All four of them are "absolutely wonderful" sororities. So are the other 22 NPC sororities.

Are there tiers? Yes. Are some NPC sororities stronger than others in certain regions? Yes. Do some sororities have larger numbers of chapters and initiated sisters than others? Of course. What's important is for each PNM to see beyond the tiers and the stereotypes and to pursue the sorority/ies she feels a connection with. If that's a "top-tier" sorority with 500 chapters and a million sisters, so be it. If it's a smaller sorority with "only" 100 chapters and 100,000 sisters, so be it.

</soapbox>

So, where's the update already?? ;)

National reputations have nothing to do with campus reputations. A sorority that may be nationally or regionally "strong" may, in fact, have a weak chapter on a particular campus even where other chapters of that same sorority at nearby colleges are very strong.

But that is all besides the point. At the end of the day, you have to choose the CHAPTER, not the national or regional reputation. The chapter represents the choice you have to live with everday as an active COLLEGIATE member. And that choice should be based off where you feel you best fit in, not what organization has the most members nationally, locally or who the local chapter is paired with for Greek Week.

Dream*A*Dream is fully entitled to express her own opinions. So am I. And my opinion is that the poster's opinion is without merit. That's really great that you got invited back to a sorority that has 1 gazillion members in the universe. At the end of the day (or at the end of recruitment!), what's the local chapter got to offer you and do you like what they're offering? That's the only thing that should matter.

If I'd rushed with the intent to join the strongest national sorority, I would not have joined ADPi. We don't have the most chapters, the greatest presence, etc., overall, but on my campus 10 years ago, the Zeta Omega chapter of ADPi represented the best choice for me. I'm so glad I didn't join a "national reputation"-- I joined a group of women at my university.

I feel bad for anyone who joins a sorority solely based on its national scope, and I know the OP joined her sorority because it was full of great UCF women she could relate to.

PNM's: if you're reading this: join the chapter for its members.

Well, yeah!

Nobody is disagreeing with that, but we're just acknowledging that some of the other factors that GreekChat sometimes seems to feel that it's better to pretend don't exist are in fact real. It doesn't mean that they will play into where a PNM ends up at all.

And, although I think a lot of us got our backs up about Dream*a*Dreams post, I think her intention was simply to compliment Faith4Keeps results. She believes three of the four groups to be some of the most wonderful organizations out there, and it's a shame about Theta.

(I'm totally kidding. It's only because Theta is such an outstanding and well known group that I was even tempted to make a joke. The only problem with her post was that she did seem to slight one particular group so much.)

of course I didn't join my chapter solely for its national reputation, however, I do think it's something PNMs should think about. Maybe I'm just a special case because I joined a little bit older than average. Probably most PNMs don't think that far ahead. However, ff it's going to come down to two or three chapters that all have great girls and amazing programming, I'm going to pick the one that is stronger nationally. And here's why: I know that each sister of every NPC pledges for life. Of course, I can be a loyal TUV without an alumnae chapter where I live, but I'm interested in having sisters wherever I go. So when I'm off to grad school, I'd love for there to be a DG undergrad chapter that needs me and alumnae sisters I can turn to. And when I settle for good, I want there to be an alumnae chapter that I can raise my little legacies around. TUV may have been the same as DEF and DG as far as girls that I could fall in love with and sisterhood out the wazoo, but DG, to me, has an edge because I know they are at my top three grad school choices and have strong alumnae networks wherever I could want to live.
disclaimer: of course, I would never recommend that anyone choose a chapter she hates just because she knows about lots of alum groups. I mean, if you hated the undergrad experience, why would you want to be an active alum? But it could be a tie-breaker. It's certainly better than ranking a sorority based on how well you like their mascot or colors.

That's how I understood it as well.

I absolutely agree with this. I saw it happen at my school.

Update
 

FYI everyone- today I nearly broke my finger and it is so nearly impossible to type without some of my fingers :( My pointer finger on my favored hand is in a splint! So I'm sorry to keep the suspense but hopefully I'll update tomorrow...!!!

Sorry about your finger and everything, but COME ON -- don't you think you could learn to type with your toes!?!?

yeah! :)

Eeek! Sorry but.....can't you type with your nose ; ) Hope you finger feels better!

Is it wrong that in the same situation, if I really wanted to post because I knew people were eagerly awaiting the delightful unfolding and uplifting ending to well-written and involving recruitment story that would certainly cause women to renew their connections to their GLO all over the country with its narrative power like this one, and I had a sprained finger, I'd try to make my husband type it for me? I mean, would it be so wrong for you to find someone to do it?

Just kidding. I'm sorry about your finger.

I think my sister alphagamuga meant your finger, lol. ;)

My hubby types with one hand and drives me crazy! (That's why God gave you 2 sets of fingers!)

Yes, I did. Thank you. I fixed it. I have no concerns about the OP's figure.

I always read what I expect to see no matter what my fingers have typed. I usually have to see it quoted to see my goofiness.

ETA: I did it twice. how bizarre.

Faith4Keep,

I'm so sorry to hear about your fingers!!!!!!! Ice them, do something to make them feel better. I know it's probably really painful. Hey! Maybe you could call out of work today....:rolleyes:

Prefs!
 

...

Wow. Best cliff-hanger ever!!!

I can't wait to hear what happens! :)