We liked to look at initials. What person in their right mind names a child Amanda Sue Smith?

Actually, we know a couple that came within inches of naming their daughter Amanda Sarah S____ until the wife realized how future monogramming would look.

(They chose Sarah Amanda.)

I'm an international student, and I literally don't know a single sorority alumni, nor do I have a local panhellenic organization. Without letters of rec/ coming from a high school no one has heard of/ not having any sorority connections, do I honestly have any chance at getting into a sorority? I want to try rush, but if its 100% sure that I'll be cut from every chapter on the first day, would I be wasting my time/money?

Yes, I'm going to UT at Austin. So should I not even bother registering for recruitment?

So what you're saying is - you're coming from another country to go to UT? Are you arriving in the country before school actually starts or will you basically be getting off the plane and walking into your first class?

I would contact the Austin Alumnae Panhellenic and see if they can assist you.

I would also retire that "sororities are a joke where I come from" line.

There are lots of things that you pay money for that may not end up how you want them to. That doesn't mean the money was wasted.

I saw girls with towns in Great Britain on pledge lists from chapters just this past year at UT. Granted, they may be Americans living abroad but it does happen. I saw a couple from Canada as well. There are usually a number of girls from other countries going through recruitment at UT. They have as good a chance as a girl from Medicine Mound, Tx who would be hard pressed to find a reference. Don't let it stop you from giving it a shot. Will you get major cuts after 1st round, probably, but will you have the opportunity to win other groups over, hopefully you will. Trust me, if they fall in love with you, they will find you a reference. Also, think of the opportunity to meet new people at such a large university right off, especially coming from so far away.

Good Luck.

But if some groups have to cut 60% (capricious and arbitrary figure) of the rushees after the first round, and one of the easiest ways to do that is to can girls without recs, how will they have time to fall in love with her?

Either everyone should have recs going in or they don't need them. I don't think she'll get a "pass" because she's an international student.

I'm with 33girl..contact the Austin Alumnae Panhellenic office and see if they can help you. If you really want to go through recruitment and be sucessful, I would at least try to get some recs. Like 33girl said, most of the houses are having to release great girls with stellar grades and resumes. If they don't have a rec for you, then that just gives them a good reason not to invite you back. Good luck!

bump!

If anyone knows any PNMs from UT, make sure their facebook accounts stay clean over the summer. Facebook has become a very prominent tool in recruitment for each chapter. The PMNs may think it gives them a bird's eye view into the workings of a sorority, but the truth is, it is a window into the PNM's world and sometimes that view can damage their recruitment before it even starts.

Also, have your PNMs stay off that "other" greek ranking website. The hatred and bile that is spilled over there has NO bearing to the actually workings of UT's UPC groups. I find it embarrassing beyond measure. The individual websites of each house is a much better look into each house. All you have to do is google ABC @ UT and most houses have a website and if they don't they are missing a key resource for their PNMs. Also a point of reminder...there are a multitude of strong houses at UT. Do not let your PNMs attach themselves to any one particular house. That will spell disaster at a school where legacies can out number a pledge class.

Good luck to all the ladies and yes, their moms, during this very stressful, yet rewarding week of recruitment! Only three more weeks....

Great post as usual Pineapple! Do you know how many PNM's are signed up this year?

As of the first deadline of July 31 (that is when the $85 fee goes to $95), they had over 800 PNMs registered. The hard deadline is two weeks away and you will see that number escalate. With the housing issues at UT this year, it could be why there is delay in registration (although I was told hundreds registered the last two weeks last year) so who knows where the numbers will land. Freshman enrollment is up 8.5%

In answer to my own question..they have already had over 1000 sign up. There were close to 1100 last year, so Im thinking there will be 1200-1300 this year. The chapters have already added parties in anticipation of the numbers!

It has been projected at that range. It will be a very, very long week for all the houses on campus yet I suspect this will be the new normal.