I disagree. Yes, some houses will, but is that where you want to be? In a house that will cut you because of your class standing? When it takes so many of us 4 1/2-5 years to finish undergrad what difference does it make? I personally would rather have a member give her all for 2 years than someone pledge as a freshman, not be ready for the commitment, and burn out by the time junior year rolls around.

I realize Rush is competitive. I myself went to a school where juniors had few options. But I STILL believe that when you click with a house and it is mutual, it will not matter.

BUCutie, continue to cultivate your new sorority friends. Continue to make them aware of your desire to be a part of the Greek system. Get your grades up and rush in the fall. Do not deny yourself something you want because of your class standing. If you don't try, you will never know and I think in the long run, that is harder to live with.

Good Luck!

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"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." - Eleanor Roosevelt

[This message has been edited by amycat412 (edited March 06, 2001).]

bucutie,
I said it once and will say it again to make you feel a little better, I hope. The chapters at U of H are not highly selective. The Greek system is small and many of them are not at total. There is no reason for someone younger to be chosen over you if there is room for both of you. If you are released, it may be due to grades, like coffee said, or, of course, you may just not click with a few houses! Don't worry too much. Again like coffee said, let the personality shine and I don't think those chapters will turn you down!

SuperXO, i am sorry but that was highly offensive to me- and im not even in a sorority. I understand that you werent trying to bash the sororities, but it came across that way to me. You made it seem like just "anyone" can get in to a sorority here. Let me tell you that that isnt the case! It may not be a big as it is in other schools, but i think every chapter is selective to a certain extent. You may have visted the campus once or a few times, but there is no possible way you can tell how "selective" they are by just a few visits.

Your post didnt really make me feel any better about it because now you made it seem like its not very hard to get a bid if you have the grades. So lets say i go through rush and not get a bid, that really wont make me feel too good. Then, if i were to get a bid then you kind of make it seem like its not that big of a deal since they arent very selective.

Now before you reply saying that that wasnt what you were trying to say- let me just say that i know you werent trying to sound rude or anything- but it came off like that- well to me anyway! Like i said, i think every chapter is selective up to a certain extent. I know some schools are more than others, but every girl that does receive a bid receives one for a reason!

I don't think "selective" was the right choice of a word. Perhaps "exclusive" would be better. That the sororities are not so exclusive that they'd let something like being a junior stop them from pledging a fabulous new member. And THAT is a good thing! Be happy that its not a competitive Rush like at some other schools (if this is the case) I think these more informal fromal rushes allow new members and sisters alike to make better decisions.

bucutie02,

I hate to answer for someone else because I could be wrong and I am sure that SuperXO can express her sentiments better than I can.

Disclaimer aside, I believe the operational concept here is groups not at total and selctivitiy.

If groups are not at total they don't have the need to arbitraily cut people for whatever reason.

For example I know a girl at one school that didn't get a bid from her sorority of choice, many of whom were her friends, even though she suicided. The reason in this case was the way they did the bid mathcing.

Because the list was presented in alphabetical order, they had picked their limit before they got to her name! Because they did it in a linear fashion and didn't randomly asign numbers.

So I don'y believe that superXO belives that anyone can get in, but you may have a fairerchance because groups don't have to find a silly reason to drop you.

amycat412 and James,
Thanks for clearing that up- i guess i just took what she said the wrong way, and i am sorry for that. You guys helped me understand what she was really trying to say!! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

Thanks everyone, for bringing up different views on this topic. As we all know, it is all to easy to mistake someone's tone of voice or inflection in an email/ post. Anyhow, I won't make this long, but I agree with James and Amy that what I was trying to say IS that the groups will not release for ridiculous reasons and my knowledge of the campus and their recruitment statistics tells me that you have a great chance because the chapters (not exclusive/ selective/ whatever you want to call it) can and should base their decision solely on factors you can control (such as personality and grades) rather than those you cannot (like your age). That's why I was hoping you would feel more secure, because you know you are in control of these aspects and can have an impact on how they feel about you and effectively direct your recruitment experience. Best of luck.

Hi bucutie02,

I'm a Chi Omega at the University of Houston. I just came across this thread today and I wanted to tell you that you don't even need to worry about being a Junior and rushing in the fall. It's okay to do so, but you do need a 2.0 GPA to pledge (and rush I think). I'm the New Member Educator in my Sorority and I can not even begin to tell you how much fun being in a sorority is. Its definetely an experience you'll never regret. We have an AWESOME pledge class this spring '01 and even a junior in our new member class. She's a great member, and I'm sure you would be too. Chi Omega is the Largest Womens Fraternity in the the world. Don't listen to what others have to say, find out yourself about a house you're interested in. Feel free to contact us SarahChiO@aol.com (my pledge sister http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif)or even me Chiocutie99@aol.com. Good luck with Rush and School!

BUCutie,

I have to agreee with ChiOCutie and I'm sure SuperXO, HeidiHo and Hootie will all say the same thing...

My Chi O experience was unforgetable. I've met women who are incredible and because I've had the opportunity to meet them, my life is forever changed for the better.
And I believe THAT is why Fate/Providence/God/Luck -- whatever drew me to XO in college.

Oh, and in my pledge class we had a 24 year old sophomore. So I don't think your age/class standing is a big deal at all. Get your grades up, can you take some summer school classes to augment your GPA as well?

I hope that whatever house you choose to be a member of in the fall makes you feel as loved and accepted as Chi O has for all of us.

Amy



[This message has been edited by amycat412 (edited March 08, 2001).]

Chiocutie, it is so great to hear from someone that goes to UH!! Thank you so much for clearing up the whole junior status thing. I know others have said it shouldnt matter, but i also know that every school is different- so you in a way calmed my fear about that!! I have emailed Sarah, this past week actually and she did reply. She told me about the great pledge class you guys have this spring and also about where your sorority house is at. The funny thing is that i was actually around there monday afternoon and i received her email later on that day! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif Anyway, i dont live around there. Do you live on campus, apartment, or at home? I am sorry for asking you, but its just that i havent met anyone in a sorority that lives at home, although i do hear many girls do live with their parents.

Well i hope to hear from you soon! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif i was so excited when i saw that you went to UH!!

I would also like to thank everyone that has replied to my long post about rush- y'all have been so helpful and informative!!

[This message has been edited by bucutie02 (edited March 09, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by bucutie02 (edited March 09, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by bucutie02 (edited March 09, 2001).]

I joined my sorority in informal rush as a junior. Luckily I knew the sorority I wanted. For you, I would either attend informal rush for as many sororities as possible or attend the few that you know already and are interested in. It's difficult to choose, but it's also easier, in my opinion, to go through informal rush. That's where you get really intimate with the sisters and you are less pressured to compete to get in. I'm really glad I didn't go through the hassle of formal rush and I love the chapter I joined. I'm the new membership recruitment chair, so now I'm involved with every aspect of rush. I would try out informal rush and see how you like it. If you don't like it, then you can always not go through with it. Just see what's out there.

Michal34,
Well i didnt go through informal rush- but am now trying my hardest to do formal rush which is in early september. I was kind of worried about what picture i can put on my application, but the other day i checked to see if they have the 2001 application up on the web and to my surprise you dont need a picture on there. Well it has always been optional but now they dont even have a space for you to put one in so thats a relief. Pretty soon I will keep ya posted on my adventure!! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

Although it may be optional to turn in a picture with your application, it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to do so. The sororities will remember you more and will be able to put a name to a face. With a lot of rushees going through you will want to have them remember who you are http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif. I wish you the best of luck getting into a house that you will love!

hey chiocutie-
this fall coming up the picture thing isnt even really optional. There is no place on the application for one and i emailed the one in charge of rush and she said they arent doing it anymore. Josey Evans used to be in charge, but now its someone else.

I feel you ma. it's mad hard to decide when to pledge. right now i'm a freshman at long island university brooklyn campus and i want nto pledge zeta phi beta, but finding out information has been extremely hard for me.

I feel you ma. it's mad hard to decide when to pledge. right now i'm a freshman at long island university brooklyn campus and i want nto pledge zeta phi beta, but finding out information has been extremely hard for me.

Hey bucutie,
I was a junior pledge to Chi Omega this year, and I think that waiting has made my experience so much better. Spending two years as a GDI gave me a better sense of who my friends were, rather than having friends that only spoke to me because I was in their sorority. Also waiting gave me a lot more respect for Chi Omega as an organization. In fact, I was named the model initiate this year and I am the director of alumni relations and chapter correspondence. I think that you will find that being in a sorority gives you the opportunity to find yourself as a leader and as a person. Some of the other girls that posted were right though. You're main priority in college should be school. If you are not even pulling a 2.0 gpa, I am not sure that you are ready for the commitment that being in a sorority requires and it should be something that you think about carefully. Scholarship is a point of pride for every Greek organization.

RedHotChiO

Hi there, i just started reading this (and i am at work!) but i was hooked to see what happened, and then nothing happened. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif But i wanted to tell you that some of my best friends in my chapter and my pledge class were juniors. I do believe my class had 4 juniors, and the one after mine had 3! So I think that you should still go for it, because i joined as a sophmore, and i am so happy i did.
Joining later i think gives you an edge, your more mature, and since you have associated with so many girls already, you will be a familier face.
I wish you luck in whatever you end up doing!

steph
Phi Mu
Zeta Nu Chapter


"I’d rather regret the things that I have done than the things that I have not
done."
-Lucille Ball
http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif

I rushed as a junior, and had no problem receiving bids! I agree that you should go for it! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

I jut wanted to wish you good luck with your fall rush & say that i agree with everyone you should not have a problem with being a junior. I rushed this past fall & I had a senior & a couple of juniors in my pledge class. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif

------------------
Bekki
DELTA SIGMA TAU

Hey---bucutie
I go to school at UH and I just read your post...You really should rush this fall...if you have any questions just post and I will get back to you....

Hey bucutie02,

I didn't rush till the very end of my sophomore year (well, I actually went through rush three times, but whatever), and honestly, I'm glad I waited. I go to a school that sounds similar to yours, a lot of commuters and not a very big greek life community (there's only 5 sororities total on my campus), so I knew a lot about reputations of different chapters, but unfortunately that didn't necessarily mean I got to know what everyone's really like. I did go through part of formal rush though early on in my sophomore year, so I had a pretty good idea of the chapters I wanted to become involved in and rush late in the spring.

Then, at the beginning of my spring semester, one of my friends invited me over to the AXO house for dinner (I think I was complaining about the lack of food in my room since I was off the meal plan), and while I had a bad impression of the chapter during formal rush, I ended up rushing and got a bid at the end of that year (they could only give out 2 the first time I went through informal and while I was upset that I didn't get one, what are you gonna do...they went to two of the sisters' roommates who had been over a lot throughout the year).

So there's my little rant. I am SO glad I waited till that point to join though, my only regret is that I didn't join sooner, but I have a feeling that I would've ended up elsewhere if I had jumped into things too quickly. I think many chapters would be glad to have a junior, honestly. After two years in college, I feel you have a better idea of who you are as an individual, so you'll be better able to tell which chapter is the best match for you. Plus, from my experience, a lot of younger students go through rush trying to find a chapter that they want to become like and end up getting a lot more influenced by their sisters, whereas you'll be finding which sisters are most like you, if that makes any sense (I didn't get much sleep last night, so I apologize if I've been rambling on). And you've been through college without being affiliated with a chapter, so you know the benefits of going through rush and joining a sorority, so I think you'd be a very dedicated addition to any chapter. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

As for me, we got initiated last December and in January I was elected to our exec board as communications chair, and then at the end of the semester, I got elected as Vice President of Chapter Relations and Standards (which is basically the first vice prez.), so joining as a junior definitely didn't negatively impact my involvement in the chapter. Just keep an open mind and follow your heart, and I'm sure you'll have a great time at rush! If you ever want to talk, you can always e-mail me!

Best of Luck,

Liz

------------------

Alpha Chi Omega - Why reach for the top when you're already there?

I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer, this has so become a soap opera I need to keep my eye on!!! Please post when you get your bid! Dont leave us hanging!! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

For all of the greeks on here, have a wonderful recruitment this coming semester and continue to have a great summer!!!

(Oh and to Kirsten- Hows your summer goin?! Email me! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif Miss you! LITP )

<3 Ali
Phi Sigma Sigma - Gamma Gamma
Tau Beta Sigma - Delta Omicron

hey everyone! i am sorry that i havent kept you guys posted. Its been partly because i have had computer problems, and i am also taking summer school, and working, and trying to have some kind of social life! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif Anyways- i did pull my grades up, but they arent as high as i would like them to be. I really needed to get a reality check and i have decided that i cant possibly join a sorority when my grades which are the most important thing arent where i want them to be. Hopefully by the end of the fall semester they will be even better. Although in the spring we have informal rush and i really wanted to go through formal. I dont know if i will rush in the spring since i wanted to visit each house like you do in the fall.

I guess i could try and visit each house during the spring, somehow.

Thank you all for your support- and i am sorry to dissapoint everyone! I really really want to be in a sorority but its just not the right time. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/frown.gif

Hey-Something to consider on the grade thing--my grades IMPROVED when I joined Chi O because the house had a program for studying for the pledges and actives and really focused on getting and keeping your grades up. If you want to be a member of a sorority, my advice would be to go for it. The sisters you gain will be invaluable in supporting you in getting good grades.

Amy took the words out of my mouth. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif
Don't let your doubts scare you out of rushing, & make sure don't make excuses only to keep from potentialy being hurt. I know you have awsome grades, so it doesn't seem like a "real" reason to me. Do what's best for you, and if your grades really are lower than what you'd want, take your time & focus on that. I just find it hard to believe that your GPA isn't sky high already. You don't have to be honest with GC, but be honest with yourself. We already know you'll do great. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif Keep us posted.
Heidi

It seems as though I joined this thread too late. I just sat here and read through the entire thing! It's so interesting! Although my sorority isn't at UH I'm still pulling for you! Yes, please keep us posted how things go in the fall.

I think it's great that you'll be rushing as a junior! I wish you the best of luck!

Erin
Pi Beta Phi
Indiana Gamma

It seems as though I joined this thread too late. I just sat here and read through the entire thing! It's so interesting! I think it's great that you'll be rushing as a junior! Well, I just wanted to say that I'm pulling for you! Yes, please keep us posted how things go in the fall. I wish you the best of luck!

Erin
Pi Beta Phi
Indiana Gamma

[This message has been edited by erniegurl00 (edited June 30, 2001).]

It's been awhile since you posted, but here's an answer. If you want to rush at UH, go to www.uh.edu/greek/national/HCPA
That has info and you can look at the sororities. Do not be afraid to rush just because of what year you are. UH is not very cut-throat.

Hope this helps.

dzsaigirl

bucutie02,
I can't believe I accidentally stumbled on to this thread! Several other people from U of H found it, too. Listen, it is not too late to join! Its not so hard core at UH...you have a huge opportunity and you oughta take it. I pledged my fraternity at Tech and have friends from schools all over the state. Trust me, you have a big opportunity here and you don't wanna miss it. You can still keep your grades up, too. UH is a great place to get involved in student government, too.