She's not sure if she's returning to USC right now - which is not to say that she's unsure about rush!

Oh no! I wish her the best of luck in her decision!

I am trying to keep a stiff upper lip about USChica06!! I WILL say that, if ever, wherever she decides to rush, the house who gets her will have one of the best sisters ever!!

Less than 2 months to go.... Still waiting on my info from panhel. I'm getting more excited, and I love having an excuse to buy clothes!

woohoo!!! recruitment is a month and a half away!!!

I'm so super excited!!!! :D

update on my school's recruitment. it is aug 27 - aug 31. so far away!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't wait for rush!!! It's only ummm 59 days away! (now that I say that it seems soooo far away!!) But I do still have to get those recs and those cute rush outfits (YAY for shopping) so maybe its not THAT far away!!

Ditto what "Absolutuscchick" said I can't wait for rush! It's only 62 days away (I will be on the other side)!:D

1 month 2 weeks for us MTSU girls...
Time is going a lot quicker now that we've got our recruitment applications.

Hehheh. I thought I was the only overexcited person in the world! I've been trying to plan our recruitment like mad, but it's made difficult by several factors, one of which is I'm currently in Hongkong and international phone call inquiries probably aren't a good idea...

Eeeee!!!! This will be my first formal rush from the other side. ^_^ Good luck to everyone, and if someone does decide to start up a 'Rush Anxiety Support Group,' count me in!

I'd love to see a formal recruitment at one of the larger schools. Or, for that matter, ANY school that has more than 1 sorority. I think next year I'm going to take my recruitment chair and CP to visit a chapter that participates in an August recruitment, since we recruit in early Sept....

Thankfully GC is here to fill the void. I'm going to live vicariously through all of you, so POST THOSE STORIES :D :D

i'm actually starting to have second (or possibly third...) thoughts about going through recruitment. i went over to greek affairs yesterday to get a copy of 'greek tiger', the booklet they put out each year for PNMs. in it i saw a chart with financial information listed for each chapter - yikes! i knew it was going to be about this much, but seeing it is different. i mean, the prices for a new member's first semester appear to range from $1000-1400, and that's *without* meals. that's a huge commitment for me to make if i'm going to be paying for it on my own (as my parents aren't huge proponents for greekdom). if i have the money, i won't mind paying it - but i would feel so stupid if it came time to pay and i didn't have quite enough! i work and i'm trying to save, and hopefully that will work out. i think i am mostly bummed because one of my favorite chapters' dues (even though i really am keeping an open mind!) are on the highest end. *sigh*. money schmoney. it would just be unfortunate if i go through recruitment, which is going to take a lot out of me time-wise and emotionally, and then not be able to afford the place i love. i guess i better start working more?

Moxie, I hope that you still go through rush. It is a rewarding experience, and I would hate to see you regret not rushing down the road.

I do understand your hesitation though. My younger cousins have shown an interest in greek life, but have chosen not to rush due to $$$. It is just not worth the money to them.

Cost New Member Year
Average: $1,850.00
Range: $1,390.00 - $2,250.00

Cost In-House Member Year
Average: $5,050.00
Range: $4,529.00 - $5,665.00

I don't want to encourage them because I don't know how their parents feel about the money issue. I want to tell them all about how great it is and the lifetime benefits to being an Alpha Gam, but I am unsure if it is the right thing to do.

But I do hope that this works out for you, and that you don't change your mind. You have already established how much you want this. I hate to see anyone not follow their heart due to $$$.

Moxie -- I know how you feel, since I'm paying for my own sorority dues too (my parents only pay for my tuition; I cover the rest of my college expenses). It is a pretty expensive commitment. Regardless, I still think you should go through rush. It's a great experience even if you don't decide to join.

Another thing: my first semester sorority dues were almost twice as much as the second/third/beyond semester sorority dues, and I think that happens at many, many campuses. (At any rate, your first semester dues will be higher -- maybe not twice as much.) You have a lot of one-time expenses, like your badge, which you'll never have to pay for again.

If you have left over student loan money...use it. It will cover your dues, if your dues are part of your living arrangements.

Trust me, I know it's tough when you have to save all of your summer work. But think of it as an investment.