Rushing as a junior?
 

I attended a community college to get my first two years out of the way but I'm transferring to the university of Alabama in the fall. I'm really interested in rushing, and I have a few recs, a 3.4 GPA but I've read a lot of discouraging posts about how hard it is as a junior. My friend who is in a sorority told me I shouldn't worry because I'd most definitely get a bid since I'm pretty and have a good GPA but I know alabama has one of the most competitive recruitments. I'm very open minded. I don't have a house that I specifically want, just wherever I feel is my place.

Get ALL those recs. They are necessary at Bama. Alabama has an upperclass quota so you would fall into that group. Not all chapters make use of that but I am sure you will find a home if you keep an open mind. All the groups are great there.

You're very wise to question your friend's "words of wisdom". It likely won't be a cake walk for you, but of course you have a chance to get a bid!

Get recs in order, practice conversations, make sure your outfits are on point, and keep an open mind (although it sounds like you're already aware of that last requirement).

Good luck!

^ What KSUViolet said. Is your "friend who is in a sorority" in a chapter at Bama? Or is she at a school in the Northeast (like the one I attended) or elsewhere, where recruitment is not quite so competitive and junior standing isn't much of a detriment?

Definitely line up your recs.

Also, double check to see if all your credits are going to transfer. If you find you're going to have to be around for an extra semester, it may help to be able to say, "I'm a junior transfer, but, because some of my credits didn't transfer from my last school, I'm actually not going to graduate until December 2019." (Read: You'll be an active, dues-paying member for five semesters rather than four.) I'll let someone from Bama weigh in on that point - I may be wrong as to whether "I'll be around for an extra semester" would be considered a plus.

Haha I'm completely aware that it comes down to more things than that. I think she was just trying to be encouraging. It was a nice compliment, but I'm definitely not oblivious to the fact that those aren't the most important things. (Besides GPA) I'm not trying to be like every other girl in recruitment by thinking I'm pretty and smart and gaurenteed a bid because of those things. I came here to ask for honest opinions rather than biased.

KSU Violet did give you an honest opinion. Actually that's what you're getting here. *shrug* you may or may not like what you're reading. We have no control over that, just as we have no control over what the actives in any chapter do during recruitment and membership selection. I'm sitting here in the inferno known as Arizona, wishing I had some control over the weather. Not happening.

Suggestion: read extensively in the recruitment forum. Focus on information about Alabama in addition to information about recruitment in general, including what to do and how to do it. I checked out the Alabama Panhellenic page; plenty of great information there also.

Bottom line (my honest opinion, as you requested): your chances as a junior are significantly impaired by your age/year in school. You are competing with thousands of PNMs who are "the whole package" and who have four years of potential membership (translation: dues paying) ahead of them. Finances are a consideration in bidding upperclassmen; don't think that is not a fact. How can you make yourself desirable despite your class standing? THAT is the question you ask yourself, and you research and find answers.

As others have said, including some who are quite familiar with Alabama, keep your mind wide open. Don't listen to tent talk (although that's probably impossible). Alabama has 17 of the 26 NPC member groups on campus this fall, with Sigma Kappa colonizing in Fall 2018. You have opportunities ahead of you. I wish you good luck. Because membership is for a lifetime, not for two years (in your case). You will have some challenges in a pledge class (okay "new member class") full of 17-19 year olds. Cross that bridge when you come to it. The first hurdle is recruitment.

I did not go to Alabama, so I cannot give you any advice on the specifics of Alabama recruitment, however I did go to a school with a very competitive recruitment so I can speak on that.

At schools where recruitment is very competitive (actually at all schools, but especially at schools where recruitment is very competitive), ALL of the chapters are great, and you will be able to find friends in every single chapter on campus (assuming you are placed there). Trust me on this. Do not listen to the tent talk.

You are at a disadvantage already, being a junior. I am not saying that you will not get a bid, but your class standing puts you at a disadvantage. Unfortunately you can be really pretty and really smart and have really great extracurricular activities, and still be at a disadvantage because you are an upperclassman. Some chapters will likely cut you because of this. There are a great number of very pretty, very smart, and very involved girls going through recruitment at Alabama and other very competitive campuses. This is a fact. No one on this forum is trying to give you biased advice from what I saw. We're not saying you're not going to make it. What we are saying is that it will be really hard to make it and, depending on the package you are presenting, the odds may or may not be against you.

I'm sorry, but I wouldn't trust your friend's word that you will "most definitely get a bid" even if she is a current sister in a chapter at Alabama. If your friend is currently an active at Alabama, she can try to help increase your chances of getting a bid by potentially introducing you to some of her sisters in advance of you getting to campus (but not in violation of any PNM/active contact rules) and advocate for you within her chapter. However, this is still no guarantee. Many women are let go in chapters, despite the fact that they have good in-house connections and someone who is in the house and advocating for them. I repeat: you cannot guarantee you will get a bid, especially on a very competitive campus with your junior standing, even if you have all the connections in the world to this chapter on this particular campus.

So, with all of that said, I recommend that you go in with a VERY open mind. As I said, do not listen to the things some girls will be saying. Also, recruitment is not real life. If you do not feel like you connect with a chapter during recruitment, that does not mean that you will not connect with them after recruitment.

Basically my main piece of advice is: if you are lucky enough to get a bid to ANY chapter, that is your golden ticket and you should take it and run with it. That chapter wanted you, saw you as their sister, and decided to take a chance on you. You will find lifelong friendships and have lots of fun at ANY chapter on your campus. The experiences are really not very different, since all organizations offer and do the same things, essentially. And, like I said, at schools with very competitive recruitments, this is especially true. ALL of the chapters have great girls. Trust me on this.

Things you can do this summer to try to help your odds: (1) get recommendations for ALL the chapters ASAP (there is great advice on the recruitment forums about this); (2) get a job/internship and/or be involved in volunteering and/or travel a bit (basically, get some interesting experiences...you should be building your resume to help you get a job after graduation anyway, and this will also give you things to talk about); (3) If you have friends who are sorority members at Alabama already, you can try to talk to them to express interest and ask for advice; (4) choose your outfits/makeup and make sure you look confident and put together, like you're going to meet your boyfriend's parents for brunch; (5) do your best to relax...there are certain things that are within your control (conversations during recruitment, how you look, getting recommendations for every chapter, building up your resume with experiences like volunteering and internships/employment) and certain things that are no longer within your control (your junior standing, your GPA...good or bad, you can't change these anymore), so focus on what you can control now to have the best recruitment possible.

Good luck and let us know what happens! I know I'm always curious as to what ends up happening to the women we help through GC and where they end up.

I am taking this as my signature quote unless you protest. Your post was magnificent and brilliant.

I'd be honored. Thank you!

By the way, I'm not on very often, but I do lurk, and you consistently give honest and amazing advice. :)

Cool. Thank you. I hope the OP pays close attention to what you and others have written.

And ditto for you. I don't know that I'd rate myself that highly though. Sometimes I really step in it. And I am blunt. Which people don't like. Oh well. Too bad so sad. Sigh.

I hear that there are already upwards of 2400 girls already signed up for recruitment at Alabama. I am sure this will again be the largest recruitment in the country. That is a LOT of girls to compete with and you are starting with a strike against you as a junior.

Read the advice you have been given here and take it very damned seriously. These women know what they are talking about. Alabama is the big leagues!

There are towns with post offices that have fewer people than this. Lol

Have you read this thread? It was started by another junior who was thinking of transferring to Alabama.

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...d.php?t=109987

Unfortunately, we never got the end to that story. The OP said she decided to transfer to USC (I assume University of Southern California) instead of Alabama. Never heard if she rushed there, but she said she planned to.

There are colleges with chapters of my fraternity that have fewer people than this (2400). Lol

In addition to the great advice you have already received, something that may help you with recruitment would be to practice small talk when you get the chance. If you find yourself at a gathering with people whom you don't know that well, branching out to talk to them can help you develop those skills.

One tip I'll give you is to keep the conversation moving. So let's say you're at a dinner party with your parents, and one of their friends asks, "Annabanana12, what are you planning on majoring in?" (I know that's a frequent question, and that's part of why I used it as an example. :p)

Some people might answer by saying that they're not sure yet and leave it at that, but that's not the best answer to give if you want to keep the conversation going.

If you wanted to continue the flow of the conversation, you might say something along the lines of, "I'm not sure yet, but I'm considering psychology and sociology at this point. Those subjects fascinate me because I like the study of human behavior. What were your considerations when you chose your college major?" This answers the question in a concise way, tells them a bit more about who you are, and keeps the conversation going.

I know that recruitment conversations can be nerve-racking for a lot of people, but that is something that you still have time to practice if you choose to. I wish you the best of luck! :)

As of Monday, 2500 were signed up...a tad less than last year, but the registration costs went way up and they're closing registration on Monday rather than letting women sign up through the day before recruitment begins.
SO....OP, it will cost you $450 now to register plus the $160 cost to move into the dorm a week early (if you're in a dorm).If you're in an apartment, I hope you've already moved in because, while you pay for the entire month of August, usually they won't let you move in until the 15th or something.
That said, placement rates are very high for upperclassmen, so your chances of joining a sorority are very, very good!
And since this is pretty much your last chance....go for it!!
What could it hurt? You'll meet a ton of people, go through a unique experience, and not have to wonder "what if."
Roll Tide!

What? $450 to register for recruitment?? Seriously? Wow.

Yep - $250 May 1 through May 31; $350 June 1-30; and $450 July 1-17.
I couldn't believe it, either.

Wow...putter-offers beware!

Yikes! What does this money go to anyway? Even if every PNM got in at the May 31 deadline, that's $625,000.

Is the $450 amount just a way to encourage women to sign up early so no one has to deal with a bunch of last-minute registrations?

It'd be interesting to know what the rate is of last-minute sign-ups to bids distributed. Perhaps they're seeing a trend, and with so many PNMs, they want to keep "serious" and prepped PNMs only.

Do you think it is cheap to put on an 8 day recruitment for that many women???? Seriously, they don't get just a tee shirt and a schedule. If you haven't been there and seen it, it is really difficult to imagine the scope of this event. As an Alabama alum, I've lived with it as it as grown. It's our normal but it really is an 8 day event for 2500 PNMs, over 4000 members, countless alums. The logistical support for such includes dozens of police for safety, road blocks, etc., office personnel, IT support (someone has to be on duty for all that computer time), general campus support with RAs coming back earlier to man the dorms, etc. Just stop and think about it. School doesn't start till the week after recruitment ends so the campus has to gear up 2 weeks early. It ain't cheap. RTR!

Everything Titchou said times a million.

Seriously, friends. Seriously. Recruitment is very very expensive to "put on". Oh my stars, I was astonished at how complex and complicated it is. For the CPC officers and Greek Life staff, it's more like an ultramarathon. They prepare for months. As soon as this recruitment ends they start getting ready for 2018.

I could go on and on with a list of expenses incurred by the CPC. Let me know if you want me to provide a list if you can't come up with one on your own. My admiration and respect to the huge schools who manage to pull this off every year with minor or minimal glitches. It's enough to make me want to curl up with a pitcher of daiquiris or margaritas. Screw the popcorn and coke!

/end of rant (brought on by memory of an 18 year old new member snottily saying to me in front of the entire chapter of 250+ women "so all our dues pay for are food?" Oh man when I was finished with her, informing her just WHAT her dues paid for, the room temperature dropped to below zero).

Yikes, ok...

It's a lot of money to some of us, especially considering someone may drop $450 to not get a bid. Clearly they jacked up the price way up this year and made an earlier cut-off date. We're just wondering why.

Do they have people who sign up for rush but really could care less about going Greek and just want to move into the dorms early? I would think weeding them out would be helpful, if that is an issue.

Yes, that's exactly why.
To be sure, the number signing up and not showing up the first day, or dropping after a day or two, was not huge, but it was significant enough. Plus the sheer numbers signing up (We would have been pushing 3,000 this year, but it's closer to last year's 2,600-2700), not to mention the drop-out rate between bid day and initiation day - again, not huge, but you want to convey the seriousness of the committment.

And those NM classes of 150 plus! Sigma Kappa will be colonizing fall 2018 and we're all looking forward to that!!

Forgot to mention the cost of running buses for 2500 every day of recruitment!

There have been girls who enroll for the specific intention of moving in early. Some may attend the convocation and then drop out of rush, others don't even bother. Having a steeper rush enrollment fee might deter some.

Absolutely FSUZeta, AnchorAlumna, AZTheta.