LSU RUSH
 

I am being nosey - sorry- but I am really interested in LSU rush. From all the posts I have seen here- it seems like the toughest around - can I get some idea from anyone who is there or heard about it - why is it so big and cut-throat? Thanks!

ISU_XO

I attend LSU and have been thur rush. I'd rather not post my thoughts about the LSU Greek System here on the message board,but you can feel feel to email me. My email addy is in my profile

i can not say that I have been through LSU formal rush. But I am in a sorority that does informal rush only. Sigma Alpha. Email me if you wanted to know some more info at mgomez1@lsu.edu

I don't know anything about LSU but I know that UGa rush was a real killer this year (lots of heavy and early cuts) and the University of Texas is supposed to be rough. My sister's friend's daughter hired a "rush consultant" to help her be fabulous (???) and the consultant is in big demand.This girl was a beautiful, rich one from a notable Houston family so I don't know why she was so worried about rush.

My (totally random) take on the situation...

A good friend of Mr. 33's moved to New Orleans a few years ago. He is originally from one of the more exclusive communities in the Western PA area, so it's not like he just crawled out of the backwoods. But he said the Society, capital "S" scene down there absolutely blew him away - he didn't believe the layers upon layers of social strata and the importance of being an "old" family. While LSU isn't in NO, I would bet a lot of women from NO go there. The Greek system is probably very connected to the social scene and there is a lot of importance on being in the "right" sorority.

Just my guess. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif

I am from Podunk, Alabama. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif Your comments remind me so much of my hometown. The social ranking was complicated (and pretty stupid). For instance, the Mayor is not originally from there, and the reason he was elected was that the "lower classes" voted him in. Naturally, he is not welcome in many gentle households. However, a judge who has connections back into antiquity is one of the gentry. The rankings within the "upper crust" change pretty much everyday and it is really hard to explain to someone not familiar with it.

There are "good" GLOs that the children from "good" families are supposed to join. Kappa Kappa Gamma and Sigma Nu (I think) are the big ones. Also, if you don't attend Alabama or Auburn, no one gives a damn (unless it is a private school - but that doesn't happen much because when these children are running the family business they are going to need to be able to communicate with the less educated). The only reason I went out for rush here was because they didn't have a Kappa chapter here. I know that is horrible, but I didn't want to be pressured (both my grandmother and aunt were Kappas) into pledging them.

Also, (and this is really crazy) if members of one family want the members of another family to "owe" them, then they will make sure that their son or daughter gets into their GLO. That ties them together and forms some sort of alliance.

And this is in a small town with only 15,000 people. There are maybe 5-10 top families. I can only imagine what it must have been like in New Orleans - they are a lot more rooted in tradition. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/eek.gif

Allie http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/tongue.gif

All I can say is that is amazing what the levels of social status that develop among communities with a bit of history and no significant or inspring real life tasks.

Some of these people have to put a down payment on a new life. Because if they have the time and energy to spend worrying about the subtle nuances of social etiquette, then they have entirely to much time on their hands!

The only altar of aristocracy that is justifiable of reverance is that of individual talent married to real life achievement.

But what do I know . . . I am just entirely to self-centered to categorize groups as cool or not cool based upon archaic social criteria or stereotypes.

It takes too much energy and detracts from quality me time. You actually have to individually impinge upon my awareness for me to like or dislike you. And chances are if you weren't a nice person I wouldn't pay enough attention to you to dislike you . . .
Again it takes to much energy.

But I'm just hopelessly self absorbed http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

James

Thanks everyone for the insight. Hiring a consultant to prep you for rush ... that is a new one!

Have you ever heard of the book "A Southern Belle Primer, or Why Princess Margaret Will Never Be a Kappa Kappa Gamma." Its a look at Southern life and customs. There is an entire chapter in it on Rush, and the lengths people go to for their daughters to be a Kappa, a XO, a Theta, or Pi Phi. It talks about how some mothers make their daughters go to schools that have less selective KKG chapters to pledge and be initiated, and then transfer to Auburn, LSU, UT, Ole Miss, etc.

And yes, the New Orleans social strata plays a big part in Rush at LSU. While a lot of the girls from the old line families don't attend LSU, the ones that do go KKG. Its just understood. If you read the debutante bios in the paper every August, you'll see that the girls for that season are all Kappas, and a few are XOs.

When I rushed, I was prepped by the mother of a friend who had rushed the year before. She sat me down and told me that I had a tiny chance of being accepted into certain chapters because of my hometown. She told me what was realistic to hope for. She also helped me figure out what to wear, told me the big no-nos (panty hose and open toed shoes), etc. Her daughter had been burned the year before, because she was a legacy to a chapter, and at pref, they promised her a bid, and then she didn't get one. I know a member of that chapter who denied that they dirty rush like that...but I believe it. I don't know why its so cutthroat, honestly. There are more than enough girls to fill the houses. But it seems that each chapter only wants the youngest, prettiest, perkiest girls in the easiest majors. The better sororities have more education majors as opposed to engineering majors - after all, gotta keep their GPA up...

Juniorgrrl, it is sooo funny that you mention that book=) My aunt gave it to me. I know a lot of people outside the South would say the contents of the book are exagerrated, but all of it is true. There are girls at my school who went here last semester, pledged and joined a sorority, and then transferred to a big school this semester. When it comes down to it, joining a sorority does have a lot to do with your family background and where you are from. Especially if you go to a Southern school.

Why does everybody make such a big deal about LSU rush? It can't be all that different from rush at other SEC schools... I go to one. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

Someone emailed me a very nice note and told me about that book too. I will def. pick it up!

someone told me that rush in the south was a very serious matter.. but i never believed it until i read that book. i think it is absolutely crazy the lengths people will go to (hire rush consultants) in order to get into the "elite" house... rush here in the north and the midwest is sooo much different.. i'm glad i don't live in the south where all of the pressure exisits http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

From what I understand, rush isn’t any different at other SEC schools than at LSU. It’s just that no one has talked about other SEC schools in awhile. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif

If you like the KKG book, you might also want to try Just As We Were-a Narrow Slice of Texas Womanhood by Prudence Mackintosh. The book contains part of an essay she wrote for Texas Monthly in 1979 about sorority life in the South, especially Texas.

She's a Kappa and she talks about the competition to get into the "Big 6" at Texas.
I've been meaning to order it and I just checked--it's available at www.bibliofind.com. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

May i ask.. who are the "Big 6" at Texas?

Hootie--Congratulations! You are so needed as moderator! Keep 'em all in line!

As for the Big 6 at UT--this was in the original Texas Monthly article and also what I've heard from scads of UT Greeks so I don't want any flames! They were listed in this order:

Pi Phi
Kappa
Theta
Chi O
Tri Delta
Zeta

A lot of it may have to do with the sororities' ages, since Pi Phi is the oldest group there.

If I had to hire a consultant to go through rush and teach me how to "act" a certain way, I don't think I'd want to bother http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif But I guess that's why in the northeast, being greek ain't a big deal!

I did not want to make LSU look bad at all- just from recents posts I've read- I've really felt sad for what the girls have gone thru. I went to a state school and rush was the most non-pressure, non-stressful thing for me (and believe me-I'm the most average down to earth thing you'll ever meet) - I just think it is neat to learn about other cultures and how each state goes about the greek system and rush. Hope I did not offend anyone from LSU http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

A "rush consultant"? Like a bridal consultant? I'm sorry y'all but WTF? http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/eek.gif

Here's that book, if you are interested:
[img] http://www.chapters.ca/Covers/667/0385416679.gif [/img]

Okay, here are some quotes from the Texas Monthly article--not from me!

Pi Beta Phi-A Pi Phi is usually at home wearing gold dinner ings at the age of 18, a gold bangle bracelet, a pair of simple gold hoops, and a sporty but chic stainless and gold Rolex.Pi Phis don't have to flaunt what they've got. When you've got everything-money, a good name, good looks, and status-what's the point?

Kappa Kappa Gamma-She too is from an old established family; she was probably a debutante from San Antonio, Dallas, or Houston; and the points she racks up in her sorority prepare her for the point system she'll labor under to make Junior League.

Kappa Alpha Theta-Being a Theta isn't like being a Pi Phi or Kappa and that's the problem: a Theta isn't a Pi Phi or Kappa. Still, it has its consolations. Thetas get to be a little more demonstrative, what you call kissy-huggy. Don't think a Theta can't stand up to a Pi Phi or Kappa; she did, after all, go to Camp Waldemar with the best of them and she traveled to Europe. She's still in the running!

Delta Delta Delta-When you look at Farrah Fawcett, you get a refined idea of what it's like to be a Tri Delt.The Tri Delta you find at a party with her perfect makeup, perfect hair, and perfect outfit invested approximately three hours' work in all that perfection.

Chi Omega-The ladies of Chi O are sweet and a little reserved, but they are closet dazzlers.The Chi O house shelters fewer true beauties than the Tri Delta house but neither is in the top 3 scholastically. The Chi Os can play just as rough as the next girl in the status game but a glimpse at the parking lot will show you that they're not the top contenders in this field either.

Zeta Tau Alpha- Zetas do try harder. Lack of effort is not why a Zeta isn't a Pi Phi.Let no one say that the Zetas don't have a look of their own. They do. Does this girl exude satisfaction with her position in life? Does she shun heavy makeup, secure in the knowledge that she has enough going for her that she can afford a perfectly natural look? Does this woman look like a Pi Phi? To her everlasting credit, she does not, and-bless her heart for trying-she never will.


Like I said--not my opinions! But the accompanying Prudence Mackintosh article is hilarious; I don't see a month or year on it but you could look up "Sisterhood is Powerful" and "That Certain Look" on the Texas Monthly website, I'll bet.

I went to school in Texas in the 70's and never heard of a rush consultant. When did this custom emerge? I would be interested in knowing the history and even having some websites regarding it, if only for amusement. I hate the idea that someone has to go through all of that to get pledged.
Regarding the Southern Belle Primer...I own it and it is strictly humor..a fun thing that rings of the truth...

Carnation, we seemed to post at the same time or I would not have posted twice in succession. I remember reading these articles by Prudence Mackintosh when I was a young single in Houston (I'm dating myself I know they were the late 70's). There was one that showed pictures, a prototype of each, if you will. When I tried to get into the Texas Monthly archives I was informed you need to be a subscriber. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/frown.gif

wow.. those prototypes are way too funny :-) i say to each her own...!

I remember seeing a book called "Rush: A guide to Sorority Success" or something along those lines. It was authored by a former ZTA rush captain at UT. Some of it was standard stuff but some of it frightened little northern me http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/eek.gif.

ZTA is HUGE in Texas. Our annual State Day usually draws around 700-900 members and takes place over 2 days. It's the largest ZTA day in the country - attendance is equal to or larger than our biennial conventions.

Barbara

are those 6 supposed to be considered the most desirable to "girls from families"? or are they just the oldest? what are the different "personalities" of those six chapters at texas?

If this is how heavy the pressure of rush can get, I feel it necessary to reference this thread: http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/...ML/000184.html
"NPC Rush at "bigger schools" and therapy"

yes, the books do indeed exist!
A search under amazon.com yielded these 2 beauties:

1) Ready for Rush : The Must-Have Manual for Sorority Rushees!
by Bonnie Thornton & Debbie Thornton

2) Rush : A Girl's Guide to Sorority Success
by Margaret Ann Rose

just wondering... what are considered the top fraternities at UT?

I was wondering about LSU- if you don't mind answering this, what are the "personalities" of the sororities there? Which are the hardest to get into? It is such a shock to hear about how competitive rush is in the south.

I WANT THAT BOOK! Being a real Southern Belle (ha ha ha) and being here in RI is getting hard...I need to brush up on my skills! I know Kappa is big everywhere.

Here's a question to those who are "in the know": since UT is so big, with a huge Greek system, are there many houses that don't make quota? For example, I know the AXO chapter is HUGE at UT, but it's not considered one of the "Big 6".

While we're talking about Rush (recruitment) at LSU, let's talk about Rush at OLE MISS!! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

Is it the same there as it is here? http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif

In regards to Ole Miss Rush...all I have to say is "Ohhhhh myyyyy Looooooooorrrrd."

So, AlphaGamGirl, would you say that rush at Ole Miss is worse than at LSU?? lol

As a Southern belle from Georgia, believe me when I say the "Why Princess Margaret Will Never Be A Kappa Kappa Gamma" book is priceless, hilarious, and SO true!

I just love this topic. as someone who pledged at georgia and now attends ole miss i totally relate.
at the high school rush isn't just when you go off to college. it basically starts when you enter high school. there are all sorts of social clubs and stuff that you have to be asked to be in, and you really need these for college rush (if you want to get into a chapter that lots of older girls from our school are in). then the senior year gets very intense. every year girls will go to visit a college for the weekend and do something to embarrass themselves, and this not only messes them up for rush at their own school but for pretty much any state schools they would be going to. in the spring of your senior year your mother will call all her friends from the junior league, etc. to let them know what school you will be attending, so people will start to offer to write recs and letters for you. (for some houses i had over 30 rec/letters).
then it gets worse. the summer before i went to school i went to atlanta to get my "rush clothes". the week of rush my mom stayed in a hotel the entire week, so that she could check my outfits each day and talk to the alums in my hometown to let them know which houses i really liked or whatever.
i assume rush works pretty much the same way at most sec schools, at least that is what i have been told. i've also always heard that texas, ole miss, and georgia are the 3 hardest rushes.
hope don't find this too confusing, thought it might be insightful.

Very interesting... I transferred to Ole Miss from another school too, and oh, the stories I've heard!! I've heard that about Ole Miss rush, too... I love it here though!! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif