The other issue at USC right now is the housing shortage. Even with the new dorms open it is tough to get housing and the sororities are full. There are several chapters that have started telling women during rush that it is unlikely that their new members will get to live in before their junior year. The advantage to the housing crunch is that when someone moves out of the house and you need to fill a space it is easier to get them out of their university housing contract because the university wants to move more people in.

We have had instances where new members have moved in before initiation, but it is extremely rare.

Sorry, I can't seem to type today, if there are typos I haven't caught please pretent they aren't there.

LD

I think preparing your daughters for rush is for the best. I am not sure about conversation tips etc. But a long, long time ago... LOL. I went through rush at North Texas, which was highly competitive. I spent the whole summer memorizing the rush brochure, buying the perfect outfits, I was so excited. However, none of my family members were greek so I had no idea about reccomendations. I tried to find a panhellenic for my city, but there wasn't one listed in the phone book. So I assumed it must not be a big deal. (Yes, this was before the internet was widely accessable). I went through as a sophmore with no recs. :eek: I was cut really harshly the first day. I was asked back to some really great groups, but did not receive a bid from any of them. To UNT's credit all of their groups were strong at the time, and there were quite a few girls that didn't even make it to the pref parties. But at the time I didn't know why I was cut or why some girls just didn't get bids. I didn't understand quota, and had no idea that COB was an option. I know I don't want my daughter to be so dis-illusioned.

After I joined AGD I realized that some schools have so many new faces they have to cut the best way they can. And I was told during UNT rush that sophmores really had it hard that year. (I don't think there were any Juniors or Seniors)

Texas*Princess I remember seeing all the cars decorated outside of Maple Hall where all the sorority members resided at the time. It was a great show of panhellenic pride.

I plan to prepare my daughter (fifteen years from now!). Make sure she has recs, good photos, etc. And make sure that she knows that if she gets cut, sometimes it is really not personal. And to let her know no matter what, it works out for the best.

Because it really did work out for the best!!!

Greek Chat is a great tool for pnm's. I am so glad that, if the pnm is really dedicated, that the answers are out there.

As a PNM (wow - first time I've ever called myself that) I am so glad I have GC to prepare me. All us PNMs (especially those who began looking into rush absolutely clueless) love our GC actives and alums!

Some of my friends' moms got all of their recs for them and called around to network for them. My mom was supportive of me, but I did all of my own work for myself. That's just my personality though.

Actually, it sounds like Bess forgot one crucial element of preparation - MODESTY.

bumping this thread up because it has some AMAZING tips!!!