Re: Info Session
 

I hope you don't think I'm a meany when I post this, but I'm trying to give you unbiased advice.

The quatrfoil? I HIGHLY doubt they knew you were coming. It was probably just a coincidence. It's not like you have an uncommon name like Venus or something. If you want to take it as a "sign" fine, but I would recommend you do not take it as the chapter definitely wanting you and pandering to you.

I would also caution against going into a party and saying that house was the ONLY one you visited and that you feel it's "your time". That could really put the ladies off. If I was in that house I might take it as you thinking you are "owed" a spot because you are a leagcy. Also, I don't agree with your sister's assesment that they wouldn't tell you so much if they didn't want to invite you. When we did info sessions we always gave all sorts of party info to women. It's part of being a polite and gracious hostess. Just like we were always nice to the women at the parties - even if we had no intention of bidding them.

And finally, if people are advising you that you have a chance as a sophomore, I personally would wait and go through fall formal recruitment to see all the different houses. UF has a huge greek system and there are tons of women to meet. I think only going to one table and one house for COR is selling your experience short - but that's just my opinion.

Good luck!

Whether they will be upset about you not accepting the bid really depends on the sorority and also how you go about recruitment.

My chapter has encountered that situation and most of the time we understood and didn't hold it against them as long as they were honest and polite. We did have a girl come to informal events and talk about how much she liked us and when we extended her a bid she declined it cause she wanted to go somewhere else. She didn't get a bid there and went through in the spring and spent all her time in our room talking about how awesome we were. Unfortunately sister's had gotten under the impression that she had played us (whether this is true i'm reserving judgement on) and she was eventually cut.

If you're not sure if you're going to accept be careful that you're not overly into the sorority just to secure yourself a bid. Remeber inside the sorority there could be girls that are incredibly excited about you and want you to be a sister. There is nothing more heartbreaking then the girl you would love as a new member telling you that she belongs in XYZ and she's meant to be there and then she doesn't accept a bid. It can leave a bad taste in your mouth

Just be interested and honest and yourself but dont lay it on too thick if you're not 100% sure. Remeber, and this goes to all PNMs Sorority Girls Talk!!

Go to the party and be yourself. Tell them your sister had such a great experience in her own chapter and has influenced your interest in Greek Life. It's ok to tell them you are a legacy to them. Tell them about you, your accomplishments, your interests. Ask them questions about themselves, their interests, their experience in XYZ. Ask questions about XYZ as an organization.

And it is ok to tell them too, "I'm having a great time here at XYZ and I have loved meeting everyone. You've all made me feel so comfortable."

What you don't want to do is come off as desperate or psycho (that's where the first date analogy comes in-- Remember the Egg Girl on The Bachelor? She freaked the guy out. It's ok to tell them you're interested, to "flirt," but don't send out birth announcements yet!)

It's ok to take a bid if you feel it is the right thing to do. Yes, you get to see every sorority at Fall Recruitment, but if you click with a chaper at COB, go with your gut!

christi86,

I've been on GC for nearly 6 years (May is my 6 year anniversary), so I have seen and read a lot in those 5+ years. I think that this thread itself is a big risk, because you have divulged far too much already. There are people from UF on this board and I am sure that they are reading this thread with interest. That being said, UF Formal Recruitment is EXTREMELY competitive and I am not sure that you would have an "equal" chance as a sophomore vs. being a freshman. From a financial perspective, it is in a chapter's best interest to have a dues-paying member for 4 years, not 3.

As for the girl who was not polite to you at that "Panhellenic" meeting: try not to let her tarnish your perception of her sorority. You never know what is going on in her life: she might have been dumped by a b/f, or learned that her parents are getting divorced or that her grandmother is ill. You can never tell and it's likely not personally directed at YOU.

In my experience, being discreet during rush is key and I think that to be too open about your situation, particularly on these boards can be a mistake.
Just my 2 cents.

I was thinking that the moment I read the first post. I know of at least two brilliant, involved, beautiful young women who rushed at UF as sophomores and were cut heavily. While there could possibly be houses who would happily bid sophomores, I sure wouldn't count on all of them treating you the same as a freshman.

Best of luck though! You need to make the right decision for YOU and for no one else.

Chocolate just called to invite me to their formal dinner and I accepted. I have to miss my first belly dancing class, but oh well, it's worth it!

Time to go pick out possible outfits!

good luck with chocolate!! have fun and please update us.

Best of luck with chocolate. Yum Chocolate :)

I agree, chocolate is amazing. Chocoholics unite!

Best of luck to you! I'm reading this with interest as I am a UF alumna.

Mmm... chocolate ;) Good luck and have fun @ Chocolate!

Chocolate was great. The girls were all super helpful and it was a very nice but laidback atmosphere. I got to experience a formal sorority dinner including some announcing and was shown the recruitment video and taken on a mini house tour. I was so nervous, I almost made myself sick during the day, but it all went away when I walked in the doors and people immediately talked to me and made me feel welcome.

Tons of things were explained to me and I was really happy with the whole experience. I'm going back tomorrow, probably for dinner and then we're all going to watch a movie at the house.

I can't wait to continue to get to know these girls!

OH, and if I accept a bid before next week, I can try out for their dance team! (I love dancing!)

New update tomorrow night!

I'm so excited for you! You said "if you accept a bid before next week..." Did they tell you when bids will be handed out?

Either way, good luck tomorrow night with Chocolate!

continued wishes for good luck with chocolate!!can't wait to hear an update .

The way the recruitment chair made it sound was like, whenever I felt ready to join, just to come talk to her and she'd take care of it. I don't know if they plan on handing them out as girls decide to pledge, or all at once.

I've figured out while I don't want to rush into it and tell her now that I want to pledge, I do love where I am now. I want that to just be the next possible step. I want pledging to come naturally, if that makes any sense. Like "I spend a good amount of time with these girls, I've made a lot of new friends. We've laughed and I've been taught what they can teach me about this sorority. Time to pledge!"

And it's so exciting!