Arizona State University? All advice welcome!
 

Hi everyone!

I'm a high school senior and I'm about 90% sure that I'll be attending ASU this fall. It's a huge college with lots of opportunities, and as of late I've been exploring the possibility of joining a sorority there. I'm not very knowledgeable on the whole process (or Greek life/culture really), but this site in particular has opened my eyes to a potential great experience- there's so much wisdom here about the entire process!

I made this thread in hopes of learning more specifically about GL and the sorority recruitment process at ASU. Does anyone have any general advice for me if I decide to rush there? I have so many random questions- it is really competitive there? Will being out of state hurt my chances? Are recs/legacy important? What is their rushing process like? If I apply for general housing but get into a sorority, where do I live? I checked out the ASU greek page, but there really isn't a lot of concrete information on there, so I appreciate anything anyone knows about it.

If anyone goes/has gone to ASU, I would love, love, LOVE to talk to you as well!

Hoping for some input!

*goes back to lurking* :p

I went to ASU but didn't rush there. So here's my advice, based on my roommate's/friends' experiences.

It's pretty competitive. Being out of state won't really hurt your chances (almost 50% of my freshman class was out-of-state) but recs and legacies ARE important. ASU is a huge school and you won't have much time to get to know the women, so recommendations help them sort through the mob.

You would live in general housing as a freshman, and then you'd have the option of moving into Adelphi Commons as a sophomore. Many of the women I knew chose to live in apartments off-campus, but I think it varies by chapter.

Oh, and PLEASE go in with an open mind! ASU seemed particularly bad about buying in to unfounded stereotypes and writing off XYZ sorority before even meeting the members. I have heard terrible (untrue) things about every chapter at that school, but I've also met fantastic women in nearly every chapter. So be careful about what you hear.

Thanks sarahsmilehawk! :)

The "competitive" aspect scares me a bit, because that is soooo not my nature (in any aspect of life) and I've been known to shy away from competition. :o But nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?

I definitely don't bring the legacy aspect to the table, but I will be looking into local chapters for recs, if that is a possibility. Do you know if recs are REQUIRED for rushing there? I want to be open to all of the houses, but I'm not sure I could find a rec for each one!

Thanks for sharing the housing info. And I 100% agree about not believing everything you hear over the grapevine. I'm 1500+ miles away from ASU, and I STILL hear rumors about the frats there. :rolleyes:

Also- do they have fall or winter recruitment? I was confused when I saw on ASU's site that rush takes place in January, but read on one of the sorority's sites that it was in September...

ASU does formal NPC recruitment in the fall (usually around labor day I believe) and chapters under total will do informal in the spring. Also, I understand that Alpha Gamma Delta will be recolonizing their ASU chapter this spring. ASU web site says that spring 2009 informal will be in Feb. and that participating chapters will be announced after Jan. 26, 2009.

Recs are not required, but they're more important than the ASU web site lets on. You should try your best to find a rec for ever chapter on campus. If you can't get one for one or two chapters, don't sweat it. But definitely talk to everyone you can; you never know who might be an alum!

Also, some sororities (Alpha Delta Pi is one) allow active members to write recommendations as long as the PNM is not going through recruitment at the active's own chapter. Your friends at other universities may be able to write you recs if you can't find any alumnae.

Thanks for info, everyone!!

If I end up going for it, I'll be sure to post my story in the Recruitment Stories section. :D

Think of the "competitiveness" as more like a marathon than a basketball game. Stay with me for a second. In a basketball game, you're trying to do your best, yes, but you're also trying to get in the way of your opponents. In a marathon, your opponents matter very little. You train and prepare and show up and do your best. For 97% of marathon participants, winning isn't even a consideration. It's not about how you do compared to anyone else. It's about how you do compared to yourself, and getting your best time.

Recruitment's the same way. You do your preparation:

• keep your grades up and finish high school with a bang
• research the national organizations and visit local chapter websites
• network with alumnae and actives from other chapters (if applicable) and secure recs well ahead of time
• do some soul-searching and figure out what you're looking for in a sisterhood (hint - don't go for the house full of women who are like you want to be; find the house full of women who are like you really are)
• practice talking about yourself and what matters to you in a way that relates you to the organization
• come up with questions you want to ask your rushers about life in their sorority
• choose your outfits, jewelry, makeup and hairstyles, etc. in a way that will present your best outer self

Once you're done preparing, you show up and power through the actual marathon that is Recruitment, striving to ignore tent talk and stay positive and motiviated. You're tired. You might even be sweaty. The tent talk and the voices in your head are discouraging and try to undermine your confidence. You may not think you can do it. At times, your goal is simply to finish. And on Bid Day, when you cross the finish line, it doesn't matter how anyone else did. What matters is that you got your "best time" - you found the home that is the best fit for you.

A more competitive recruitment is simply a marathon where everyone has a higher level of preparedness. Because of RFM (read the threads on it if you want to understand how it works), you might get cut heavily in the beginning. But remember that that's how it works for everyone. All the chapters have to cut a certain number of women. The most important thing is that the chapters that keep you are the chapters that see something in you that resonates with them. They want you.

Sorry if this got a little rambly, but I want to emphasize that you can do this. You're starting at the right time. Prepare, persevere, stay positive, and you can finish the marathon.

Editing due to an excellent point made by KSUViolet06.

Not everyone can cross the finish line. Not everyone winds up with a bid. It's our experience on GC that most women who maximize their options and keep an open mind do find a home through formal recruitment, but some don't. Sorry about the confusion, but I got carried away with my metaphor.

I spent 3 years at ASU for my undergrad. I went through COB/rush/recruitment events for 3 sororities there before finding my home with Omega Phi Alpha. I truly believe that no matter what, you'll find a home in one of the many sororities there, whether NPC or not.

KappaKitty- I appreciate the marathon analogy, since I'm a runner! :p Thanks for your encouraging post- you're right that running is all about competing against myself. I know I'm not guaranteed a bid, especially since I won't know any of the girls there, but since ASU is so huge, I'm not worried about missing out on social events if I don't get a bid. And I can always sneak into the frat parties, right? ;)--- kidding, of course!

Question- what is RFM? :o

Dreamful Spirit, I'm so glad to hear from someone who was greek at ASU!! Do you mind if I ask you more about the university?

Definitely! Go right ahead!

Thanks! Sent you a pm, since most of my questions are way off topic for this thread...

True, true. I didn't think of that. Good call.

Sounds like you have a great attitude.

Correct me if I'm wrong, someone, but I believe that RFM stands for Release Figure Method. Basically it's the use of a complex mathematical formula to determine for each chapter how many women they need to release at the end of each round of recruitment. The numbers are based on the chapter's size and return rates and many other factors over a number of years. The idea is to prevent PNMs from being strung along by the "top" chapters and then suffering massive cuts right before pref.

What RFM means for PNMs is that they're more likely to suffer massive cuts early on but then hold steady-ish for the rest of recruitment. You'll see examples of this in many of the more recent recruitment stories here. At a campus with 9 sororities, for example, a woman might be cut down to 5 houses after the first round (harsh seeming), but then have 4 houses after the second round and a full slate of parties for preference. The benefit for PNMs is that they know early on which chapters are really interested in them. That way they can pay more attention and make a better choice without being distracted by chapters that, for whatever reason, have no intention of bidding them in the first place.

Hope this helps.

I have intimate knowledge of the recruitment process at ASU. I personally don't think the recruitment process is that competitive compared to most campuses. Most women who keep an open mind during recruitment and don't have their sites set on 1 specific Chapter will usually get a bid. Being out of state will not hurt you. Kids come from all over the country to go to ASU. There are some areas of the country that are represented more than others, but it is a good mix of students plus it is a HUGE communter school. Recs and legacies are not that important at ASU. A lot of women going through are not legacies.

Here is the way the process works: Recruitment starts Labor Day weekend. Friday night is open house round. Each party is 15 minutes long. You will go to all 12 Chapters that day. THis day is very casaul. It will be hot so dress comfortable. All Chapters will be wearing a Panhellenic t-shirt on this day. You will then be asked to rank the Chapters in order of your prefence. Day 2 is the first invitational round. You will receive invitations to the Chapters that have invited you back. This round is 30 minutes and most Chapters will talk about their Philanthropies on this day. You will again rank your Chapters in order of preference. Round 3 is 45 minutes long. This is a a little dressier this day. A slide show is typically shown during this day to showcase the Chapters both Nationally and what they are like at ASU. The last day is Preference. It is currently 2 parties maximum for you to go to, but there was a vote taken recently to change that so I'm not sure where they are at with that.

If you have applied for dorm housing you will have to stay in the dorms your first year. In the past they have let women switch to sorority housing, but that practice has stopped. Most Chapters do have a live in policy of 1 to 2 years.

That makes sense, thanks! I just want to make sure I at least meet the girls in each house and get a feel for the sorority before cuts, so I feel like I got the whole experience.

Thank you so much for all of the info! It's nice to know I won't be the only out-of-stater (Actually, I've heard of lots of northern kids going to ASU for the gorgeous weather!) there. The events sound great!

I know someone who goes to ASU and is a DZ...apparently she loves it there are loves her sorority sisters. I'm sure once you get a feel for them all you'll be able to find which one you really like.
don't forget your sunscreen!

Hey I'm going to be a freshman at ASU next year too!
I'm so excited about rushing but completely nervous.
I feel so clueless about it!

I currently go to ASU as an out of state student, and I can tell you that I had no problem during recruitment. If anything, it's a good topic for conversation. As for competitiveness, I didn't think it was that bad. When I went through recruitment, there were about 700-800 PNMs, and only 12 houses participating! :eek:

It was a little nerve-wracking but I made it through! You shouldn't be intimidated. The first day (this all happens over labor day weekend) of fall recruitment, a LOT of girls get cut, but it's because they don't have the grades. In fact, over the next few days a lot more girls drop on their own because they got cut from a house they had their heart set on. But, it sounds like you're pretty open-minded like I was, (which is a good thing!) so I have no doubt you'll get into a house.

Basically what sororities are looking for is a girl who exemplifies their values, is well-rounded, friendly, and who fits in with the rest of the house. Of course, BE YOURSELF, but it IS a good idea to practice making small talk and questions to ask in case the conversation hits a lull.

Let me know if you have any questions at ALL about recruitment, ASU, or sororities!

And P.S. I always recommend spring recruitment because it is less stressful, but the catch is that some sororities participate in fall only.

Hi!! Yeah, I feel clueless too. This site is a lifesaver!!

Well, my high school grades are pretty darn good! :p So that's kind of a relief to hear..

I definitely like to keep an open mind! Although I'm worried about finding my 4-year home after such brief meetings with the girls. A few parties really isn't a lot of time, when you think about it.

Oh gosh, yes! Do you mind hefty pms? LOL. :D

Not at all! I'll do my best to answer any questions!

My younger brother just got in here. How competitive is it for fraternities if you are out of state?

Hey Greek Chat peeps!! :)

Reviving this thread because it's getting much closer!! The good news is that I DID find "connections" to 2 sororities within my circle of adult acquaintances (And that's saying alot, because I thought I knew no one!!!), and the alumni women that I have contacted in alumni have been so sweet and helpful and willing to write recs for me!

So if anyone else has ASU advice or experience, please share! I'm excited to rush but the "what ifs" are also creeping up; mainly I am scared that I won't get a bid. :(

It is getting closer and I'm getting even more excited.
Have you registered yet for rush? The link is up on the ASU greek page just in case you haven't already. And the dates/times are posted as well! :)

Facebook Rush groups are starting to pop up, you should start to check that out. I know, for IFC at least, that they're pushing to use the facebook groups as another staple for recruitment. You'll get a bid somewhere, greek life isnt super exclusive. i dont think i've known any girl who hasnt gotten from a chapter.

While you might not KNOW any girl who hasn't gotten into a chapter, I feel like I need to point out (for the sake of any PNMs reading) that no one's guaranteed a bid. I'd venture to say thay most do, however.

I'm bumping this up one final time!

Rush is nearly here!!! :)

THANKS SO MUCH to all the supportive people who offered help and advice on this thread and through pms! Greek chat is an amazing place!

Good Luck at ASU! some of my family goes to ASU. Its a fantastic place, you will have so many groups to choose from. Keep your head up, I hope it works out for you.

be sure to perfect your pitch fork. ;)

Good luck, Giuliana! You've gotten some great advice here from some very knowledgeable GreekChatters - follow it, they know what they're talking about ;) Keep us posted if you want to/have time.


ETA: I love your name, BTW. I think I want to name one of my kids Giuliana, lol.

Good luck with rush.

My biggest piece of advice is to go in with an open mind. Rush at ASU (like anywhere else) can be overwhelming. It is held in the MU and is just crazy insane (in a good way). Be positive. Let the chapters see the "real" you!

Thanks so much everyone! I will be posting my story soon!

Hey thanks! It's not my real name-- but I chose it as my username as a tribute to my Italian heritage. :)

Best of luck, Giuliana! You have such a wonderful attitude, and I'm excited to hear how things turn out for you! I hope you have a fantastic recruitment experience.

Awww thanks! :)

I hope so too!! Watch out for my story! :)

Does anyone know if ASU is looking to expand at all or is the AGD colony/chapter still getting its footing? Thanks :)

I have not heard any information on any more expansions (I do have an opinion on who should be the next group though:)). I believe this will be AGD's first formal recruitment since they recolonized.

Thanks hon - one of my sisters is living in the area now and was just inquiring as to what's up with the system in general.