west coast recruitment vs east coast?
 

Hey GCers,
I've been lurking for a while now and it occurred to me that a lot of the advice on GC seems like it is only relevant to recruitment in a certain area, most of it being for the south. While it's all great advice and I have no doubt that I am more prepared for recruitment now than I ever was, I was wondering if anybody had some west-coast specific advise. I just feel like some things are completely different in different parts of the US i.e. i doubt anybody on the west coast would even notice if you wore white after labor day, you would probably be ok in some short jean shorts on day 1, not very many people would even notice if you were wearing Lilly Pulitzer, etc. I could be completely wrong, I am just a PNM but it just seems like the styles and culture are really different. I was thinking we could start a thread where members can put west coast recruitment clothing and rush advice if anybody out there has any. If there is already a thread like this you can just direct me there although I did already search for one and it didn't seem like there was anything very recent. Thanks for any help!

There have been multiple threads about recruitment in the West Coast, but I think the focus is more towards the South because of how competitive the systems are.

/lane swerve

Not all west coast recruitments are the same, though.

Ex: recruitment at SDSU is very different from USC. I might give different advice to PNMs at those schools.

So right. I think it's much more effective to search for the specific school.

There are some threads on here. I did one on the University I advise at in the west at a PAC 12 (then PAC 10) school you can find it here. http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...d.php?t=115881
Regionally, a lot of things differ and you can guess that is true with recruitment. You are right about Lilly not being popular out west. I know of it but have never owned a piece myself. Things do tend to be a bit more casual out west but appearance is important for our recruitments too. You will find tradition also varies from school to school.

There have been a couple threads (some in the past month) about PAC 12 recruitment. I know there is one about WSU right now and it is specifically about what to wear during recruitment. Some on here are about Oregon. Like everyone has said, there is a wide range of types of recruitment on the West Coast. I wouldn't recommend the same advice (or clothing) for UW that I would for UO. If you were willing to put your school (or hell just PM me) we could give better more specified advice. There are a number of us from the West.


Sidenote: I think we have at least someone from every "west" state. I know we have at least one person from Washington, Idaho, Colorado, California, Arizona and Oregon. IMHO that is kind of cool.

Oddly enough Lilly is getting to be popular on my campus. I know my chapter in particular has gone heads over heels for it.

West Coast schools aren't consistent across the board, like KSU said.

Even within San Diego, I'd give very different advice to a girl going SDSU vs USD vs UCSD. Same county, each very different.

I just replied to AXOrushadvisor's thread with information about UCLA recruitment, in case the OP, or others, wanted more west coast specific information.

In general, though, I don't think being over prepared will hurt you. Greek Chat has a lot of information for the most intense scenarios (SEC schools), but that advice will be applicable to all schools to some degree. Do you NEED letters of rec at your particular school? Maybe not. Will it hurt you? Pretty much never. In fact, regardless of your school, it will probably always help.

The other information about conversation skills is good. Clothing will vary by region, but as long as you are wearing something fashionable, appropriate and that makes you feel fantastic, you can't go wrong.

Referencing the Panhellenic website and any literature they provide is always going to be your best guideline for your particular campus. I would recommend, however, to be one step more conservative than what your campus Panhellenic recommends: if they say letters of rec are encouraged but not required, act as if they ARE required. If they say shorts and sandals are good for Round 1, wear nice sandals and a skirt.

That being said, note that some west coast schools are very competitive. USC always comes to mind as a very traditional/competitive campus. In general (please note: gross generalization to follow), private and/or conservative schools will tend to attract more PNMs from out of state, have more PNMs from backgrounds familiar with Greek life, and will be more traditional/competitive in their recruitment style.

Hm, I don't want to post my school publicly but it's not in Oregon, Washington, Arizona, or so cal. I mean that's a pretty big clue but I don't want to make it too easy. Thanks for the input, I know the schools vary I just feel like there's a really big difference between west coast and SEC schools. I'll check out some more threads, I haven't been able to find anything specific for my school yet but I'll keep my eyes open. It appears there's no easy answer..

What we're trying to tell you is there's not as much difference as you think. Girls going through rush during the same season will be dressed similarly all over the country, with varying levels of fancy, but still similar. Rush conversation is rush conversation everywhere. It starts out boring and superficial and transitions to personal and intense over the course of the week. There are songs and chants and tears and sore feet, all to varying degrees, all over the country. What varies tremendously is the physical structures, and even that is less regional and more about the size and style of the school than geography. If there were that big of differences, the sororities wouldn't be inter/national. Although some sororities are distinctly stronger in a particular region of the US, all of the NPC sororities are represented all over the country and are trained by the same national officers (which by the way are almost all clustered in two or 3 cities in the Midwest).

If you're concerned about rush and want to learn as much as possible, read ALL of the rush threads. If you find anything about your school, then great. But then you might focus too much on which sororities that poster preferred, and that's not good either.

It sounds like what you want isn't so much "more information about west coast recruitment", but more information about recruitment at your school in particular. I've seen recruitment at UCLA, USC, Pepperdine, SDSU and USD, and the main difference among those is the structure and details, like DubaiSis said. All the advice on conversation, recommendations, dress and preparation will stand for ALL of those campuses, and for many others I'm familiar with.

Some campuses will host recruitment parties in the chapter's house, some in a random room on campus, some will have on-campus suites dedicated to the chapter. Some schools will start recruitment before school starts, others will start a few weeks after school starts, or in the second semester. The rooms might be decorated minimally, or absolutely covered in balloons. Details will vary in regards to some of the rules of physical contact between PNMs and actives (some campuses won't allow shaking hands or hugs, some will), how much interaction can happen between PNMs and actives outside of recruitment, the door songs and rotation structures, and if the campus has an upperclassman quota (and it might work differently at different schools).

Bottom line: don't let the fact that you're attending a west coast school lull you into thinking that none of the information on GreekChat applies to your school or your situation. Don't take for granted that your recruitment experience is going to be much more relaxed than what you see here. If you want all the details and nitty-gritty of your campus, then find folks who know, or inquire about that school. Check the Panhellenic website. Talk to Greeks on your campus. Go to the pre-recruitment meetings. If there's no information on GreekChat about your campus, then it'd be lovely if you could recap your recruitment experience at your school. It would benefit future GreekChat readers like yourself!

Seriously, just come out and say what school you go to. What have you said about yourself? Nothing. Get the information you want and quit fishing. It's so tiresome. If you want to post something later that might out you, get another GC account, and don't include the fact that you're a sophomore.

Or you could try to do something really revolutionary like talking to someone. In person. At your school. Radical, I know, but not everything can be found and spoon fed to you on the internet.

This seems to be the season of the vague questioner looking for specific answers and it's getting a little repetitive.

Maybe we just have vague troll starting a bunch of threads trying to annoy us.

Whoa, I'm not trying to annoy you guys, and ya I have asked some people at my school it's just tough because I'm transferring there, I don't go there now or live near it. I had no idea this would turn into such a train wreck thread, just forget about it. I'll just keep getting "spoon fed" by the Internet. You guys just assume that I'm some anti social weirdo trying to piss off the GCers but I'm seriously just seeing if there's some info out there that I haven't read yet. No alterior motives, I'm just a girl whose nervous about rush. Now if youre going to mock me or just make fun of the thread fine, but those of you who actually had something helpful to say like telling me that rush is more or less the same at all campuses (yes, pnms with no Greek background or experience actually don't know that) or suggesting threads, thank you. The rest of you can seriously calm down, Greek or geek, thanks for that really eye opening comment there, it never occurred to me to talk to people who have actually done it before. I am getting all the info I can from all the sources I have available to me. Don't make assumptions.
I'll be going to University of Nevada, Reno. There you go.

Wow, now I feel like the sweet valley high thread OP.. Like I said, I'm just new to this I'm not trying to piss anybody off. Doesn't anybody remember how clueless they were about Greek life before recruitment?

Was that so hard? Now you may get some reliable information. Does anyone know anything about Nevada Reno?

Side note/double post: a troll trying to piss you guys off could literally post anything and I'm sure it would work.

Begone! Go back under your bridge.

sophomore PNM - I know about UNR! Have friends who attended there and know some current actives in several of the chapters. I think you'll have a wonderful recruitment if you prepare and go in with an open mind. It's not as demanding as, say Ole Miss, or Texas, or Alabama, or Indiana - but still and all, you do want to do your very best to maximize your opportunities.

Hindsight: It really would have been to your advantage to just simply put in a request "looking for info on recruitment at UNR". Save you time and get you where you need to be, quickly.

Oy, the UNR Panhellenic website is not very helpful. It lists the dates of recruitment and where to register, but nothing (that I could find) about what activities to expect, what to wear, letters of recommendation, legacy information, etc. Kind of a shame.

One further addition I can offer: competitive is relative. If it's you getting cut it's COMPETITIVE, and with RFM being in place at most schools these days, there will undoubtedly be cuts. It sounds like there are some women here who can provide you with valid advice and shame on UNR's Greek Life office for not providing more information via their website.

I know we can sound like we're contradicting ourselves about anonymity, but if you want real help, you do have to pony up at least a LITTLE background. We don't need to know where you're from, what school you're transferring away from, your bra or shoe size, but what school really does make all the difference. Now, feel free to ask any questions you have about rush at UNR and one way or another I'm sure you'll get your answers.

As soon as I saw the title to this thread I thought it was about East Coast rappers vs. West Coast rappers. LOL.

Haha that Barbie picture is great.

Mostly I just want to know how competitive it is. Do I need recs or do most girls not have any? On the website they say recruitment lasts a week but they only have 5 houses so what goes on every day? I know I could just wait to see when I get there but I'm still not even positive I will rush and I'm just really curious. If anyone has some past sorority experience at UNR that would be great too

Cousin rushed at UNR last year and though I heard from friends that recs weren't absolutely necessary I helped her secure one for each house. Cousin said that most of the girls she met during rush didn't have any. Several of them successfully received bids.

Quit paying any attention to the rumors and tent talk. Recruitment itself can cause enough stress as it is, so don't mindfcuk yourself with that crap.

Eeek, can you edit out the rumors there? I'm sure my Sister would do the same if you asked nicely. While you haven't posted a super ton of identifying information you still wouldn't want something you put on GC to affect you, and as far as I've seen the only thing that would is that little rumor bit.

As to whether or not the houses are mean or nasty to one another, you'll have to find out when you meet them at recruitment and after. We don't really deal in chapter reputations here.

Yeah, stop listening to tent talk. I can't say whether recs are super necessary but making an attempt to acquire one to each house might be helpful - talk now to pretty much every college alum you know and see if you can get something together. Without more knowledge of what it's actually like at UNR that's about as far as I can go.

Well that was a great way to win friends and influence people.

To that last one, I've just seen it so many times when a PNM posts an innocent question and everyone gangs up on them and then somebody wonders if it's a troll trying to piss off all the GCers. It's disheartening to those of us just wanting info, even if the question was obvious. And as far as that rumor goes I didn't believe it or start it, it was just a huge deal last year and personally if a sorority told me that I would be really put off by them, not the subject of their trash talking. There's no need to trash talk other sororities. It just seemed mean, I have absolutely nothing against pi phi I promised myself I will go into recruitment with an open mind if at all.

The rumor about GCers being tough on newbies is false. If you check out the other thread currently running over 14 pages, that poster is clearly a troll. Unfortunately we get our fair share. It also does not help when we get people who do not tell us the whole story, won't cut to the chase, lie or dont want to hear the truth about their situation. Sometimes our advice doesn't sound so nice because it's not what the person wants to hear, but it's what they need to hear.

Ok that's a fair argument. Sorry I didn't just come out and say my school I just wanted to check and make sure that I didnt leave any identifiable information. I have no doubt that you guys get trolls but sometimes I think things can get a little mean in a non constructive way. Any advice, sugar coated or blunt, is fine with me. I think this thread is turning into a little bit of a train wreck, I'm sorry I made things more difficult and that I am completely clueless about rush in general, let's just leave it at that and I'll start a new thread titled UNR rush, ok?

It'll calm down. People are a little hyper with southern troll agitating. It makes people see trolls behind everyone they don't know. Just hold out...some more regulars who know the west coast will come around hopefully and give you some input. I live out west, but I only have experience with one chapter out here. Otherwise I'm more familiar with the South and Northeast.

I have an anniversary of my love affair with the UNR Wolfpack, November 26, 2010.

I notice white, seersucker, and linen after Labor Day. This clip from Serial Mom has Kathleen Turner explaining it to Patty Hearst better than I ever could. http://youtu.be/flF_WJJ4194


I also wouldn't wear or suggest someone wear denim shorts, short shorts, or a combination of the two. Lastly, I may not have been in full on Lilly Pulitzer, but my vintage Lilly gets noticed and complimented at appropriate summer venues and events because it is a classic staple, and yes, I will openly admit that the newer stuff doesn't interest me.

But here's the thing to keep in mind. No matter what you or anyone else is wearing it doesn't mean a thing if that individual can't be comfortable and genuine with who they are. I can see past a closet eruption that ends up with a woman in formal shorts, a top without sleeves or straps with a bra that isn't or no bra at all, control top pantyhose with runs where the control top is visible, a trucker hat or a hipster beanie, and any of the following on her feet: Uggs, Crocs, Vibram FiveFingers, or socks with sandals. If she's interesting, engaging, funny, intelligent, and someone who genuinely likes who she is I'm going to eventually see past what she's wearing. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for an uninteresting, boring, dead in the eyes, dullard who was styled by Anna Wintour herself.

I've seen Lilly in places where there are yachts, sailboats, and we're inland on a lake. It is obviously more common out on the coast, say north of Monterey. Most unexpected and surprising Lilly experience I've had on this side of the Cascades involved the keen eye of a high school girl decked out in her blue corduroy FFA jacket correctly calling out my vintage (pre 1980s) Lilly. Never taken Lilly to Reno though, as i abhor hot weather and only go to the Incline Village, Truckee, Reno-Sparks vicinity when snow is involved. Oh wait, there was that one time for the bowling tournament, but there was definitely no Lilly, but a lot of Polly and Esther and it was awesome.

Generally though, I think the school will quite vary when it comes down to where the students come from in the Western States. Even though Idaho and Wazzu are close neighbors and have many similarities, our student populations are vastly different when comparing those from the other side of Washington and some place in a different timezone than the rest of the state known as Boise. I'd defer to WCsweet3> on this one, but I don't think there is as huge of a gap now between types of students at OSU and UO than there used to be (farmers v. liberal artists), and the same could be said for Linfield, Willamette, maybe Pacific, then there's Lewis and Clark being kind of dirty hippies, and then there's Reed reeking of patchouli.

Hmmm we have the same anniversary. :D

As much as some of my friends would hate to hear it, the fashion doesn't vary that much in Western Oregon. It rains and there is only so much one can do with that. Other than that the styles are pretty much the same group to group. If you're a hippy at UO, you will dress the same as the hippies at Pacific. Ditto with Greek life. I can post pictures (or email whatever is best) but I'm not sure how similar it would be to Reno. I assume that it is drier and warmer and well a desert so I'm not sure if it would be similar.

Amen!

What happens over here in Troyland is so super different from what's happening in Westwood Village, and that's just across town. I can't imagine trying to generalize the entire Western region.

OP, I never thought you were a troll.* Just remember that you're dealing with a lot of people who want to help, but they aren't mind-readers. And yeah, there are a ton of trolls with a lot of crazy stories.

*=ok, I've been going to online message boards for as long as I can remember, and I feel like the meaning of the term "troll" has changed significantly over time. It gets handed out pretty freely on a lot of websites. Some of my skating friends pretty much use it to describe anyone with an emphatic love for one skater!
I also feel obligated to say that I enjoy fun trolls.

Sure, pictures are always welcome. I can't give you my email because my name is in it but just posting them here or PMing me works if you're comfortable with that. Reno isn't super desert-like, they get rain and snow as well, theyre at a pretty high altitude. Most people who go there do so so that they can ski at Tahoe. From what I have seen on my visits it's more like a ski town vibe..
And thanks vandalsquirrel, I always love advice based on experience

Double post, thanks melindawarren, I understand that now.. it seems I'm learning message board eddiquette the hard way, haha. Thanks for your patience everyone :)

I've spent enough time in the Willamette Valley that I am unfortunately aware of those fashions, and I do prefer them to that ghastly detour to bat country, I mean Hawthorne in Portland. I wonder if UNR students dress more like Idaho or BJC students than UNLV students? Then there's a newish Nevada school, Nevada State College in Henderson, but it has no Greek Life. The few people I knew who attended UNR were smart enough to wear closed toe shoes in the cold and didn't use a rock for deodorant so maybe a bit less dirty hippy and more ski bum?

In my world trolls are awesome and to be respected. We call them Nisse and they are spirits who originally lived on the farm and could be mischievous but were also helpful. If you treated your Nisse well he would do helpful chores as well as protect the animals from theft or fire and if you moved he'd come with you. If you dissed the Nisse he'll break and steal things, and create chaos on the farm. For city dwellers the Nisse are often the culprit of missing things, like car keys, and the same respect and protect relationship exists. The Nisse are also associated with Christmas and called Julenisse, they bring the presents and are often accompanied by a goat.


If this was the Miller Analogy Test I'd put Reno with SOU in Ashland (except the lack of Greek system), there's a lot of people at Idaho who will come or go to class in their ski/snowboarding ensemble so they don't have to waste any time changing. My brother lived in Truckee and went to Sierra College so he could enjoy snow sports, cheap tuition, and transfer easier into Cal since he had a bit too much fun when he first tried college. Little sister had tons of tips for how to live full time in the mountains with this season called winter. As we all know from the Donner Party, a lot more snow fall on the western side of the Sierra Nevadas, I think Reno gets half the snow Truckee does. I haven't been to Reno in awhile, but we'd usually take the train from Emeryville so cocktail hour could start with mimosas and continue with before dinner drinks with no driving in the snow on 80, I highly suggest that method of transportation, though the return train trip is very early if one has a hangover. I do not suggest even considering a night in Circus Circus, even if they toned down the clowns because it is still creepy and full of children who will make noise. I'm mad at the Peppermill for that tired Tuscan remodel, and yeah they are doing amazing things with green energy, but Tuscany in Reno? Why not something more believable like Austria, Switzerland, or maybe northern Italy???

I'm really happy that so far there is a consensus that Idaho gets to be included in West Coast, but Boise, Utah State & University, and Arizona are in their own categories of Mountains and Southwest? Yeah, the University of Idaho is the sad football child, but at least we're not Boise or Gonzaga in either football or basketball, am I right? Much like our alumna Sarah Palin who could see Russia from her house, I can see Gay Marriage, Tax Free Groceries, and Alcohol for sale in stores not run by the state from my house (forreal, my windows face west). I can also see a place where Cougar Cheese is sold 24 hours a day if I desire a grilled cheese of Viking Dill Garlic or home made macaroni made even better by Cougar Gold.

I gave up deciding what was west when people started considering Colorado west. I know it isn't midwest, but it sure as Hell isn't west coast. Personally I blame the NBA for screwing it up. I mean the Northwest division is Portland, Utah, Denver, Oklahoma City and Minnesota. At least OKC was originally in Seattle, but Minnesota?

Sorry for completely hijacking this thread.

Where were you when I was taking Ghost Stories? :D

Well, well, well VandalSquirrel – I have been a kindred spirit with you on the whole Boise State thing and then you do this…..stab me in the back by throwing my Zags under the bus and lumping them with that bunch. It’s like bombing Pearl Harbor – now I have no choice but to declare war on you and your Vandal tribe! :p

From my point of view, which I’ve arbitrarily decided is the only one that counts :D, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Arizona and Idaho are western states but not west coast states. West coast states are states that border the Pacific which would be California, Oregon, and Washington. Yes, I know there are people living all over the Midwest, South, and East Coast who are completely unaware that any state other than California borders the Pacific Coast, but there are actually two more of them.

Eastern Washington and Eastern Oregon are a thing unto themselves in that they don’t really share the personality, culture, politics of the west (wet) sides of their states and seem to feel more affinity for the western states particularly Idaho and Montana – at least in the case of Eastern Washington. I know, thinking about that last sentence can leave one wondering which way is up (or at least east or west) and make one dizzy, but nonetheless – I stand by it.

On the clothing issue(given that I am too old to offer anything valuable on the topic) – daughter felt that girls dressed up more at WSU, at least to go out at nights, than they do at UO where things, she thinks, are somewhat more casual. She often bemoans the fact that girls at UO seem to prefer the “natural” (no make up/nothing done to hair) look which she feels many of them can not adequately pull off- at least not to the degree they think they can. She thought UW was somewhere in between the two – dressier than UO but not as much as WSU. OSU – who knows. Never bothered paying attention to them – for any reason. ;)

Lastly …..seriously. The cheese comes up in yet another thread???!!! Every time this happens my best friend gets one more “I told you so” point. I really HATE being wrong. :(

Oh no no no, I wasn't insulting the Zags, but using them as a comparison. The Zags are really good at basketball, much like BSU is known for football, whereas the Vandals are good at neither and are non-threatening. My one and only issue with the Bulldogs was allowing Adam Morrison's creepy mustache to get so much air time in 2006.

Most people don't realize that Idaho has two state capitals, Spokane and Salt Lake City. I'm not sure of the exact defining line, but I'd say it is the Idaho/Valley county line. Poor Idaho County has the Pacific/Mountain timezone running through it, I have no idea why it isn't just moved to the county line instead of the Salmon River so people in a county can live in the same time zone.

Both the cheese and the ice cream were discussed at my League of Women Voters Celebration dinner party tonight, we take our agricultural products so seriously a majority of my meat is Vandal Brand Meat I can buy on campus.