At my school, freshman weren't allowed to Rush until Spring. I'll admit, when I went home for Xmas break, I was jealous of all my friends who had gotten to rush in the fall. But, I am glad that I had to wait to rush. It gave me a chance to meet girls in different sororities, and more importantly, gave me a semester to find my footing. College can be confusing when you first get there-for me, I was 800 miles from home-and it can take time to find your way around-literally and figuratively.

to answer your question
 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by pinkangel
[B]For those of you who have (successful) formal recruitment in the beginning of the spring semester, is greek life successful in general at your school?

My college always has a high turnout for January formal rush, and most chapters get quota each time. Greek life is very strong on my campus, though, with about 75% of women participating (it's a small school). I think we would have strong participation in recruitment no matter when it was held, due to the Greek-loving culture of the school. I think we actually get better numbers by postponing rush. I'm sure there are freshman women who enter college thinking sorority life isn't their thing, then after getting a chance to observe for a semester what it really entails, decide it doesn't look so bad after all.

If any of you wanted to know, my school has decided to defer rush. I must admit, I'm a little disappointed. I was just elected to be Membership Director and know I won't be able to organize a formal rush, only a full year of informal rush. But I'm being optimistic... at least I get to be creative with events all year long! All of the sororities (5) on campus voted in favor of it.

My school has deferred rush and more than 40% of the women here join sororities, and rush always has a huge turnout.

It's nice, I think, because they can get to know people and get used to the campus and college life and area first before joining. The system's more open, as in most people have as many friends outside of the Greek system as in. But we're also a small school with a very close-knit campus, especially for freshmen, so it's not like they need rush to meet people easily.