UF Sororities (a very important question)
 

Nearly all of the UF sororities are solid (100-150+ girls it seems), so that's not a question. But, which sororities are competitive to the degree that a rec is nearly required to be considered? I've tried to pick up recs from as many sororities as possible; because it's getting to be crunch time (less than a month before Formal Recruitment/Rush begins!), I'd like to know if there are any extremely competitive sororities that I need recs for should I even be considered or stand a shot at being competitive for these groups.
Thanks! (For extra info, I'm an incoming Freshman, and this is my first time Rushing)

As someone who served as VP of membership of a chapter at UF, I can tell you that ALL the houses at UF are competitive, not just SOME. Try and secure recs for every chapter. Recommendations, however, are just one step in the process. Go into recruitment confident, don't worry about the reputations of some houses being ultra-selective. Your personality and what you have to offer our chapter is the most important factor. Good luck!

All of them. UF is one of those schools where almost everyone has recs and just the fact that you don't have one can lead to your being cut from a chapter, no matter what the "tier."

See sticky at top of the Sorority Recruitment page - schools where you absolutely need to have recs...ALL SEC schools are included...so, yes, you need them for UF - every house.

Yes, you will need Recs for every chapter at UF, if you want to have the best chances.

Our Panhellenic webpage is also updated as of this year - including the what to wear page, so please utilize it!

http://ufpanhellenic.com/home

I just went to an informational meeting last week and we were told from women on the Executive Board that recs were NOT mandatory. But, if you want to do them that it's up to you, it may give you an upper hand but it will not be the sole reason that a house keeps you, but it could give you a little edge.

:)

Be aware that it is NPC rules that they have to say recs are not necessary. The reality is a completely different story. We have lamented the problem on GC for many years. If you want to have the best shot at a successful recruitment, get your recs.

As well-meaning as these women are, recs are most definitely required for all sororities at UF.

They just have to say that they're not required. Please see countless other threads on recs, SEC and other competitive schools, UF, legacy, etcetera every other topic under the sun.

I have seen the threads. Everyone I've talked to, though has said they aren't required, the UF is different than other SEC schools. Obviously girls still want to get them, myself included, but we were told not to stress if we couldn't get any or if we couldn't get one to all houses.

:)

I meant to say *that not the. hehehe. oops.

You're told that because that is what Panhellenic HAS to say. That is not the reality.

Right. UFgirl and all other PNMs who are going through recruitment at any of the "recs are required here" places on GC, PLEASE continue to work on getting recs. It's a really silly reason to be cut when it's something you can control. :)

Do recs have to be from sisters from your school or can they be from other schools? :)

i went to fsu, but i can write recs. to any zta chapter. same goes for members of the other 25 npc sororities.

to reiterate, YOU NEED RECS. AT UF. while they might not be an advantage, not having them will certainly be a disadvantage, and your options will suffer!

They can be from any initiated sister of that organization, though, different organizations may require that the rec be from an alumna not a collegian. Recs from the school may hold more meaning than from another school, but most people will agree that recs from someone who knows you are better than from someone who doesn't know you even if the one who doesn't know you is from the right school.

This varies by organization, but some organizations require that recs are from alumnae, not from collegiate members. Some allow recs from collegiate members only if they are from a different collegiate chapter. Some allow recs from collegiate members at the school itself. It varies. For all organizations though, they can be from alumnae from any school. Ideally, they will be from people who know you. Start asking around now.. friends, neighbors, parents' friends and co-workers, people at your church, teachers from your high school.

Thanks so much!! I was always under the impression that recs HAD to be from alumna and then I just read on the fb page that active sisters could write them. That put me at ease because I have friends in almost every chapter. :) Also, is it possible to have multiple recs for one chapter, or would that just be redundant? lol. Thanks SO much, again!
:)

a couple of recs. to the same chapter will be alright-5 or more is not necessary. one excellent rec. will do more for you than a dozen mediocre ones.

for zta, a collegiate member must have an alumna sign the rec. form with her for it to be valid.

SOME organizations allow recs to be written by an active. SOME require that it's from an alumna. You should ask your friends in the chapters what their policy is, and fast, because if you need one from an alumna, you need to be contacting alumnae NOW.

Since recruitment starts in a little under a month, you want to give your rec writers as much time as possible.

Thank you, everyone! It really helps and means a lot! You are all SO sweet. :)

Just be aware that some orgs won't allow an active to write a rec for a PNM who is rushing her chapter. I know at least for Kappa, if I were an active member of Omega Omega chapter at Big State U, I can't write a rec for a girl going through rush at Big State U. However, if I were an alumna of Omega Omega chapter, I could write a rec for a girl going through Big State U rush. Hopefully that helps clarify a little. :)

I don't think ANY NPC orgs allow an active to write a rec for a woman who is rushing her chapter. It would be kind of pointless - anything she could say in a rec, she can convey while she's there and the sisters are voting on PNMs or before that. The whole idea behind a rec is for those alums who aren't there to put in their two cents and say that in their opinion, this rushee would make a good member.

The only way I think this would fly is if the active is studying abroad or at an internship/student teaching and isn't participating in rush.

UFGirl, GET RECS! Panhel has always done this song and dance and while recs at UF are not life and death like they are at some other SEC schools, please believe that most of the girls you're going through recruitment with have them.

A little story that might help: This weekend I met a lovely girl through her brother who is planning on rushing at another SEC school this fall. We were talking about her recruitment and she mentioned she only had a few recs, and come to find out my chapter was one she was missing. Well, now not only am I writing her a rec, I've contacted some of my best friends from college to write her a rec to their sororities as well! That's FOUR different chapters in just one simple conversation! Talk to anyone you know who was Greek in colllege, chances are they had friends who were greek!
And good luck!