Too many things working against me?
 

Hi!

As the title of my post says, I feel like all the odds are against me for getting a bid at my university. Such as, I go to a southern school who is big on greek life, I am a transfer student (so I'm a junior), I am rushing Spring because I didn't know about fall rush...what are the odds that I will get a bid!? I have read so many posts about rushing as a junior, but none of these address the fact that I will be rushing in the spring, and my University is huge on greek life. So if I could get any opinions that would be great! Know that I am still rushing despite everything that is working against me. I have some friends who are taking me to dinner at their houses, so ...maybe that will help? I want nothing more than to be a part of this great community of women! Thank you in advance!!

Well, you'll probably get the same answer that everyone else gets. It all depends on your school. Some of them have a recruitment setup that allows chapters to take upperclass women for "free" meaning they don't count toward Quota. Even then it might be difficult. I would have to believe that if you are going to meet the members at their houses in advance, it would be helpful.

Good luck to you!

Its hard for any of us to give you what your odds are. We don't know you and we don't know the university you go to or the campus culture.

You say "big on greek life", is it a large greek population, do you know if recruitment is competitive? Have you tried to get information what the make-up of the average pledge class is made of? Do you know of any Junior who rushed during formal recruitment and were placed? Are you a transfer Junior by credits, but will be there for just one more year or longer? These are all things that you should look at.

I am of the mindset that if greek life is something you are interested in, there is no harm in going through the process. If you end up getting cut, its not the end of the world, but at least you can say you tried.

I didn't think I was allowed to say my school ... I mean it's fairly competitive. I will have a year and a half to spend in my sorority. If/when I get into grad school here that will be 2 more years. I know we don't have the upperclassman free quota thing...so that works against me. The sororities that are doing Spring rush are great girls, and I know some of them. I guess I just need to make connections :). Any more advice would be appreciated!

Talk to your friends who are in sororities to find out what their spring rush is usually like. If you're at a southern school that's big on Greek life, I'd say your chances will be tough, but like other posters said, they may have "free" upperclassmen. Your friends in sororities will be your best asset to gain knowledge of the Greek system on your campus. And I'd definitely try to meet a lot of the sisters prior to rush. The more girls you have pulling for you, the better chance you have of getting a bid. Good luck!

Most NPC sororities will not allow you to be an active collegiate member after you've received your undergraduate degree. So you having those extra 2 years probably won't even matter.

And is there formal recruitment in the spring? Or is it COB?

those were my questions exactly. does your school hold formal recruitment in the fall or the spring? either way, since you missed fall recruitment, just go for it. if you don't try, you will never know.

it is completely informal in the spring! :)

^^ While it won't guarantee you a bid, the sisters inviting you to events now is definitely a good sign. Since your school has competitive formal recruitment in the fall, and you'll be a senior next year, this spring will be your best shot at joining.

Thanks so much for the advice! Hopefully it works out, I'm going to try my best!

Unless you're dirtier than sin and show it at said dinner.

Haha...I like to think I'm not "dirtier than sin" lol :)
I know two of my friends but in recommendations for me. I found this out yesterday.
I'm still worried, but not as worried :)
If I don't get a bid AND I have people working for me, it just wasn't meant to be and I have to accept that. But all I have wanted is to join a sisterhood...girls that really care about one another. Not girls that are just waiting to stab you in the back later. I want to find my bridesmaids! haha

what are the dinners for? are those some of the events held by each chapter during informal?

Just regular dinners :)
I have friends that really want me in their chapters, so...they invited me to dinner to meet other girls. I guess to make connections. It's not an event, just dinner :D

Do you know how many/which chapters will be participating in informal recruitment, if any? Friends in chapters inviting you to dinner means little if they aren't able to take any new members in the spring.

By "competitive" and "southern", do you mean SEC or Big XII South?

You'll have an uphill battle, and you may not get a bid merely because of your class standing. I'm glad you are aware and able to accept that possibility. Best of luck to you.

SEC. Yes the chapter that I am going to for dinner is doing Spring Rush. And another friend wants to do the same with her chapter who is participating in Spring Rush, however, I don't know if I should go to both. I don't know for sure how many are participating, but the ones I have connections to are. They haven't formally announced who will be participating yet.

Thanks for the advice!! I didn't know if that was like...bad you know...like I'm shopping around or something. I didn't want to be disrespectful

No, they will expect this. Keep in mind that they could have 50 potentials going for five spots - you need to keep your options open so that you can maximize your chances to get a bid.

This is very true, especially for an SEC school. The participating sororities will likely have more women participating than they can extend bids to.

eek!
Gosh, I hope that I can get a bid. This is kinda sad :(
I wish my University did that "upperclassmen doesn't count in the quota" thing that other schools do.
I guess all I can do is be myself and hopefully that will be enough...
So here is my next question (thank you all by the way for responding!!)
What should I wear to dinner ???

Dark wash jeans and a cute top - no cleavage, bare arms or back.

I am not sure on the protocol with houses (we didn't have them), but is it appropriate to bring maybe a dessert, like homemade cookies? I am going on the idea that it's always nice to bring something when invited to dinner. Thoughts?

Hmm. That's an interesting idea. Firstly, is the dinner AT the house or is it on campus? Sometimes we'll do on campus dinners so it's easy for potentials to make it.

If it IS at the house, I can't think it would make you stand out negatively to bring something. If a potential brought something, especially homemade (like cookies or brownies or something) I would definitely remember that person in a positive light...and actually REMEMBER them!

It is most def. at the house! Bringing something is an excellent idea! I never even thought of that! I will bring brownies with sprinkles in them, who can turn that down!? Its colder here now at night, so I will be wearing long sleeves anyway :)
Thank you so much for the advice!

Sounds like a good plan!

For dress, just remember two words:

CLASSY

and

CONSERVATIVE.

You can't go wrong.

If you know the women who invited you to dinner, you might ask them if there's a dress code. I know that some houses have special codes for various days.

She said that jeans and a cute top is fine. I am not going on a chapter night, so its casual :) .. I am so excited and nervous at the same timee...I hope they like me. I know it sound pathetic but I really want this to be successful in helping me get a bid with girls that I already like and know (atleast the ones that I do know...)...BUT i am still open to other sororities as well :)

Make sure that if you wear jeans, they are dark wash and don't show any belly or crack. Conservative is always your best bet. Good luck!