[hijack] I always call the one next to Chi O the "Phyrst" dorm, after the bar that used to be there before they built the dorm.

I think they just have more students than they can possibly house on campus!

Just now seeing this thread and popping in.

Disclaimer: I was not Greek at Texas. But having been involved on the UT campus and with my Austin alum club, I know a decent amount about Texas sorority stuff.

First off, just want to second that on the UT campus there are many options for sisterhood. First off, don't underestimate your chances at getting into a house. Yes, cracking into the "top 3" houses or whatever would be extremely difficult. But who really cares about that? You could find a great sisterhood in any of the houses. As LadyLonghorn posted, if you are open to all the NPC houses and maximize your options throughout the process, you are guaranteed a spot (presuming you make it to preference night).

Secondly, also seconding everyone who posted about the many spirit organizations on campus. Many of these seem to be quite similar to sororities in many respects (although they lack houses). There are also a number of non-NPC sororities on campus. Some of them based on cultural or multicultural interests, some Christian-based, some professional based. You might be interested in researching those.

Finally, a brief comment on Hardin House and Scottish Rite. I want to clarify that you basically have to APPLY to those dormitories. It's not like everyone gets in. They are the traditional places that the well-heeled UT woman lives in. They have a huge tradition. Hardin House in particular, it's to your advantage if you're a legacy or whatever, and if you're from the "right" background, and all that. For the uninitiated, I'm going to be very clear about this, Hardin House is basically a "feeder" to "top" houses at UT. I have a friend who got into Hardin House because her HS friend was a multi-legacy to Hardin House and invited her to be a roommate. My friend has said point-blank to me that she probably would never have gotten a bid to her chapter if she hadn't lived there. Also, for Scottish Rite, I could be incorrect, but I believe you still must be sponsored by a Mason to live there.

Anyway, I just checked Hardin House's website, and they're full for the fall now anyway (dunno if they were at the time when the poster posted that suggestion).

Basically what I'm trying to say is that saying "Go live in Hardin House!" is not that great a suggestion because it's probably harder to get in there than it is to get into an NPC at UT. Getting in there is kind of akin to getting into a "top tier" sorority.

I just like to be straight up about things. I hope that doesn't step on any toes. I want to just clarify that I don't put much stock in being "top tier". I myself wasn't "top tier." But let's just be realistic and honest about what things like Hardin House represent. Not to demean Hardin House. My friend that lived there had a good experience with it. It is what it is, but let's at least say outright what it is.

The thing is, you can still get into a sorority if you don't live in Hardin House or Scottish Rite. Also, there are several other private dorms that are popular with freshmen going Greek. Those are just two that are most frequently mentioned for young women striving for "top tier" sororities.

And yes, UT does have its own dorms. It just can't house everyone, so there is a big private dorm market, as well as several "student ghettos" in outlying areas on UT shuttle routes. UT is making a strategic effort to build more dorms - the most recent addition being the new one across from Sigma Chi. There is also a TON of construction of private semi-highrise dorms, apartments, and co-ops in the West Campus area. I would recommend living on the UT Campus or the West Campus area if you are wanting to go Greek, definitely.

I don't know a whole lot about Dobie center, but from what I know, it's not necessarily where a lot of Greeks live. If anything it tends to be more international students... I like going to the movies in the shopping center there though. They show a lot of independent films. Also, fond memories of seeing Sex and the City there... and Hot Fuzz. aaaaaahhh...

This is totally OT, but as I take every opportunity to do so, I'll just say that I love Austin and after this weekend and now that the CA Supreme Court fouled up once again, it has leapfrogged SF as #1 on my "when I leave NYC" list...

To add to what breathesgelatin said, ALL of the houses are good at UT, not just 3 or 4 of them!

As for Hardin House and SRD - Yes, most of the girls who live in them plan on rushing, so you're surrounded by other pnms, possibly pnms who have contacts in the houses, which can help quite a bit; BUT, it is not necessary to live there to be considered for recruitment.

It used to be that Hardin was THE place to live, but that has waned a bit, and I know of girls who've given up their spots there (whose Moms put them on the waitlist in elementary school! :)) to live at SRD instead (maybe the proximity to the Fiji house? ;)) You do have to have a Mason sponsor you, but if you don't know one, they will find one for you, so no biggie...

Yes, as mentioned, there are many on campus dorms in addition to many private ones here (as well as private housing co-ops.) The ones you're looking at are the super nice ones though. Not all of the private dorms are as nice as HH and SRD, but they are definitely the sorority freshman housing of choice.

Come one, come all - Austin rocks!

How fun would it be to be the live in librarian at the Scottish Rite Dorm?

My thing is though, I really have reservations about living anywhere with the death penalty (where people actually die) and Texas is too hot.

I like the heat, but that is definitely not a popular opinion.

My great-aunt was a house mother in a women's dorm at UNC back in the day. It was when the position was far more of a "social planner" and "adult supervision" kind of thing. I believe there is portrait of her in one of the UNC dorms still.

To continue the off-topicness, I thought about you, VS, when there was that crazyass guy from Idaho on the Bachelorette this season.

OT - We have random Texans (and other states) here, so I think there is a crazyass exchange program. I stopped dating Idaho boys, remember that one I was seeing a few years ago who slept walk and if he had been drinking would sleep walk and peed in his closet, and ran down the street naked? College, GOOD TIMES. His parents bought him a ridiculous pick up that would pay most of my grad school tuition, gave him their house, bought him a new bird dog, and I think he plays golf and gambles professionally when he isn't doing hunting and fishing related stuff for fun.

I'm going to find a man and import him to Alaska with me and open my Goatel.

Okay, that guy sounds like a real winner (especially the peeing in the closet part - ewe! :rolleyes:

Speaking of the Bachelorette this season, doesn't it seem like there are an inordinate amount of Texans competing??? There's like 2 Dallas guys, a Houstonian, some guy from Spring, etc...

WHAT! They can't find a good gal here??:D