Recs
 

Okay, so I'm go to rush at UF in the fall and I just had a general question. I know everyone says that recs are really important and that you should get as many as you can, but I don't know anyone in the Greek system. All of my friends and family think that sororities are creepy cult-like organizations and are terribly unsupportive of my desire to join one. This is okay with me, honestly. I know that I want a sisterhood of wonderful girls who do wonderful things and I know that I can find that in a sorority. My point here is that my one and only rec comes from my favorite English teacher from high school and I'm really excited about that house, but I don't want the other houses to count me out just because I don't come from a family of greek members. I'm cute, smart and charming. Will they actually cut me just because there isn't a piece of paper that says I know people in the system? And, if so, is there anyone who would be willing to help me out and write one for me? Do they even count for much if you don't know the person who wrote it?

There's not one in my city, but thanks for the link. I'm not really begging for recs unless someone sees me as this hopeless case and wishes to take pity on me, haha. I just wanted to know the actual probability that a house that I love and loves me will cut me because I don't have recs. My friend (who is a XO here) says they don't really matter until third round and, even then, if they love you, they're not going to cut you, but on people one here seem to be saying something different so I'm just looking for clarity. :)

There's no way for us to tell you the probability.

Okay. I just figured it couldn't hurt to ask. You never know.

Ask your English teacher if she can refer you to her friends in other sororities.
And for heaven's sake, PLEASE read the threads about Univ. of Florida recruitment. There are several dozen, from this year alone!

If you have a friend who is a Chi Omega, and that is not the same affiliation as your teacher, then I would ask her to either write a recommendation for you (if she is allowed) or see if she can find a Chi Omega alumna she knows to help you out. Some chapters will allow a collegiate member to write a letter of recommendation for someone--though note this isnt always the case and may not be the case for Chi Omega.

and then ask that alum if she has friends in the other groups at FSU...that's how you do it - find one then ask if they know any others...

Ask people from your place of worship (if applicable)
There might not be a panhellenic in your area--you might have to hop in your ride and make a trip!
Recs aren't gonna fall in your lap. Also ask your teacher if she has friends or acquaintances who can help you out

Good luck

I agree with all of you. I have to say, it's really rare to find someone who was Greek in college that does NOT have any former Greek friends. I can name five girls off the top of my head, all in different GLOs, who I am still very, very close to and I was in school some years ago. If your teacher was happy to write you a rec, surely she has even one friend who she could connect you with to do the same.

Your Chi O friend has to know other people that were greeks. Ask her, ask anybody you know. It's really up to you if you want to put in the extra effort into getting recs. You can take our suggestions or your Chi O friend's. Recs can only help you, not hurt you.

Are you saying thats okay that sororites are 'creepy cult-like' or that your family thinks that?

Yes! (bolding mine). And this speaks to the Panhellenic bond we all share. I have friends in almost every female GLO, including NPC and NPHC. I am more than willing to write a recommendation for a PNM that I meet. I will also put the PNM in touch with my own network, if that's something that I think is appropriate or warranted. And, conversely, other GLO members have called me to ask me to write for a friend's daughter, a neighbor, a student of theirs, and so on.

Yet another reason to wear your badge or some insignia more often (shameless plug here). You never know who will remember that you were a DEF or GHI or whatever. And your organization, or another, may gain another fantastic member.

That my family thinks that and that I don't agree, but respectfully let them have their own opinion.

And thanks for the advice. My english teacher, while she is willing to write me a rec, did not actually enjoy the greek system herself and was absent for most of it, therefore she has very few greek friends. Most of them are deceased since she's a little older. And my school doesn't allow current members to submit recs so my Chi O friend won't really affect much from her position. I do have a friend in like 4 or 5 houses though so perhaps their existence and support will overcome my lack of letter.

Thank you for everything.

The friends you have in GLOs know alumnae they can ask to do a rec for you. They have advisers, alums who do things around the house, etc. You need to think in terms of links, connections, etc. If you can maneuver Facebook to find new connections, think in those terms for this....friends of friends...

I got to know alumnae of my chapter immediately upon recieving my bid. As the years passed, I knew more and more (because, well, it's not like people STOP graduating).

Your Chi O friend probably knows at least a handful of Chi O alumnae, and they probably know a TON of alumnae from other chapters. Don't give up yet! Talk to your friend!

Maybe we need a sticky with instructions on how to get recs???????

With recommendations can a current member at another school write you a letter? or is that not acceptable being that she is still an active member?

I think we have one. Apparently we need to title it "Free Designer Shoes" or something that will make people actually read it.

Another idea:

Attention PNMs and Moms of PNMs: In this thread we name the top tier sororities at every SEC school

STEPS:

Step 1: Beg people online for recommendations.
Step 2: Spend 9,000,000 on a new wardrobe and makeover.
Step 2: ???????
Step 4: PROFIT! I mean, BID!