Question About COBing
 

Hello!

So, I was unable to go through rush as a freshman or a sophomore and while I have enjoyed my time at college, I've really become interested in joining a sorority. Since recruitment is already over and I don't think my chances of rushing as a junior would be very... good. I was interested in COBing either in the Fall or Winter semester.

Although, after talking to a friend, she told me that while a few do register to COB, sororities usually do 'quiet bidding' where they will ask a friend of members in the sorority to join. In order to up my chances, she advised me to send out an e-mail to the recruitment chair of a few sororities I was interested in and let them know just that.

So, I guess I was wondering if this would be a good idea... I am really interested in joining a sorority but I feel like I would be only allowed to look in to a few sororities if I join the COb list. Whereas, if I send out an email, sororities that aren't in the list would take a look at me. What do you think about sending out an e-mail? And if I went through with it, what exactly should I write?

Thanks for your time and consideration,
Elle

Sororities that aren't on the COB list are most likely not there because they met quota and are at or above total and thus cannot accept new members through COB.

If you don't have friends in sororities now, the list is your best bet. If you do have friends in sororities talk to them.

Keep in mind that only those chapters with open spots are able to COB.

The chapters on the list are probably the only chapters taking women during COB.

If a chapter is full, your email won't matter much because they can't take any more girls.

I would definitely email all the sororities that are COB-ing.
My chapter always gets more girls from COBs than actual Recruitment. It's a lot more casual and laid back and easier to meet girls/ get to know them because there's less of them. We actually had about 3-4 juniors join through COBs the last two years I was there.

Just go for it! You don't want to have any regrets later :)

I will check out the COB list, soon. It hasn't been posted, yet. Rush was just two weeks ago.

Although, at my school, a lot of the sororities do 'quiet bidding' and don't do formal COBing due to certain reputations. That's why I was hoping maybe an e-mail would help them notice me, in case they are looking but are not doing formal COB.

And before you ask, yes, I have heard of a lot of people getting 'quiet bids'. So, this was my way to get my foot in the door instead of bugging my friends.

Thanks again!

Bugging your friends is actually the best way to find out though. They are your foot in the door whereas an email is just an anonymous message.

Bug your friends. It is far more effective.

In other words, you need to do two things here:

1) Send out an email to the sororities who have openly announced that they're doing COB and let them know you're interested. If you have friends in these groups, tell them PERSONALLY that you're interested in joining a sorority.

2) Talk to your friends who are in sororities who HAVEN'T announced that they have open spots, and let them know you're interested in joining a sorority. If there are open spots, they now know that you're a viable candidate and will pass that info on if they see fit. If they don't pass that info on, trust their decision and move on.

Contact through a person who actually knows you as a flesh and blood human is ALWAYS preferable to sending an email. If a rush chair who's never heard of you gets an email from you, and has one of her sisters come in and say "hey! my friend Gina wants to rush!" your email is going to end up in the trash file.

Joining the COB list through the Greek life office/Panhel does NOT limit your choices in any way.

But, hey Amy Alpha, now that we've caught up for a few minutes, I want you to know that I am really interested in joining a sorority and I'd love to get your advice on how to do that. Can you tell me about COB or quiet bidding? Any suggestions on who I should talk to? Does your house ever bid girls after rush? I think you probably get the point - show interest, ask questions, be open for suggestions.

I would talk with the Greek Adviser and get her/him to circulate your name to those groups who are able to COR. He/she will know exactly which groups those are.

Oh yeah, I keep forgetting. I should have specified that "friend" = someone you actually talk to about things that matter in your life, not someone that sits 3 people away from you in class that you never talk to or someone who you only interact with on Facebook.

Simply saying "how did rush go?" is a good way to lead into it. If for some reason your friend feels you are not ABC material, she'll change the subject really quickly.

This.

Okay! Thank you all so much! I guess I will just have to use my networking skills in another way... Hah. Oh, the joys of being a Business major.

Also, I know this is a little late, but I have talked to friends and have signed up for COB - so thank you for that advice, but I was just curious.. if I were to send an email out, what exactly would I put in it?

You do mean to the sororities on the official list that you got from the Greek Life office, right? The sororities who went to the Greek life office and said "hey, we need to COB to get up to quota/total, please let any interested girls know," right?

Because please please PLEASE don't send an email to anyone else. Sororities could either 1) be really offended that you thought they had to COB 2) look at you as desperate/clueless/stalkery/all of the above.

I wish I could tell you what to put in the email, but anything I say just sounds...odd. So maybe someone else can help you with that.

Okay, you have a list of chapters that are doing COB? Go to each one's website, find the recruitment chair, and say something like this;

Hi, Rosie Recruitment Chair!

The GL office let me know that your chapter may have the opportunity to pledge a few additional women women this semester. I am very interested in Greek life, but wasn't able to participate in formal recruitment this year. Please let me know if there's still a chance that I can to get to know your chapter in the upcoming weeks.

Sincerely,

Elle

I would take a professional approach, so that even if you do accidentally hit a sorority that in no way would be doing COB, they don't think you're creepy or stalkery. And please remember, the chapters doing informal or quiet bidding are probably not Betty Best, so please consider the also great but smaller chapters on campus.

Dear Susie Membership Vice President:

I am writing to express interest in learning about any future COB events you might be holding. Due to reasons outside my control, I was not able to participate in formal recruitment either this, my sophomore year, or last year as a freshman. However, I am hoping to become part of this fantastic systems of friendships, leadership opportunity and philanthropic involvement as soon as possible, and I don't want to wait until next fall if I don't have to.

I understand that you have certain academic and other requirements of new and potential new members. Attached is a copy of my resume that should describe my credentials.

And DO make this your own. I'm a 40 something woman with LOTS of cold call letter writing experience, so mine would be much more formal than yours would be. So something between this and "hey, dude, can I pledge your house?" would seem appropriate.

Good luck!

That is just right.

I totally agree.

Me three.

Also if you do attend any events, especially a meal, send a hand written thank you card.

Why you ask?
1) it is good manners
2) it reminds them you are interested (even if you aren't interested, go with #1)
3) it gets your name to members who may not have met you, and may want to get to know you
4) it can help you stand out (see 1, 2, and 3)

Whether US mail or in the chapter mail box at the Greek Life Office is your method of delivery, do it with in 24 hours. Say thank you for inviting me, I had a wonderful time meeting you (chapter you) and getting to know you 9chapter you), the (movie, roast, activity) was enjoyable, looking forward to seeing all of you around campus, sincerely, your name.

If you see women you met at an event on campus and they don't recognize you right away, don't feel insulted. A wave or a nod in passing can be sufficient.

Me four.

The professional approach to this is to state your interest in the most basic and succinct terms and leave it at that. The more you say about past recruitment periods or about why you want to be in a sorority, the more risk you run of saying something that will put someone off before they have a chance to meet you. Right now, just express your interest. Save the sales pitch for any recruitment opportunities that are presented to you.

What DeltaBabyBaby advised is the way to go- word for word.

Good luck to you!

OMG.

She should NOT send emails to ANY sorority that the Greek life office hasn't expressly told her (preferably written down on a piece of paper so there's absolutely no confusion) is doing COB. There is no room and no reason for "accidents."

Okay and yes... if you were curious I was only going to send it to those on the list of sororities COBing.

It has just taken a long amount of time for the Greek Life Office to get back to me. Actually, a little over a month to reply to an email where I asked them how to sign up for COB. So, when the time did come, I wanted to be prepared and start things off quickly.

I guess I was getting apprehensive since it took them that long to email me back, I was afraid it would take much longer for the list to even go up. I want to join a sorority, but I wish things would go much quicker. Spoiled thought... I know.

And thank you to all of you who have written the letters for me! When I get the chance, I will use them. Also, I don't know if any of you are curious... but I could keep you updated on this search, if you would like.

Are you kidding? This recruitment stuff is like cake to a fat kid for a lot of GC women (and mens). Of course you should update. :p