This drives me nuts! Did you ask all your teachers,school counselors, principals (you know, they all went to college)? All your adult neighbors? Everyone at church? Your parents' friends, co-workers, boss? Your coaches? Your employers? Your friends' parents? It's possible that you don't know anyone who was Greek, but it's not probable.

That was probably my error -- she may have said that since I used "require" in my earlier post. Sorry!

It is possible that with only 5 chapters on her campus, she might not find women in those 5 chapters. In our area, if you needed a rec for DPhiE, AEPhi, SDT, Gamma Phi, Phi Sig, or AST you would have a hard time finding one. There are not many alumnae in the area from those chapters. I helped a friend search high and low for an AEPhi rec and we just couldn't locate one.

This is my point - there are places where recruitment simply isn't "researched." Even now that my campus does formal recruitment, there is information about what to wear, the rounds, but that's about it. And all of this info is given to the PNMs when they show up to the first night of recruitment. I'd wager that about 90% of the students that are part of Greek life on my campus never saw themselves joining a fraternity or sorority before arriving at school. They don't plan months in advance.

It's just not the same everywhere.

We don't know the OP's campus, and therefore, we can't really judge her based on what she's saying regarding recs.

She just said they didn't know anyone...not anyone in those 5 groups. I was addressing that point.

Don't split hairs. There really are schools where they aren't required, so your statement just serves to throw fear into the argument. It's obviously not one of the super competitive schools so arguing with her about whether she does or does not know any Greek women is just argumentative.

OP, you probably do know women who are Greek, you just don't realize it. But I think as opposed to worrying about that, getting to know the Greek women on your campus and being involved, getting good grades (all that stuff that has already been mentioned) is a much better use of your energy.

That's basically what it's like at my school, many of the sisters I met during recruitment said that they didn't come to college expecting to join a sorority.

Also, my parents moved to the US from a different country, so none of their friends that live here have been part of Greek life. While it is possible maybe some of my neighbors/teachers may have been, I live in the North east..so I don't think it's as common as it may be to know alumnae in southern states with more of a Greek influence.

At the chapter where I advise, I've yet to see a single rec come through. As a collegian I don't recall ever hearing about one or seeing one. These campuses do exist. I'd say that about 15-25%, depending on the year, of the women who are placed are international students who likely hadn't heard of greek life before.
In contrast to IndianaSigKap's post - I'd have an easy time in my area finding an AST, TPA, AEPhi, SDT, Gamma Phi, Phi Sig rec.... but I have a student currently searching, and AOPi, Phi Mu, ZTA, ADPi, Theta, PiPhi have been seemingly impossible to come across thus far.

Concise advice on how to obtain recommendations:
http://www.uapanhellenic.com/index.p...d=15&Itemid=32
(The advice comes from the Unversity of Alabama but applies to any school.)

There are definitely AOIIs in the Boston area.

I didn't go thru your whole list but AOPi's and Phi Mu's national web sites both list alumnae chapters in Boston with a link. Would imagine most of the others do also.

Thanks for the insight. I feel bad for hijacking the OPs thread (as I think the OP sounds like she's come to her senses and I would like to wish her well in her next rush attempt!)

Thanks to everyone who has offered suggestions to me here as well as through PM. I truly appreciate the advice :)

That's what we're here for! It's what sisters for each other - and we are all sisters in a more global way.