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My chances...and what would I call myself?

Your GPA is too low if it is under a 3.0; you have a 2.75 and you're "planning" on raising it to a 3.0 by the fall. That may not happen. Contact the university registrar to determine your year in school classification. You are classified by credit hours, and none of us has any idea how many credits you require to be considered a sophomore. It doesn't matter what you tell the sororities. They will verify your year in school with the university and classify you accordingly if you are still a freshman or if you have enough credits to be classified as a sophomore.

No one can tell you your chances. Go through recruitment and find out. If I were you, I'd be open to all 7 chapters. I personally don't predict a good outcome with your grades being so low. Your college GPA is what will be considered at this point, not your high school GPA.

my cousin recently joined a sorority at gsu

No. It's too low. There is a min GPA just to go through recruitment, apparently at your school a 2.5, and each individual sorority has a minimum GPA that must be met in order to receive a bid that is well above that minimum. Each chapter sets their own, and the chapter minimums may be far greater than even their own sorority national minimums. Even if a sorority has a 3.0 minimum (and I doubt their threshold is that low), you're competing against people with much better grades, so that will inflate who they actually take. The cutoff may end up being way higher than their minimum as a result.

I understand that you think you are capable of better, but there are tons of young ladies with 3.5's and 4.0's coming through recruitment. They have proven that they are capable of maintaining high grades, and you haven't. I'm sure you are a lovely person who would be a wonderful sorority member. But having solid academics are critical. If you are under a 3.0 now, how are you going to keep your grades up when you have tons of mandatory sorority obligations? Forget sororities: If you want to go to vet school especially, you need to work on your GPA significantly.

Work on your GPA and go through recruitment. Keep an open mind to ALL 7 CHAPTERS if you want to be part of a sorority. You are not going to have many options with your GPA where it is. Anticipate heavy cuts based on your GPA and be open to membership in every sorority that invites you back.

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Originally Posted by sigpi393 (Post 2204376)

my cousin recently joined a sorority at gsu

And the significance of that is..... what?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ngsu (Post 2204385)

Which one? What was her GPA when she went into it?

Her GPA has NOTHING to do with yours. It is only 1 of many criteria that sororities look at when deciding who to invite to membership.

adpiucf -Some curiosity questions:

1) Are you suggesting her gpa is too low for any campus or just this campus?
2) By too low do you mean she will get cut from all sororities or just face heavy cuts?
3) Is question 2 true for all campuses or just this campus?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ngsu (Post 2204382)

That's just weird to me...I know some girls who went through a summer program last year just for students who's SATs and GPAs weren't high enough to even be admitted to the school (it's called EIP) and they passed it and were admitted because of passing it, still able to rush in the fall, and get a bid. I thought even being open to 6/7 of the sororities was really good since I know a lot of girls go in with the mindset of just one or two.

Did they join NPCs? Or locals/multicultural/NPHC sororities?

According to your college website, EIP is a provisional acceptance for the fall class pending successful completion of college courses. So they were taking college courses which gave them a college GPA. Once you have a college GPA, that is what the sororities would be looking at. The HS GPA is irrelevant.

Good luck! I'm not sure why you came on Greek Chat to ask questions if you've already got your mind made up. I'm truly sorry what I'm telling you isn't what you want to hear.

It may not be too low for that campus.
I think Carnation may be able to help. She knows that school. Maybe she'll see this thread tomorrow.

It may not be too low, but is is borderline at best and she should simply prepare for the possibility that she's going to face cuts. I never said she has no chance. I simply said to expect the worst-case scenario. The NPC chapter average is about a 3.0, based on 2009-2011 figures available online, but that also takes into account people who are failing out as well as those on the dean's list. Historically, new members come in with higher GPAs. Therefore, I suggest that coming in with under a 3.0 is a concern at this school.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ngsu (Post 2204398)

I understand I'm facing cuts and that's okay, I know everyone goes through cuts. I just want to get a bid, that's all.

There is simply no way that we can possibly tell you the odds of your getting a bid. Our Magic Eight Ball is on the fritz.

We can't say. I'm sorry to tell you that, and I think adpiucf is being oddly more harsh than she usually is, but the fact is, we simply can't tell you. You meet the minimum requirement for entry into the process. That's all we can say. I say go for it, do what you can to get the best possible grades you can and work on the other elements of rush you can. Then let it go, be as enthusiastic (in a normal, not psychogirl way) as you can, accept the cuts you get with grace and dignity, and see what happens next. Then let us know how it goes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ngsu (Post 2204407)

It's understandable! I was just wondering. So GPA isn't everything though, right? What matters more, personality and looks or GPA?

I call troll. No one is this dense.

NGSU - First off, let me state that I know ZERO about your campus and my only knowledge of sororities has come from my daughter, her friends, and the people on this board who've given me lots of insight into a world I knew less than zero about before my daughter got interested in it.

I'm responding to your post because you situation sounded so similar to my daughter's and your first post sounded like one she could have easily written a few years back and I know how scared, confused and utterly clueless she was about the whole thing then....so I for one, don't think you're a troll, but I've been wrong before, so I'm not going to commit myself too fully on that.

My daughter went through her second recruitment as a junior by age and a sophomore by credits. She had a 2.8 gpa (not great - but she had a disasterous freshman year grade-wise, so she had to work hard to even get it to that point). Her school had what I would consider, based on what I've read here, a very average type of recruitment - not super competitive, not easy-breezy - just in the middle. There were 8 sororities and one colony at the time. I don't know how that compares to yours.

She went through with a lot of trepidation - scared to death. She didn't expect anything and she was VERY open minded. She didn't have a full schedule her 2nd day, but she had houses she liked and her favorite. She had disappointments and thought about dropping out at one point, but she stuck with it and ended up pledging her favorite.

None of this will help you know what your chances are unfortunately - I just wanted you to know, as the mother of a girl who was in a similar situation that as long as you're prepared for what could happen and stay open minded - you won't know unless you try.

She was a transfer, so she focused on telling them when she was going to graduate - she said she told them she would be class of 2012 but she was 20 years old. Sometimes she just gave them her age. Sometimes she told them she would be a fifth year since she was going to have to do that. She said that in one way it gave her a chance to talk a little about her situation without going into too much detail (in your case - I took some time because of some family issues that I felt were more important). It depended on what and how they asked. On her form she just listed the number of credits she had - I think, but she may have put sophomore because her school considered her a sophomore.

Also, be aware that you can send a letter to a chapter through the VP of Recruitment (at least that was the case on her campus) explaining your situation (she did) and it is sent to the recruitment chairs at the chapter. Whether or not they look at it, toss it, or consider it - who knows, but you might as well cover all of your basis.

The best place to find out the GPA requirements forthe chapters at your school is the Greek Life Office on your campus. The Greek Adviser can give you a lot more concrete advice and information than we can. Why don't you call (like on the phone not text or email) and make an appointment with him/her and get all your campus specific questions answered by someone in the know?

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna (Post 2204393)

It may not be too low for that campus.
I think Carnation may be able to help. She knows that school. Maybe she'll see this thread tomorrow.

A lot of girls get bids at Southern with that GPA. Whether you will, I don't know because there are so many factors that come into play.

This isn't like we're talking about UGa where all the freshmen come in with practically perfect averages.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ngsu (Post 2204369)

Hi there! I go to Georgia Southern University and I first of all just wanted to introduce myself. I go by "N" on here for privacy reasons of course, and I am SO excited to be able to rush in the fall. I just had a few questions:

We have 7 chapters at our school, and I would be happy to get a bid from 6 of them. There's nothing wrong with the 7th...I just have met some of those girls and feel like I wouldn't click or connect with them. Nothing wrong with it, just I don't think I'd feel like I fit in.

Second, I was there over the summer of 2012, ended with a 3.0. I went back the fall semester and it dropped to a 2.75 (I was under a lot of stress unrelated to school that couldn't be helped so I ended up not doing my best), and then I found out my dad lost his job so I had to withdraw from school and come home and work this semester. Thankfully he's gotten another job, and so I will be taking classes in the summer again and then rush in the fall.

As of right now I have 16 hours, and after the summer I'll have 28 at the most so I'll still be considered a freshman. I've seen the term "second semester freshman" on here, but I've been in 3 "semesters" so would I still technically call myself that? If asked, would it be okay for me to say "I'm technically still a freshman, I took a semester off to come home and work but took summer classes to make up for it" or would that be TMI? Will it lower my chances because I'll be nineteen and still "technically" a freshman even though I should be a sophomore? I know being a sophomore lowers the chances so will taking the semester off actually end up being a good thing even though it was under unfortunate circumstances? Also, I figured out if I got straight As in my summer classes I'm taking this summer (which won't be a problem) I could raise it to a 3.0. At GSU, after you've gotten 12 credit hours they start counting your college GPA instead of your high school, so they'll be using that. Should my GPA be a problem? Since I've only really been there one "real" semester I was only able to get involved in the Future Veterinarians of America club (I'm a pre-veterinary student) and that was it, and in high school I was very involved (ran track, was on student council, in the Spanish club, in the Key club...) but since I haven't been in high school in over a year by that point will that matter?

I know you guys probably get this ALL the time, but I'd just like to understand my chances of receiving a bid. I just don't want to get my hopes up and get let down, since I used to think EVERYONE got a bid and after browsing through this website I've read a lot of horror stories and now I'm a little worried! Haha

Thank you guys so much! I've been browsing this site a lot and it's extremely helpful and I'm excited to get involved and hopefully be able to share extremely good news with you guys once fall comes around! :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ngsu (Post 2204379)

Really? :( I know the minimum GPA to rush is a 2.50, so I felt like having a 3.0 would be pretty good. I know I can do way, way better, it's just a lot of personal things happened in the fall and I know they don't want/need to hear my life story or explain why I didn't get the best GPA. I'm a pre-veterinary student so of course my GPA needs to be really good, so whether I'm in a sorority or not I would have to raise it. I thought a 3.0 in college was pretty good..not incredible, but good enough that I would at least get a bid.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ngsu (Post 2204382)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ngsu (Post 2204385)

Which one? What was her GPA when she went into it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ngsu (Post 2204391)

So hypothetically speaking...if someone's GPA going into rush week is a 3.0 or even a 2.9, but they have an amazing personality, are able to click really well with sisters, is attractive and outgoing and makes a good impression, it could help overlook the lower GPA?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ngsu (Post 2204392)

She joined a PHA (I won't say the exact one but it was either Kappa Delta, Zeta Tau Alpha,or Kappa Kappa Gamma for example), but they still counted her high school GPA because EIP gave her 8 credit hours when you have to have 12 to be able to count your college GPA. I was asking her friend and she said her high school grades were "decent" but I'm not sure exactly what she meant by that.

And I'm mostly coming on here just to get some input and suggestions and possible encouragement. I really, really want to be in a sorority and find it to be something that's crucial to my development in the university and something I've always wanted.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ngsu (Post 2204396)

I know it's higher for SEC schools but since mine isn't I wouldn't see why a 3.0 is too low. I'm not trying to be rude or anything and I hope it's not coming off like that, I just am taken totally off guard. But I hope so! It would be helpful for someone that knows about the school and the Greek life here to be able to help since I'm sure they'll know more. I know there's a lot taken into consideration when someone is rushing, but I know GPA is also a really big deal.

So if I look my best, act my best, am friendly and energetic and outgoing and just do the best I can and connect with the girls during rush week, will it help even though my GPA is going to most likely be a 3.0? I heard from someone on here that you're pretty much set if your GPA is over a 3.0. I've never heard it's too low before but maybe I'm mistaken...

Quote:

Originally Posted by ngsu (Post 2204398)

I understand I'm facing cuts and that's okay, I know everyone goes through cuts. I just want to get a bid, that's all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ngsu (Post 2204400)

I understand you can't, but I've already been told my odds are against me because of my GPA (which I didn't think was that bad).

Quote:

Originally Posted by ngsu (Post 2204407)

It's understandable! I was just wondering. So GPA isn't everything though, right? What matters more, personality and looks or GPA?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ngsu (Post 2204410)

I'm not being dense. I've just started looking into sororities and I've heard many different things and so I came to this website to get things answered honestly. I was just told that if someone had a great personality (first post on this page) it would overlook their GPA not being as good. I've also been told by other people that some sororities barely pay attention to the GPA if they really like the person.

I'm sorry for being "dense" to try and get some questions answered on a website that is all about greek life. I didn't know I'd feel foolish trying to gain understanding of something that is obviously important to you all.

Anyway..I'll ask one more question. If I do rush in the fall and end up getting cut before bid day, can I still rush informally in the spring? I know there's a rule that if something happens you can't rush for a year, but I don't remember exactly what that is.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ngsu (Post 2204416)

This has helped me feel a lot better. How did she refer to herself? I'm still kind of confused on what type of freshman I should call myself, since I know I've seen "second semester freshman" thrown around but I would have taken 2 summer semesters (just for 4-5 weeks for both, but still a semester's course) and one "normal" 16 week semester. And in case it was missed, if I get totally cut before bid day could I rush informally in the spring or will I have to wait another year?

Thank you very much AXOmom! I can definitely feel for how your daughter felt but her result gives me some hope!

QFP, people, QFP!

And when you consider the responses from the OP, it appears that she is not listening and only wants us to tell her that she'll get a bid (e.g. her repetition of the GPA issue and her standing as either a freshman or a sophomore).

Good luck, OP, from a bunch of strangers on the Internet who have NO IDEA IF YOU WILL GET A BID.

Yes I'm annoyed. Nobody's perfect.

First of all, you have a 2.75 not a 3.0. Don't go counting your chickens before they have hatched. You might not do as well in school as you think, drop a class, etc. Plan on going through with what you have...a 2.75. You are still a second year freshman, and like AXOmom said, it would behoove you to let them know if you will be staying 4 more years or just 3 (3 more means you are technically a sophomore in their eyes.) A 2.75 (or 3.0) is not a great GPA, but many sororities look at a college GPA more leniently than HS, which is just a promise of future grades. That being said, expect cuts. Also, get that "I'll be open to 6/7 sororities on campus " crap out of your head. That is called being closed minded, and no, you are no better than the girls who are only open to 2/7. You might only be offered a bid to that one chapter, and throwing their bid back in their faces when they took a chance on you with your lackluster grades would be the height of hypocrisy. If you go through, be prepared to REALLY get to know the women of EVERY group and take ANY bid as the HONOR that it is meant to be.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AOII Angel (Post 2204439)

Well said AOPiA, and OP, you should most definitely heed this advice.

ngsu,

One perk of joining a sisterhood is that – years from now -- you can whack worried 18-year-olds online from a position of authority. It's a rush.

(kidding, sorta)

I don't know anything about recruitment at your school, but from what I have noticed while reading this forum, Carnation does, so her observation would reflect experience with your school:

Quote:

Originally Posted by carnation (Post 2204435)

A lot of girls get bids at Southern with that GPA. Whether you will, I don't know because there are so many factors that come into play.

The Greek Life office on your own campus may be able to help with some of your other questions (like class status when registering for recruitment). And of course reading the stickied general advice threads in this forum may help as well.

If you want to be Greek, the only way you are certain not to be is not to try. I would encourage you to try. Best wishes on a successful recruitment!

I know something about that campus - I don't know for sure if a 2.8 GPA will kill your chances of getting into a sorority but a GPA that low from GSU CAN kill your chances of getting into vet school so please think about what is going to be the best for your long term and career goals?

You don't even have a 3.0. You'll only have one if you get straight As in summer school and whatever you plan on getting in the classes you're taking now. It's pretty ridiculous to be even talking about you having a GPA that you don't even have.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hartofsec (Post 2204461)

If you want to be Greek, the only way you are certain not to be is not to try. I would encourage you to try. Best wishes on a successful recruitment!

Although Carnation's post was (as always) helpful, I think this is the best advice you're going to get, ngsu!

Also, just because I don't think it has been stated point blank:

The sororities have a minimum GPA. They have NO leeway on that minimum.

Now that minimum may be well below what they typically do accept so it may FEEL like leeway. Let me give an example with completely random numbers. ABC sorority's national minimum GPA is 2.5. ABC at Big State U has a working minimum GPA of 3.0. So super snowflake rushee comes in and is perfect in every way except she has a 2.75 GPA. They will have some leeway to accept her. But if super snowflake comes in with a GPA of 2.2, no, at least in my sorority's case, they would NOT have the leeway to accept her. And the thing with that leeway is in this day of RFM and having to make deep cuts, grades is a pretty easy, non-personal way to get it done. The chapters do not relish the cuts they have to make and I'm sure they know that among the long list of girls they cut there would be several who would have been great members. But RFM is good in the big picture, so you make the cuts and move on.

I can also tell you that losing members because they don't make grades sucks BIG TIME. And it happens all the time. So they're going to mitigate that eventuality the best they can. Without having access to psych evaluations and intelligence tests, the only way they have to gauge this risk is in past grade performance. So grades count. A lot. And yes, maybe more than looks or super special snowflake personality.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ngsu (Post 2204505)

I really do appreciate the help from everyone though, it's helped a lot. My last question is that if I rush in the fall and do not get a bid before bid day, can I rush again in the spring?

Yes you can. The only way you would not be allowed to re-rush would be if you got a bid and turned it down.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ngsu (Post 2204505)

I really do appreciate the help from everyone though, it's helped a lot. My last question is that if I rush in the fall and do not get a bid before bid day, can I rush again in the spring?

You don't get bids before bid day. You get them ON bid day. If you sign a bid card after pref listing your preferences, any bid you get from any of those groups is binding for a year, whether you go to their bid day events or not.