Pastry Student Trying to Rush at UT!
 

Delete

It's great that you are so accomplished.

Here are some things to think about:

1. Members may look at the fact that you own a business and think "How does she have time for a sorority?" A sorority at a school like UT is easily a 30 hour per week commitment depending on the time of year, especially for a new member.

2. We can't downplay the importance of KNOWING sorority members. Going into recruitment as a non-freshman is difficult enough. Going in knowing NO sorority members is even harder. Many PNMs of your class standing will know tons of sorority members from HS, camp, sports, etc. Sorority members meet HUNDREDS of girls every day of recruitment. You want sorority members to be able to say "oh I know her from ______." when discussing PNMs. When you know no one, there ARE chapters who will cut you straight away at the first opportunity because well, no one had a clue of who you were and there were women they knew who they wanted to come back over you.

3. You need recs! I find it surprising that you want to be Greek at a school like UT but have no recs. Nowhere in your post did you mention recs. The UT Panhellenic site says outright that you will have difficulty in recruitment without them. Every other PNM in recruitment will have at least one (or even 2-3 for each chapter.) They're not really as optional as people make them out to be. They're standard. Kind of like how everyone applying to work at a law firm has a law degree. You can't even get a foot in the door without the appropriate letters of reference/recommendations for each chapter on campus.

4. I know you don't want to hear this, but we can't say for sure whether you'll get a bid. However, let me be the first to tell you that you are going to have a rough time as a non-freshman with zero recs and knowing no one in a sorority at a place like UT. Your grades and the fact that you have a pastry degree are not really going to make up for that, as every girl in UT recruitment has great grades and tons of campus involvement.

She doesn't have recommendations because she isn't going to be rushing or a student at UT for an entire year. Her family members may not have been Greek at schools where recommendations were needed and therefore didn't tell her about them.

I think your age will handicap you.

I had never heard of recs until looking into UT sororities, I don't think it is common at the universities I grew up around. I have at least 7 different family members I can think of who are a part of different sororities.

Mother-Gamma Phi Betta
Sister- Alpha Phi (Currently Enrolled Junior)
Cousin- Delta Gamma (Currently Enrolled Sophomore)
Aunt- Delta Delta Delta
Aunt- Phi Beta Phi
Aunt- Kappa Alpha Theta
Aunt- Alpha Chi Omega
Grandma- Kappa Kappa Gamma

Those are the women I can think of off the top of my head. The universities they went to were: University of Idaho, University of Montana, University of Nevada, and Washington State University.

Would I only be a Gamma Phi Beta legacy? They don't have that at UT.

I was worried about that. I graduated high school right after I turned 17, so I was hoping being the youngest in my class would eventually help me out somewhere.:) Isn't it typical for a sophomore in college to be 19 or 20?

You would also be a legacy of your sister (Alpha Phi) and your grandmother
(Kappa Kappa Gamma)

But you should also have all your greek connections send recommendations and ask them if they have friends/acquaintances in other groups that would write recommendations for you.

With the small business it definitely does take my time, but for girls who have many extracurricular activities, are they not viewed the same way? Or does the sorority know the new member will make greek life a priority over any other activities they have?

I can see how not knowing anybody in Texas is a real disadvantage. I usually feel really confident and comfortable in situation where I don't know anyone, and can create conversations and make acquaintances/friends quickly. That doesn't compare to knowing someone for years though. In Washington the greek life seems to be about not knowing anyone at a new school and then rushing and getting to know a big group of girls you've never met or have very few connections with.

A lot of women in my family are a part of sororities. They didn't have to have recs at the schools they went to, but I am sure they would write me some great letters. I will research that more, but I feel confident I know enough women that would write me great letters, at least one from each house if not two.

I'm starting to understand that it's really unlikely for me to get a bid, but I will at least give it a try and hope for the best.
Thanks for your advice :)

Owning your own business is very very very different from being in an extracurricular activity. Your own money and name are on the line and you're going to act accordingly.

You are not considered a legacy for Kappa Alpha Theta. However, certainly have your Theta aunt write you a rec!

I suggest you go to UT and get a feel for Greek life this first year. Keep your grades up (you aspire to a 3.8 as you say) and make lots of friends. You are talking about something happening in August 2016 which is more than a year away. A lot could happen in that time.

LadyLonghorn may or may not be around any more - she may or may not comment on this thread. I believe that there is an OPTION for upper classman quota but don't hold me to that. Please. Regardless, understand that because it is an OPTION does not mean that every sorority will use it.

I guess it’s time for a special guest appearance on Greekchat. I’ve never been able to turn down a request from an old friend. Thanks for the love and heads up. ;)

This isn’t your sister’s/mom’s/aunt’s/cousin’s recruitment. UT Greek life is very traditional and its recruitment is cutthroat. I don’t see your story, no matter how commendable, as being looked upon as something that makes you more desirable. Like others mentioned, if anything it might have the opposite effect. How in the world can this person balance running a business with sorority commitments, school and other involvement requirements?

Since UT admissions are so difficult, you are competing with PNMs with extraordinary qualifications; perfect GPAs and waist deep in extracurriculars, awards and honors. Just about everyone has them, so unless you’ve cured cancer between solving world hunger and bringing peace to the middle east, they don’t make you stand out the way they would at many schools. Almost all of them will be from Texas and known to sorority members too since the UT out-of-state undergrad population is relatively small. That will also create a disadvantage. This is where the almighty much talked about “connections” come into play.

There is a small and separate non-freshman quota. Not all chapters use it and not all chapters fully utilize it. It's up to each chapter's discretion. Historically, those who receive bids under that quota are PNMs already known to sorority members and have those members pulling for them in the house. Those connections are critical and are usually due to them being known from home towns/high schools/camps etc. or from forging deep and legitimate friendships during freshman year at Texas. Your being from out of state and not having the benefit of attending UT with the opportunity to meet and form relationships with sorority members during your first year puts you at a huge disadvantage. To be honest, so does your age. Again, it’s a very traditional Greek system.

You must, and I can’t stress this enough, have at least one letter of support or recommendation per chapter. More than one is better. The vast majority of chapters at UT will drop you right after open house round without it. Make sure all your relatives submit them to those chapters and definitely make sure those relatives that make you a legacy submit that paperwork. Legacy status is very important for many chapters at UT. It won’t get you a bid, but it can help keep you around a little longer so you have the opportunity to make a good impression.

Be honest with yourself too. It sounds like you’ve been out on your own and making a go of it for a couple of years. Are you really ready to bond with a bunch of 18 and 19 year olds fresh out of high school? Also, some chapters have live-in requirements. Will you be down with that and all its restrictions and requirements as a 21 or 22 year old? The expense is also a big factor. We have huge houses to maintain and lots of social commitments as well as incidentals that add up like clothing, going out with sisters, Big/Little gifts, fines etc. It’s a big chunk of change plus a lot of constant smaller costs.

Another thing you should be made aware of is admission to McCombs is extremely competitive. A 3.8 GPA community college transfer may not cut it. It is also a rigorous program, and it will be very demanding of your time. Balancing your school work, business and sorority responsibilities will take an exceptional amount of work and dedication. I think most people can predict which one would fall by the wayside fastest.

So while it isn’t impossible, it will be an uphill battle. I say sign up for recruitment and see how it works out. Make sure to get all your recommendations and legacy introductions in order. Go in with a positive attitude and most importantly an extremely open mind. Be honest with yourself that this is what you want to do. You will never know and will always have doubts if you don’t go through recruitment.

I would also suggest that you delete this post and all identifying information. There are many UT sorority members who check out this site although they aren’t active contributors. Things have gone sideways for PNMs because of what’s been said or misconstrued here. You want to have the best chance of success and not be identifiable as “that pastry girl from Greekchat.”

Honest question...how badly do you want to be Greek?

She's going to community college for her first year I think. So she won't be at UT until right before recruitment 2016.

Pro tip: if you do edit posts remember to politely ask posters who quoted or said identifying information about you to edit it out.

yes I know - look at what I wrote - I referenced August 2016. ;)

Not enough coffee this morning, eh? :p

As for your first question - she may *think* she wants to be Greek, look at the family members who've been Greek. That's why I recommended checking things out during her first year at UT.

University is a world of difference from culinary school. They are different in most every way imaginable.

You are assuming that UT will admit you, and I think that is a faulty assumption. When the time comes, apply to a number of four-year colleges. When you know where you have been admitted, and have had a chance to evaluate the various financial aid packages, make your selection and *then* worry about sorority recruitment.

UT is a difficult university in which to get admitted, even for in-state students. The current overall admission rate is about 40%. Out of state students comprise only 7% of the campus population. The UT sorority recruitment has long been considered one of the toughest in the country.

I would make 1 of the other schools to which you apply be UCLA. Your resume would be well-suited there (from knowing a high level person in UCLA admissions). Plus if you get into Anderson school of business (graduate program), that is extremely desirable (3% who apply get in, and being a UCLA grad helps).
Best part is, UCLA's upper-class quota for Recruitment is one THIRD of the total new member class! (And your resume would be well-suited for UCLA Recruitment.) ; )

I'm disappointed by everyone who has told OP that her business actually reduces her chances. Isn't part of being in sorority about leadership, time management, and networking. By owning her own small business OP has shown she has all those traits in spades. Why would you discourage someone who is a good role model for being a student entrepreneur from taking part in a sorority????

Because owning and running a small business takes a LOT of time, more so than even a varsity sport I might argue. My little brother owns his own business and is looking to expand, and it is easily a full-time job for him. As much as I want him to go Greek at the school he's transferring to I seriously doubt he will have the time. A business can't be put on hold for sorority events, and if sorority members think a PNM won't have enough time to commit to the sorority then they won't give her a bid, plain and simple.

Also OP you should probably delete your comments from the reddit thread you made in /r/sororities where we gave you the same advice you got here. If you were hoping to get more optimistic answers from us here you were sorely mistaken.

ilove2shop247 - did you read LadyLonghorn's post? Are you familiar with UT recruitment and the Greek system there?

Not being snarky or mean - simply redirecting your focus. Are you yourself in a sorority or are you a sorority alumna?

I just read the reddit thread. It looks like the responses there were much more optimistic. A girl that is ACTUALLY in UT even wrote (in reference to owning a small business)

"3) We LOVE girls with special talents. Love. I may have done some creeping, and I saw your cakes. You are amazing. Like I am speechless because I love to bake and I am so jealous. (.... sorry, that was weird) Ok anyway. Specific example: DG has Desserts with DG twice a year, where we buy/make desserts to sell to raise money for our philanthropy. Having the ability to bake beautiful pastries for something like that would totally be to your advantage. Plus, we all love food. Like I don't know a single girl from any sorority that would be unhappy receiving a baked good."

OP wrote that she has a small business on the side. I doubt she would consider joining a sorority if it would she want to jeopardize her existing business. I'm sure she is the best judge of if she can handle the time management and took that into consideration before she posted.

Listen its one thing to try and prognosticate the what ifs. No one is discrediting the OP for owning her own business. I think that's great at a young age she's embarking on what looks like a promising path. The OP asked a question about greek life at the Univ. of Texas, and the panhellenic ladies here provided their insight, including one woman who is familiar with the greek system at UT. Its ultimately the OP's choice on what is best for her in the long term. She asked for insights and that's what was provided so no reason to throw shade at people who didn't give her a standing ovation.

Oh hey, you're in the reddit thread too, ay? :cool: (reddit is bascially the reason I'm never on GC anymore)

Hahaha you got me! I posted before I had had my java ;)

Reading your post again...that was the suggestion I was gonna make! Totally misread that.

If it's not a full time thing, I don't see why she couldn't join. I have a friend who makes cakes and cupcakes (mega talented--an artist), but she takes work on a free time/case by case basis and bakes at her home. That may be this poster's biz. Unless she has a shingle on a storefront, she can probably choose when she works. Most sorority girls would LOVE to have a pastry chef among their midst. ;) In fairness, I've not got gotten a true sense of how much time this takes out of her week.

"I'm blowing some sunshine, oh oh, I'm blowing some sunshine, oh oh..." ( sung to the tune of I'm walking on sunshine). For those who think we are just a bunch of meanies, please reread Ladylonghorn's post. She is very knowledgable about UTexas recruitment and the OP needs to understand what she might be up against. There are other colleges where her age and time commitment to her business would not be a potential obstacle, but UT is probably not one of them.

Like I said... and thank you for reiterating the point.

still wondering if the "ilovetoshop247" poster is either an active or an alumna. OR is a PNM. Hello? did you see my question? Or are you ignoring me?

The OP is getting advice from both actives and alumnae here, and I can't speak to the single poster on reddit who was encouraging. Others who attend(ed) UT and responded were pretty much saying what we GC meanie beyotches are saying.

It's TEXAS for the love of Mike. Those in the know - know that says it all. Thanks, LadyLonghorn, for responding. Nice to hear from you, as always. Sorry if your advice is falling on deaf ears. *shrug*

I saw the title as "Pasty Student . . ." and thought, "Hey! Just because she doesn't have a tan doesn't mean she won't do well!" #middleagedeyesightproblems

I totally read the title as "Party" and when I got through the quoted OP I was like why hasn't she mentioned partying :eek::confused:

I also saw that post- haha, greekchatter's are always everywhere :)

So much this. It could possibly work out at another school. Not likely at UT. Not a mean thing, just a fact of the culture at that campus. A few women responding positively on a reddit thread do not equal an informed response from an entire panhellenic community, much less could they even be counted as representative of the overall opinions held by those commenters' chapters. When people say it is a traditional greek community, they're really saying the process is still pretty old school in comparison to many other campuses.

But, but,she would bring sweets! And chocolate, on "those baaad days". I would definitely want her for my Sorority Sister; she could be my roommate!

They really are! I was searching online for information about a medical condition that my SO has, and I found Titchou on a health-related discussion board.

Yes!