree with the importance of the skills you listed, but they can be acquired elsewhwhere. Greek life does not have a monopoly on these.

How about these skills to teach your daughter? Don't not try something because it might be difficult. You're thinking about discouraging your daughter from going to an excellent school because Recruitment is very competitive. If she has a less than ideal experience, then dealing with disappointment in a mature way is also a valuable life skill that a young adult needs to learn.

Here's my utterly useless 2 cents. Your concern about a good match is a good reason to check out other schools. I went to the biggest school I could and I think that was right for me, but there are some really great schools that are a fraction of the size of UT that also provide an excellent education and would have a bit less stressful Greek recruitment experience.

In the end your daughter could end up choosing UT and that's great, but maybe she should get a list of 5 or 10 schools to consider, make campus visits to a couple and then see what she thinks.

Sound advice for all kids graduting!

^^^Oh please! (sock puppet)

I can for sure say they don't offer a 100% replacement rate. I rushed and was dropped so that very false. And to be honest UT rush is very difficult even for legacies. I know plenty that did not get into the houses they were legacies for even with amazing recs/grades/and dirty rushing!

But I found my place in the spirit community and I LOVE IT!!! It is pretty much the same as a sorority and I LOVE LOVE it!! UT has so many options for getting involved and greek life really is tiny aspect of college.

Did she decide to come to UT???

100% placement does not mean no one will be dropped during the week. What it does mean is that anyone who is still participating at pref, maximizies their options (attends all prefs for which they are eligible) and signs a bid card (with no suicide) will be placed.