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Supersize recruitment!!
I have been lurking on here for a while and finally decided to post my story. My story may not be like others you have read, but I hope it will be interesting. I wanted to share my experience so maybe other girls can learn something from it (especially for rushing at a big, competitive university!). I went to a big state school where rush is very competitive. There were 20 sororities at the time which I will use countries for code names. Anyone interested? If not, I won't continue.
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Definitely interested! We love reading recruitment stories and I personally am a fan of the retro ones, myself.
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Yep, bring it!
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Ok so here is the first part: the whole thing is really long, but I will try to do it all within a few days so that its easier to follow along. The 20 sororities are:
Switzerland Spain France Germany England Russia Australia Hungary Romania Mexico Canada Greece Poland Iceland Greenland South Africa Argentina Italy Guatemala Netherlands So rush started in December and the first round took place over two days. It was exhausting, 10 houses a day, but fun too. The first round we traveled with our rho gamma groups to each house. I don’t remember everything a lot of details from rush because it was a few years ago, but my first house that day was the Netherlands. I don’t remember the order after that, but things that stuck out: Spain was my legacy house and I really liked them, England was really sweet but I felt like they were trying too hard to get me to like them, a girl that rushed me even said “I could so see you in England” which their not supposed to say. Italy and Mexico had the prettiest houses and Italy is supposed to be the top house, but I didn’t really like them. Hungary didn’t have their house so we met them in a building on campus, they were a brand new-colony at this time and I tried not to let them sway my opinion, but to be honest I could tell I didn’t want to be in them. At Australia, I remember zoning out and I had to be like sorry, what? To the girl rushing me. I remember thinking that I wasn’t going to be invited back there. Greece was everyone’s favorite house-nice girls, and great house. They had to make some heavy cuts because everyone ranked them high. My last house of round 1 was Greenland and I don’t really remember much about them because I was so exhausted, but their known for being really smart and they always are in the top for GPA. |
Round 2 started after winter break (we had to come back a week early for rush before school started). Lots of cuts were made for GPA. I had a fairly good GPA, way above the minimum required so I wasn’t too worried about it. Round 2 was 14 party -spread out over two days. I got 8 houses back:
Spain Germany England Hungary Romania South Africa Argentina Guatemala This was skit day so we got to see a skit by each house. Spain: Legacy chapter. I was really happy to go back because I really had liked these girls and felt a connection with them. Germany: I was surprised they had invited me back because I hadn’t felt like I made a connection with the girls rushing me, but this time I really connected with the girls I talked to and loved their skit! England: This was the house that had the girl that told me I was so an England. I didn’t let that affect me and realized she was just nervous and wanted me to like her house. The girl who rushed me this time was so nice and we connected so much! Hungary: The chapter with no house, I really wanted to like them, but I knew I wanted to live in one of those big pretty houses that all the other chapters had. They were nice though, a little too eager, but nice. Romania: I loved this house! Their skit was so cute and funny and I could see myself really fitting in with Romania. South Africa: I really liked them again too. I was double rushed this round, but I connected well with the rusher and the other PNM. I also thought their skit was the best out of them all. Argentina: Their house is gorgeous and I really loved the girls I talked too Guatemala: Loved them. A lot of girls in this house are in my major and we really connected. I was sad to leave this house. After the second day of 14 party, we had to rank our top 8. Since I only had 8, I just ranked them all top to bottom My list was: Guatemala Romania Spain Argentina South Africa Germany England Hungary |
I love how every one of us knows EXACTLY which school. There are some schools that are unique in their rush process and number of chapters. No need for anonymity on that point (but far be it from to do the outing).
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The username doesn't quite leave room for anonymity either
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The next day was 8 party which took place all in one day. I got back: Spain South Africa England Hungary I was sad not to have Guatemala and Romania back because I had loved them and felt like (especially at Guatemala) that they had loved me too. This round was philanthropy and we learned about each chapter’s philanthropy. The order of my parties was: Hungary: I really liked their philanthropy, but still had my heart set on a chapter with a house so I wasn’t too excited about them overall Spain: Still really liked them a lot England: Really liked them. The girls I talked to were really nice and you could tell they loved their chapter. Also really liked their philanthropy. South Africa: Loved them again. The girls I have met so far in here are awesome and I really connected with them. I could seem myself fitting in well with this group After that day was over, I ranked them: South Africa Spain England Hungary |
:) I was debating to even comment about the school but figured I would not be the first in this tread. No worries hoosieral!! I'm enjoying your story!!!
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The next night was pref night where we could go to a maximum of three parties. I got back:
England Hungary At first I was really hurt that Spain had cut me, but after giving it more thought I realized I more wanted to be a Spain because a lot of my relatives and family friends were in Spain, but Spain here wouldn’t have been a good fit for me. And I was really crushed about not getting back South Africa! I had really connected with them and it certainly felt like they were feeling the same. However, they had invited a ton of girls back for eight party so they had to do major cuts before pref. I decided to keep my chin up and continue on with pref and give England and Hungary more of a chance. England was first and their ceremony was so sweet and touching. I realized these girls really cared about each other and weren’t putting on appearances. They had a tight sisterhood. We only talked to on girl this round and I ended up with a girl I had talked to at previous parties and really liked. She was so sweet and made me feel like England really wanted me. Hungary was last and their ceremony was also really touching and sweet. I was surprised at how close they all seemed even though they had just colonized this year. They really cared about making Hungary the best chapter it could be. When ranking, I put England first and Hungary seconded. I would have been happy with a bid from either, but I really would have preferred to live in a house than not to. |
Looking forward to hearing the ending!
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Bid day was the next day and it was also the first day of second semester! I guarantee all of us PNMS were not even thinking about our new classes, we just wanted to get our bids! Finally, after what seemed like the longest day in history, it was time. I really do not like how they gave out bids and I hope the system will change. We waited in our dorm rooms and our rho gamma would come in and either give us a bid… or not. There was one rho gamma for each dorm floor so it wasn’t like they had to run all around handing out bids, but since they weren’t all handed out at the same time, some girls would be screaming with joy while others had to wait in agony to find out their fate. Worse yet some girls would have no bid and be crying while girls around them were happily celebrating. I personally think the ones that didn’t get bids should have been notified earlier so they would have known not to expect anything.
Finally… my rho gamma came into my room…........... “I’m sorry to tell you, I don’t have a bid for you today,” she said. I was in shock. Not even Hungary wanted me, I was thinking and England, they loved me, what happened?? In total around 800 girls didn’t get bids. Some were because they had dropped early in the process, some were grades and others like me, there was just no explanation for it. I will never know what Hungary and England were thinking, but to this day I wondered what would have happened if I had ranked them higher in the beginning. I didn’t give them a chance at first, which I really regret because I was buying into the idea of what everyone else wanted. Indiana uses a unique bed quota system, which mean the pledge classes will only be as big as how many beds they have available. Most houses have a live-in requirement for sophomores and juniors and some for seniors too. Italy and Greece make seniors live in too so their pledge classes are always smaller than everyone else. Quota for all the other chapters is around 40. And while there are 20 sororities, over 1700 girls rush so it is very competitive. |
Didn't see that coming... Sorry hoosieral.
I hope there is more to this story involving COB or a 2nd try at FR. |
oh no...this is not the ending I was expecting. Is there more to the story?
I know very little about this school's recruitment process but how does quota work for the group without a house yet? |
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ETA: I just returned home from this campus! :-) |
Hot damn! 20 sororities? 6 more they have the entire Panhellenic Council!
But i'm sad this story didn't end well. Are you doing COB, hoosieral? |
Don't get me started about the recruitment process at this school. It's beyond ridiculous.
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So, maybe I'm beating a dead horse, but why haven't the HQs of the 20 sororities raised holy hell about this? I understand you want to have nice full houses, but it doesn't seem like that would be hard to do, even without "bed quota".
Am I missing something? |
What I need help understanding is, not only the point Bravemaroon brings up, but this...why hasn't NPC stepped in to balance this environment so that more PNMs can be placed. I was shocked that nearly half of the girls who signed up for recruitment did not match. (I realize many women drop during the process). NPC set the precident this year by intervening at Arkansas...can we hope Indiana could be next? Could you imagine how much more vibrant the IU greek community would be if chapters could grow in size to match the interest in being greek. IM just glad my own daughter had no interest in IU...I would have had grey hair for sure?
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NPC jumped in at Arkansas because Arkansas requested the assistance. You have to want to change. NPC can't force change. It is a group based on Unanimous Agreements. That means all the groups at Indiana would have to agree to change from bed rush for NPC to do anything about it. The HQs haven't done anything, I'm sure, because alumnae of these chapters would kick up holy hell. The chapters are also strong and from an organizational standpoint, I'd bet they look at it as a "Why fix what isn't broken" situation. They have great demand for their product. Why would they change? The bad publicity hasn't reached a point to force change. It's only a matter of time before the IU administration will have enough. Expansion will only help so much. They'll reach a tipping point then we'll see change.
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^^^. What Southernbuff said and one step more.....does IU as an institution care or see the implication? All things considered, my daughter looked at UK and IU as relatively equal and was 50/50 choosing one. Being Greek was very important to her and GC provided us information that wasn't exactly clear when we visited Bloomington(i.e. bed #'s). She chose UK because she didn't want the stress of the IU recruitment process. (she did not chose a university for greek matters alone, truly all else was equal). So IU missed out on a 4.0 student, active in student government who will be a loyal UK alum forever.
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Southernbuff....yes, agree with all of your points and be glad your daughter didn't go to IU and rush....my step daughter did and I was a nervous wreck. Thank goodness it turned out well for her but it didn't for many on her floor. I was just so sad about it. Here is a link I happen to stumble upon before she rushed last year that pretty much lays out the debates, etc. Some of their problem, it seems, is that girls don't want to join the "awkward" chapters (another rant for another time!) but that isn't their only problem. I am sure IndianaSigKap knows A LOT about this history of this campus and could add a lot. http://sororityparents.com/2011/01/s...y_bloomington/ |
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No, I don't think they care. Maybe some of the staff in the Greek Life office because they can see the big picture. But I don't think their Panhel cares one bit. They have their system, they like how it runs and they see no reason to change. |
This is to my point, Pinot...and add to that the research that has been done on levels loyalty and generousity alumni are to their institutions, especially those who are greek. Seems like Indiana would be interested. I used to work in development at a large southwestern university and those Greek men and women alumni not only raised money for their chapters, philanthropies and housing boards but would challenge each other to increase participation and dollars raised for the university. You better believe the university embraces those groups and encourages growth.
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I actually think the addition of the two unhoused chapters is the beginning of the change at IU. The culture has been very focused on living in so as there are chapters where all the women live out and it works, the others may also become less "live-in" focused.
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I hope you are right...change is slow. Sadly, my girl from last year told she and everyone on her floor always ranked those two last because they wanted to live in a house. Now, apparently SOMEONE is ranking them since they seem to be doing really well. I hope they continue to shine....I so worry that once the colonizing phase has worn off if they will be able to compete over the long term without a house. But, maybe the student population is changing too and having an option to join and live out will be provide a broader range of options. And I am all for that. Just so no one misunderstands, I WANT these two unhoused chapters to be wildly successful! |
I'm sorry to disappoint you all, I know that wasn't the ending you were all expecting! I appreciate all the kind words and support. I do sometimes think that I should have researched more about Greek life before deciding on a college so I would have known what is was in for, but theres nothing I can do about it now so I try not to dwell about it too much.
So what happened next you might wonder? There was no Cob because every chapter made either quota either on bid day or through snap bids. I think only about two chapters gave out snap bids. When I rushed Hungary was the only un-housed chapter, but since then another one has been added and I think there are plans for even more. I did not participate in RFM again. I thought about trying again, but ultimately decided I couldn't go through all of that again. It is also harder for sophomores to get bids (some chapters won't even take sophomores), but I know a few who rushed again and ended up in a chapter that they love. I got involved in other clubs and activities and am super busy and happy. i have some friends in sororities so I still can participate in all that fun stuff. |
All I can say is that SUCKS!
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Keep in mind that colonies do want all 4 years represented, so you would have a possibility there.
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Just remember that the chapters without houses have plans to get houses in the future so this is not a solution for IU to just add all the remaining NPC groups as unhoused chapters.
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NPC did not intervene at Arkansas. NPC was invited to help create a temporary solution. I do not see Indiana inviting the NPC to come in at any time in the future. I am sad, as a very proud alumna, that your daughter had no interest in Indiana. We have some high quality programs. Jacobs School of Music is considered the No. 1 music school in the country at a public university. The only music school considered on par with Jacobs is Julliard. Our Kelley School of Business, School of Journalism, School of Environment and Public Affairs are also considered among the nation's best. Our Hoosier Basketball team is fun to watch. And we do have quite the soccer team reigning NCAA champions! Every school in the Big Ten does offer its students a quality education on some beautiful campuses. (Had to get my Big Ten plug in there) :D Quote:
I do not know what will cause change or if it will ever occur. I do know that Indiana would like to be the first campus to have all 26 NPC chapters represented on campus. I believe they see adding chapters as the way to include more in women in the system Go IU. //climbing off the Hoosier soapbox now :o |
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Last year, the numbers each chapter picked for quota add up to 56% of the open house pool. If I understand it correctly, don't they choose quota before recruitment starts? So, one way or another, almost half those who registered wouldn't be placed, right? (I do know that some houses took over their quota number, but I'm guessing that is at the individual house's discretion.) I don't mean to be argumentative!! It just seems like the way this system is, we really can't fault the girls who drop out early, because ultimately quota wouldn't be any bigger than it is. |
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I was tailgating and we are near the infamous tailgating field. I can tell you as an adult, that some of the cutest girls I saw yesterday were from those "less desirable" chapters. And yes, the sorority women wear letters for tailgates (either tanks, fanny packs, hats, etc) don't get me started on that. There will be another new chapter colonizing in January. I think DPhiE will provide a great opportunity to place more women in the system. |
Another proud Hoosier greek alum to the rescue, IndianaSigKap!
Ultimately, we are the big 'special snowflake' of the greek world--and none of the actives want to change it. Looking at it from the alumnae perspective, I do think that houses (and mine has been working to do this) should be looking at taking more girls than can replace who graduated, but from the active perspective...that was the last thing we wanted. While I was an active, sure we all b*tched about having to live in and follow the 'no booze no boys' rules, but when it came down to it...I wouldn't have had it any other way. Until you change that mentality, you'll never change the numbers at IU. They simply don't want one year of living in the house like you do in the SEC/most other schools, we want 2-3. And don't even get me started on the glacial pace of tiers there...gag me. Haven't changed in YEARS. Movement within tiers happens, but moving between what is considered 'top' tier, middle tier, and bottom tier? You have a better shot at winning the Nobel Peace Prize. ETA: We do want all 26 NPC chapters at IU eventually--I think Panhel set a goal of like 2020 for that to happen? Something like that. DPhiE will be another good fit at IU provided they have the resources to support a chapter at a difficult campus. |
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