Is it true that Theta is very exclusive?
 

Hi, I don't know why...but I've always wanted to become a Kappa Alpha Theta! So I was wondering...is it true that it is very difficult to become one? I know some Thetas, and they are all wondeful women. I would like to become one, too...would like some input from Greeks and Thetas themselves! Thanks!

[This message has been edited by bubbles17 (edited April 19, 2001).]

Hey Mandy!

That's excellent that you want to become a Theta--you never mentioned it to me! That's simply fabulous!!! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif. Yeah--I always wanted to become a Theta also, before college. Anyway, I'm not quite sure on how to answer your question...but yes, we are considerd one of the more "exclusive" if that's the right word...but then again, almost every sorority has their own more-exclusive chapters! So it kinda depends on your school...but nationally, yes, Theta is considered more "exclusive." I don't know if it is "difficult" to get into Theta--it depends on which chapter you are pursuing, and the girls which are rushing that year...if you are interested in Theta (ALWAYS a big plus if you know stuff about the sorority already!), seem to have the Theta morals/ideals, and seem like you would fit in with the sisters...I think that you would be highly considered! I don't know if "difficult" is the right word--I'm thinking more in terms of "we don't just pledge anyone"...does that make sense? Like we would not pledge someone who seemed like they would not fit in with us, someone who would not pursue the higher Theta ideals, someone who was not interested enough to learn about us prior to Rush activities.

I will e-mail you for more info about my beloved sorority, KAPPA ALPHA THETA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Caitlin

I thought that every chapter was different, so you couldnt really say that nationally Theta is exclusive. Do you have proof of this or was it said somewhere? I am not trying to bash you or anything- I am really just asking you that. From what i understand, ABC could be the top sorority at Alphabet College and then at Number college it was just average. So- in reality it depends on your school and shouldnt be named exclusive or not due to that fact??? Maybe i am wrong and Theta is indeed exclusive. We had Theta at Baylor and it was alright- like right in the middle, a little towards the top. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif I never knew any but i am sure they were great girls- we dont have KAT here at UH though.

Hello - I hate to "rain" on any parades, but (again going back to the SEARCH function) we have discussed this type of question before. And I must say that I am just really wondering what you mean by saying Theta is "more" exclusive -- I must have missed that one somewhere. And I am no expert, but having been in a sorority for 7 years (including serving as officers both within the collegiate and alum chapters), I would venture to say that EVERY organization (not just a sorority) does not just "pledge someone who seemed like they would not fit in...." We all choose our members (and they choose us) for what we have to offer each other. It has to be a mutually benefitting situation, otherwise you don't have a sister/brotherhood, you have a bunch of people who sit around wondering why they joined in the first place. Granted this is going to happen on some occassions in every organization (otherwise we'd all be filled at 4 million +++ members because other than death, no one that ever became a sister/brother would leave the fold).

In the sense that every organization out there fits the needs of various people seeking membership, we are all exclusive.

I am not trying to put Theta or you down, but rather to say we each have something special in our own organization - that is not the definition of exclusive!
http://m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary

Main Entry: 1ex·clu·sive
Pronunciation: iks-'klü-siv, -ziv
Function: adjective
Date: 1515

1 a : excluding or having power to exclude b : limiting or limited to possession, control, or use by a single individual or group

2 a : excluding others from participation b : snobbishly aloof

3 a : accepting or soliciting only a socially restricted patronage (as of the upper class) b : STYLISH, FASHIONABLE c : restricted in distribution, use, or appeal
because of expense

COMPLETELY agree with AXO Alum. I dont think there is a sorority that is "more" exclusive than another. Every sorority in their own way is unique and exclusive- so i will ask you this question again....what makes you say Theta is more exclusive nationally?

Hi Bubbles! I'm an active Theta. I'm not sure what Theta-cutie meant when she said that we are nationally exclusive. I know that we are a very old sorority ("the first greek letter fraternity known among women"), and we have a lot of chapters. We are strong in lots of different parts of the country, but other sororities could probably also claim that.

The "difficulty" of getting a Theta bid probably depends on what school you rush at, and on the year. Some years are more competitive than others because there are a lot of desirable girls rushing.

Legacy can make a difference, but only if we like you anyway. However, any legacy that comes to our pref night party is going to be on the top of the bid list. At that point, if they want in, we have to make room for them. Because of this, if there are a lot of legacies that want us, there may not be a lot of room left in the pledge class for non-legs. The number of legacies that rush varies widely every year. Last year we pledged maybe a couple and this year close to half (of the pledge class) are legacies. Almost all of our legacies preffed us. My chapter does not have to bid a legacy if we believe she doesn't fit in.

Get recs from Thetas if at all possible. It's fantastic if you can get a rec who went to the same college as you will be. Didn't you say you know lots of them? Send in several if you can get them, and give your recomenders a headshot of you to send along. This will make you stand out, and the girls will take extra care to meet you during rush.

If you're going through deferred rush (in January), the best advice I can give you is to get involved in 1 or 2 campus activities, and casually get to know some Thetas if your rush rules allow open contact. If the Thetas have mixers that open to the public at a certain time, show up looking cute and not overly drunk. If they have big service events open to the public, like a 5k run, do participate. You can bet they're paying attention to which girls came to these sorts of things.

[This message has been edited by twinstars (edited April 20, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by twinstars (edited April 20, 2001).]

No offense to Theta Cutie, but I'm with AXO Alum on this one.

I have to agree with the ladies who said that it is difficult to label one national sorority "exclusive" because the individual chapters are all different from one another. At my college, I recall three sororities that were very, very strong and well-respected nationally. However, the chapters on my campus each had anywhere between 8 and 12 members whereas the larger houses had 60-70. So, you never really know until you actually get to the school you will be attending what the reputation of any given sorority will be.

That said, I encourage you to go into rush with an open mind. Good luck!

~~ Tracy

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Proud to be Delta-Z :-)

Hee! I go to Baylor. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif

[AXO Alum shaking her head...]

Okay - what am I missing here? I am sorry, but these comments aren't making this thread sound any better. Maybe the Theta's who are responding could email Bubbles privately -- that way the comments aren't open to being misread or misleading.

Still think the "search" option is a good thing to try.

on my campus, it would seem that Theta is very exclusive, however, if you know the girls in the house, reality is that they are very inclusive. i think some people might see Theta (or any other sorority) as exclusive becuase they are strong, confident, women who hold their heads up high and are very proud to be who they are. i've come to realize that some people are afraid of and falsely label people who are outgoing and admirable. I love my theta friends http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif

[QUOTE]Originally posted by twinstars:
If the Thetas have mixers that open to the public at a certain time, show up looking cute and not overly drunk.

I'm so glad my rush experience was not this shallow.

[quote]Originally posted by shadokat:

Quote:

Originally posted by twinstars: If the Thetas have mixers that open to the public at a certain time, show up looking cute and not overly drunk. I'm so glad my rush experience was not this shallow.

So its not just me, huh?

[quote]Originally posted by shadokat:

Quote:

Originally posted by twinstars: If the Thetas have mixers that open to the public at a certain time, show up looking cute and not overly drunk. I'm so glad my rush experience was not this shallow.

Hey everybody! Calm down a little. I think what twinstars was trying to say was basically this: if you're interested in pledging a sorority, you should put yourself in a position to be noticed by the sisters (i.e., attending philanthropic and social events hosted by the chapter). Also, while you're there, make sure that you carry yourself like a lady (i.e., don't show up completely trashed and act obnoxious). Just try to make a good impression - that's all. Am I right, twinstars?

I think what Theta cutie meant was that Theta was one of the more "well known" sororities nationally, as opposed to being exclusive. Most people in the greek system know a lot about the other GLO's, but people outside of it are more likely to have heard of KKG, Theta, Tri-Delt, or DZ as opposed to say, Alpha Sigma Alpha or Sigma Delta Tau. And it has nothing to do with the quality, because all 26 orgs in the NPC are equally awesome. It's just that some are larger and have more chapters, and therefore are more well known. And maybe that's why outsiders PERCEIVE these groups as being more "exclusive." Anyone in the Greek system should know that all chapters are different, and that nationally all groups are great, and no one org is more exclusive than another when it all gets averaged out. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif Anyway, Bubbles, best of luck in your rush -- I hope you get Theta if that's your favorite but I'm sure you'll be just as happy no matter where you go.

Well said, KappaGirl00...Rock on!

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Phi Love,
AEPhiSteph

Well said, KappaGirl00...Rock on!

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Phi Love,
AEPhiSteph

Yes, I don't understand why everyone was so appalled with what I had to say.

Okay, here is what I took these comments to mean:

"We are strong in lots of different parts of the country, but other sororities could probably also claim that."

Meaning to me: Theta is really strong, but others "could probably" claim that too? Of course the strength of a chapter will depend on many factors -- not just where it is physically located, but also the quality of girls, the GPA factor, the philanthropy aspect, etc. Of course EVERY org can claim to be strong in certain places, while that same org will be weak in others. Theta is not "exclusive" because they are strong in some places. They aren't strong here at all, and I never even knew about Theta until I met a girl in grad school.

"Legacy can make a difference, but only if we like you anyway."

Meaning to me: "If we don't like you, you're screwed." It just sounded really tacky in these words. Let peopl do their own search on legacies -- Lord knows we have PLENTY of topics already on that one! Legacies are important - it is important that the girl fit with the sorority, and vice versa -- if not, then no one wins. But I will say this, if my daughter, niece, whatever is not considered for membership by a chapter, I would expect the appropriate explanation from that chapter to follow. I have dedicated a great deal of my life to my org, and I want to instill that respect into my children and other legacy potentials.

If the Thetas have mixers that open to the public at a certain time, show up looking cute and not overly drunk."

Meaning to me: "Its okay if you show up a little drunk, just not completely wasted. Oh and please look cute - we don't want any street people crashing our party." For the chapters of AX that I have been involved with, the number one thing we look for during the weeks prior to rush is who shows up drunk at frat parties. If you show up drunk -- even if you aren't "overly" drunk --I can promise you that you will be on the top of the "No" list. That's not cool -- sure we drink and have good times together, but we don't like to have our list of "Good Qualities" to include "drunk, but not overly so" -- I am sorry for the sarcasm (okay, not really), but dang -- we NPC'ers already catch enough slack from people for showing our shallow sides more often than not. This doesn't help us out any! (And, by the way, when our girls come back from summer, its about 4 weeks before rush, and we are completely dry -- no drinking at parties, no mixers, etc. D-R-Y --- we don't want our sisters giving the image out that "Hey - come be one of us -- look at how drunk we can get in public"....I'm not saying that other orgs do, I'm just saying that this is our commitment to being responsible greeks and putting our best foot forward in preparation for rush).

So that is my personal deal with some of the comments made -- the others I spoke of in previous posts. (Note the definition of 2b - snobbishly aloof) -- exclusive sounds like some uppity butt club where you have to produce a list of your lineage and be "voted" in based on what others have been versus what you are. That's not a very flattering image for ANY org to produce in hopes of gaining membership.

And again...say it with me my fellow GC'ers...S-E-A-R-C-H! Here's a little song to help us all remember (to the "Let It Snow" tune for those of you musically inclined to sing along):

Oh the repeat posts are frightful
To do a search is so delightful...
So don't leave the regulars in a lurch...
do a SEARCH, do a SEARCH, do a SEARCH!!

It doesn't show signs of stopping
And our attitudes all are 'copping
My favorite tree is the birch...so
do a SEARCH, do a SEARCH, do a SEARCH!!

~~Thank you, thank you very much -- don't forget to tip your waitress, and remember - the 9 o'clock show is completely the same...~~

For "The SEARCH is Right", this is Bob Moderator and AXO Alum reminding you to help control the POST population -- have your posts spayed or neutered...goodbye everybody!

LOL
AXO. You never ever ever cease to enlighten my mind and to make my sides split open with absolute hysteria. WHERE DO YOU COME UP WITH STUFF????. One comment is always funnier than the next! (and more sarastic too! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif ).

As far as the above topic....here's my two cents. I think starting threads, like this one, even if genuinely interested (which I'm sure bubbles is) is a recipe for disaster.

As us regulars have seen ALL too often, when you ask a question on any particular house such as 'is it popular?' 'is it difficult to get into?' 'what's it's rep on your campus' et cetera, et cetera, et cetera, you're gonna get flamed, or start a flame. Because you can't just ask a question on a org's reputation in any way without SOME controversy starting somewhere.

So, in the future, here is my advice. If you really wanna know about Theta, and their exclusivity, or lack there of, or reputation or how many chapters or if their girls have predominatly red hair and green eyes, go to the THETA forum and ask them. Kappas or Gammas or Sigmas aren't going to say 'yah, it's impossible to get into theta!'. And if, let's say, Theta does have some rules on exclusivity we don't know about, they're not gonna tell you in open forums like greek life. (Not saying Theta does of course, but a question like 'are they exclusive?' can only answered by 'no' or by answers saying 'yes, yes we are' which of course, doesn't look so good to the rest of us greeks and non-greeks) So ask the Thetas or e-mail one personally. and ask AXO_Alum so eloquently said help control the POST population -- have your posts spayed or neutered...goodbye everybody!

[This message has been edited by gphi2k (edited April 20, 2001).]

Kappagirl,
I completely agree with you- outsiders may perceive sororities on their campus as more exclusive than others- but in reality all chapters are different. Also, i agree with you about how members of the greek system should know this, but lets keep in mind that Theta-Cutie was the one that said yes, nationally it is exclusive.

I am not greek and i even know not to say that. Once again, I am fully 100% behind AXO Alum- she hit it right on the button- as always!!

AXO Alum- you are way too funny! love ya! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif

Bubbles- If I remember correctly, you aren't even in college yet, right? Not that it's a big deal, but I wanted to point out that deciding which sorority you'd like to join before going to college, or going through recruitment, is a bit premature. It's great that you are thinking ahead, but let your heart lead you during recruitment. Every night during my rush I had a different top pick. Relax and let things flow, you'll end up where you were meant to be.
Best of luck!
Heidi

Thank you everyone for responding. I'm sorry that I started this therad anyway...and by the way, I DID post it also in the Theta forum--it's just that not many ppl access that forum, and I would think more replies would be here.

Anyway--I'm really disappointed/sorry that many of you think that Theta-cutie and twinstars' comment were "shallow" or whichever you think. I totally understand what twinstars means when she says "show up looking cute and not overly drunk." She basically means, I think, that you want to look NEAT and PRESENTABLE and not drunk. How is that wrong???????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLus, when Theta-cutie says that they don't just pick anyone, and when twinstars says that NOT EVERY legacy will be pledged IF the Thetas do not get along with them...HOW IS THAT WRONG???? If the Thetas do not get along with a legacy--I don't care if it's a double, triple legacy (I'm a KKG triple legacy BTW!), if the sisters don't like her, how could she be happy in the soroity anyhow??

Theta-cutie has already e-mailed me about Theta--and I am VERY grateful to her. She does not, nor does twinstars, come off to me as "snobby" or whatever you guys might think. She is a very nice person--and think about this--she wrote her post at arounde 3:44 AM--she might have been a little tired, you know. I also agree with kappagirl--she prolly meant that Theta is more WELL-KNOWN. If you read over her post again, she DID say that each chapter is different. And twinstars advice I thought was VERY helpful, at least for a prospective! It's too bad that you guys don't see that! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/frown.gif

HeidiHo, thank you!!! Yes, I'm a HS senior--I will try to go into rUsh with an open mind--but I know many Thetas and they are so cool!

P.S.--I HAVE tried the Search Button! I've done a search on Theta--and I clicked on numberous threads about their "exclusitivity" or "eliteness" and my computer turned up Errors. So please--I DID indeed search before I posted.

P.P.S.--Is it true that Thetas that are active (college) cannot write recs for you? All the Thetas that I know are in college!

I'm pretty sure 33girl is right about who can write recs... I think current (initiated) Thetas are OK as long as they're not at the college where you'll be rushing. Other sororities may not allow actives to give recs, I'm not sure.

[This message has been edited by twinstars (edited April 21, 2001).]

Twinstars, I was not appalled by your post on looking cute or being overly drunk. Heck, I wasn't even talking about the overly drunk part. I just hate that we all think every sorority girl has to be this "cute" thing. My advice to every woman choosing to go through recruitment is be yourself. You don't need a Prada bag and Bebe black pants to get into a sorority. And you shouldn't. That is all I was trying to say.

In response to what someone else said about Theta and KKG and such being more "well-known" sororities, I think that is really a regional thing, because I never heard of Theta or KKG until I graduated and started doing NPC stuff for my national. We had ASA, AST, Tri Sig, Phi Sig and D Phi E... most of which would fall into your "lesser known" sororities. I think this just sort of varies by what area you're in.

In any case, to AXO, you missed your calling as a stand up comedian, so quit your job now and get yourself an agent http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif And to bubbles, if Theta is what you want, then go out and get it http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif I wish you the best in your search when you get to college!

OMG, AXO Alum - I really hope you have applied for a job at Saturday Night Live. If not, you've missed your calling!!

As everyone knows, I bloody hate these "what do you think of" threads, because even if there are 20 people with good comments, there will be the one ding-dong who has something rotten to say that will get hashed over and blown out of proportion. My advice is if you really love your or another fraternity or sorority, don't subject it to one of these threads.

As far as the "exclusivity" issue, looking at Theta's website it seems like several of the schools they are at are more "exclusive" themselves (like Harvard and Johns Hopkins). I would wager they made a conscious effort to have, say, one chapter at Harvard instead of 3 chapters at less prestigious schools. Every sorority has a different expansion philosophy - but I don't even want to get into that topic since I did a quasi-vent on it yesterday. However, I'm sure that Theta, just like EVERY sorority, has chapters that have women banging on the door to get in and chapters that struggle.

I think twinstars was trying to say what we all say - be yourself but put on your best face during rush. If you're going to an event where lots of your hopeful-future sisters will be, don't show up in dirty sweats with last night's eyeliner on your face. Heck, you shouldn't do that anyway, just out of respect for yourself.

Bubbles - I answered this in your other post but I'll go again - I think that collegians can write recs, but NOT if the girl is rushing their chapter. It sounds like you are really psyched about Theta, but keep an open mind and check out the other sororities too. Even if they don't become your sisters, they could still become good friends!

33girl...Get outta my brain! Seriously though, would you mind an email chat about "expansion philosophy"? I would really like another perspective on the subject.



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Phi Love,
AEPhiSteph

Steph - my addy's in my profile. Let's chat it up!! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif

Hey Bubbles,

LIke many have said, if you want Theta, go for it hon!! Nobody is stopping you. But on the other hand--always keep an open mind while rushing--who knows, you might end up with a dream sorority that you had never relaly tought about before! BTW, call me nosy http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif, but what about Kappa? I'm a Kappa--and I see that you are a triple Kappa legacy http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif.

About Theta being exclusive--I don't know if "exclusive" is the right word. Theta cretainly has a very high reputation, IMHO, nationally. But like many have said, their reputation/exclusivity/etc. all vary from chapter to chapter. The thetas I know are superb--Kappa and Theta on my campus are rivals, but very good friends nevertheless! The Thetas all are intelligent, beautiful!, nice, sweet, fun to be around...and the list goes on! HTH, good luck with Rush!

33girl, you know I want in on this too!! AEPhi, 33 and I regularly chat about these ideas http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif Care if I join you all? Copy me!

I tried to email you, and it did not work. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/frown.gif Do you have a new addy?

I tried to email you, but it did not work http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/frown.gif Do you have a new addy?

I completely agree that it is not cool to put any sorority in any category for a girl that is looking to rush. I think we do these girls a diservice by saying who is exlusive, who are the pretty ones, who are the ones who will let anyone in. IT'S ALL ABOUT GREEK LOVE BABY!!! Bubbles, you seem like a sweet girl, I understand you already like Theta girls, but take me for example. Going in to College I wanted to be a Tri-Sigma, all I thought about was how badly I wanted to be one, but I came to college and I really didn't like the attitude that the chapter was putting forth (this is not saying anything of all Sigmas) they came off as being really snotty and slutty. So I looked at other chapters and I found my home in Alpha Gamma Delta. So like I said, don't set your sights on one chapters as appealing as it is, b/c in the long run you really never know where you are going to end up. I think all sororities are amazing. If they weren't they wouldn't have the girls that they have!

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Katey, ZA chapter of AGD
"Could I have been anyone other than me?"-Dave Matthews