Actaully, "looks" do matter - but not the kind you are talking about. If you are the most beautiful girl going thru but don't stand up straight, can't look someone in the eye while talking with them, can't form a complete sentence and are sloppily dressed, you aren't going to make it. However, if you are more on the plain side but stand erect, look confident, talk sincerely with the women you meet and have a pleasant demeaner, you'll go very far!

Exactly as I was saying. Could you imagine us saying that looks don't really matter, as long as you're confident and look nice and you're friendly, and then the PNM shows up in ripped jeans, Crocs, and a dingy "Frankie Says Relax" t-shirt? I'd certainly be amused. :)

Nicely put.

The average chapter GPA at Arizona is close to a 3.1. GPA is a very big deal here. Coming in as a community college transfer, a 3.25 isn't very impressive especially since you'll be competing with lots of freshmen who have nearly perfect hs grades. I don't mean that in a nasty way, but it is what it is.

Yes, recruitment is superficial in many respects. IMHO it is impossible to get to know a complete stranger in only a couple of short parties but we do our best based on what we learn about people in the information they provide beforehand plus when we meet them. Many girls already know a lot of members, so that helps a lot. The only thing you can do is make sure you get recs, have an impressive application and resume, be yourself and make a good impression during the parties.

Oh, and don't do anything dumb beforehand. You don't want to be known as "that Russian chick who got so drunk at the fraternity party that she ____"

People are getting the idea that Greek members are superficial through an exploitation of stereotypes...just like the stereotype that all Russians drink vodka 24/7. I do not, for one minute believe that is true, but there it is.

Where did it start? Why? Who knows. Just like all stereotypes and prejudice, you must not let that influence your opinion. If your experience has been positive, then focus on being a person who spreads the truth and not the prejudice.

Also, IMO, anytime there is a competitiion for something (job interviews, club membership, invitation to join a society) those who did not get chosen tend to insult and belittle those who did. That is where I think a large part of this stereotype came from.

QFP, just because...

I am very familiar with the University of Arizona recruitment process (as are two other posters on GC). Grades are Very Important and there is a healthy competition for incoming PNMs with stellar GPAs. All the houses want to be first in scholarship. Yes, appearance is important. And there is a strong preference for freshmen, although it is not unheard of for sophomores and the occasional junior to receive bids. Typically those bids go to women who are already known by the chapters. The age discrepancy b/w this PNM and the typical PNMs is significant and may negatively impact her invitations, especially in the early rounds when heavy cuts are made, due to RFM.