Are you a legacy?
 

Okay, I was not a legacy of a greek organization, but in my GLO(AOTT) getting legacies is a huge deal and I just wondered if anyone out there who was a legacy to a greek organization felt a lot of pressure to go to that organization or really felt they could go there own way

There is definitely that pressure for some girls. We had a Pi Phi leg in my pledge class. The cool thing is that her mom never had told her which sorority she was a sister of in college. She had known that her mom was in a sorority, and knew that she wanted to rush when she got to college. Come pref night, she called her mom stressed. She told her mom that she was preffing Pi Phi and Kappa and was torn. Her mom started crying on the phone and said that she was proud that her daughter had come this far and chosen everything on her own. She then said "Honey, you go wherever you can call home and wherever you can call the girls your sisters, but if I had to choose for you, I would hope that you find it in Pi Phi tonight." The daughter started crying and went and filled out her pref card. I am now proud to say that I can call this girl my sister. Her mother came to our initiation and it was so touching.

Another guy in Sigma Chi didn't know that his father was a Sigma Chi until he was present at his initiation ritual.

I guess it shows that you end up where you belong.

But girls shouldn't feel pressure. In fact three of our girls were DG legacies and preffed Pi Phi and DG and went Pi Phi. A hard decision, but the mothers and sisters supported them because they wanted the girls to experience the same joy that they did through the sorority experience.

I have a younger sister and she already wants to go Pi Phi. But I realize that if she attends a different university, I will be there for her and be proud of her simply being greek.

In order to avoid the whole legacy rut, just send in the legacy rec to the specific chapter and have the rushee not mention it on the Panhell recruitment form at the beggining of rush.

That's a very cool story, pcpck. In our chapter we have a few DZ legacies, a few Sigma legacies, and a Alphi Phi legacy. On of my sister's mom actually was in the founding chapter of a certain sorority chapter on my campus and they dropped her, so it just goes to show that being a legacy isn't a sure thing.

At our school legacies are a HUGE compeition. If your soority sangs anopther chapters legacy it is a huge thing. Also if you lose a legacy to another chapter that is really bad as well.

I am a Chi O legacy, but I went through rush with an open mind 2 years ago. I decided to give every house the same chance as Chi O. I ended up not joining Chi O, and I am happy with my decision. Sororities are concerned with the woman--not what sorority she may or may not be a legacy of.

We had 3 legacies go through in the spring, and we lost all 3 of them http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/frown.gif I only really liked one of them though... I know that sounds bad, but 2 of them were kind of rude.

my real sis was a adpi & I graduated early from high school and she wanted me to rush that next fall. I was around a lot of her sorority sisters and really liked them a lot after awhile. Me and my sister are complete opposites so I never figured I would rush her sorority. Yet, I found out that in a group of over a hundred girls I met some just like me and the others were awesome,too. They had an informal rush this past spring and I am so glad I joined. Being a legacy I know made my sister want me really bad, but she left the decision up to me. That's what good sista's do.

I know exactly what you mean, SSS1365. In my chapter, it was an unwritten rule that direct legacies would be extended a bid, except in the most extreme of cases (and I do mean extreme!).

I didn't like the idea for 2 reasons: 1) it was obvious that some of the girls were more interested in another house, and, by offering her a bid, we were basically wasting one of our spots. 2) some girls came through Rush acting extremely rude with an air of superiority, as if they were entitled to a bid just because their mother, grandmother, sister, etc. was a member.

I am happy to say that the way my chapter deals with legacies has loosened up a bit since my days as a collegiate. Although I do understand the importance of legacies, and agree that they should be afforded extra courtesy during Rush, I firmly believe that rushees should remember that the extra courtesy is extended because of the alumna that the rushee is related to, and NOT the rushee herself. In my opinion, she should try to make a good impression just as much as a rushee with no legacy ties.


[This message has been edited by dzrose93 (edited July 27, 2001).]

I am a Kappa Delta legacy!

Unfortunately, most of the colleges that I'm interested in do not have Kappa Delta http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/frown.gif. I would be so happy if I could continue in my sister's footsteps and choose Kappa Delta, but unfortunately, I probably will not have the chance to do so http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/frown.gif. I cannot tell you how happy my sister was as a sister of Kappa Delta, and I can only hope that I will have the same happiness with whichever sorority I choose!


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How lucky I am to have known somebody who was so hard to say goodbye to.
- Unknown

The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.
- E.E. Cummings

I'm an AGD legacy, however Iowa's AGD chapter closed a few years back - and DZ was the best place for me anyway http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif I know a lot of girls at Iowa who are KD, SK, SSS, or AOP lagacies, however we have none of these sororities so these women end up going wherever they feel most like home - and thats how it should be.

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"Behold the turtle, for he only makes progress when he sticks his neck out"
- Former Delta Zeta President Betty Heusch Agler (Xi Chapter)

I am a Chi Omega legacy, but I did not feel any pressure whatsoever from my family to go Chi O. Different schools have different chapters and even at the same school, once the years have passed, chapter dynamics change. I kept an open mind about where to go and I loved Delta Zeta so much, that it wasn't much of a difficult decision to make. My chapter does have several legacies, but none of them say that their DZ legacy is the reason they joined. They also kept an open mind, which is the best thing to do!

I'm not a legacy but my little sister (blood) will be going through recruitment at my school this fall. Of course I would want her to be a pi phi but I told her that she shouldn't feel pressured to join my sorority. I'm just worried that (since our campus is fairly small) the girls in the other houses will find out that she is my sister and assume she is going to go pi phi and not really give her a chance. I want her to have all of the opportunities I had when I went through rush and I don't want all of the other houses to drop her because they assumed something that wasn't true. What do you guys think I should do?

We had a girl go through recruitment last year who's sister was a current member of a sorority on our campus. We loved her but the only thing was that she was a senior already. She prefed us but ended up going to her sister's GLO because of the pressure and because she felt bad about taking a spot away from who would be around for a few more years.

I also rushed with a girl in the same situation (except that she was a freshman not a senior) and she also joined her sister's GLO.

Two of my sisters were AOPi legacies. One's sister is an AOPi at another state school and the other's mother was. They were happy with their choices, though! Monica (her sister is an AOPi) said her sister loves AGD now just cause she is in it, but she cried when Monica chose AGD. She didn't like the chapter at my school though.
Another sister isn't a legacy but four of her aunts were AGD's and two cousins. She felt compelled to go AGD, not because of them, but because the person who preffed her had known her all her life. She was torn between us and another group... she asked the girl preffing her if they would still be friends if she went the other group and she said no, that they would still get along but never hang out or see each other.
That sealed the deal for her!!!
We have two legacies coming through this year. One is the sister of an Active and the other is a double legacy from her grandmother and sister. We don't have to take them. Last year a legacy went through and like all other NPC groups we had to invite her to the second round of parties, but she declined (thank god!). She was rude, obnoxious and kept carrying on "I know I am a legacy here, but I really think that I should be an XYZ because they take the prettiest girls on campus" The second round of parties she showed up in a strapless zebra print dress that was two sizes too small... we were so relieved!!!


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"...and love her for her womanhood."

In my pledge class we have 2 (3?) SK legacies...one girls was a 3 way. Her grandmother, aunt and mom are all SKs...the craziest part was they all came to our initiation. Her mom lives in Egypt! And she came all that way. We also have 2 Gamma Phi Beta legacies. Being a legacy is a huge deal though.

It's too bad I'm not a guy (j/k) because my grandfather was in Sigma Phi Epsilon (which is on my school's campus). Just kidding! ***FEMALES RULE!!!***...anyhow, my mom was a Gamma Phi Beta, and my grandmother says she was Pi Tau Delta (but she either has a bad memory, or that sorority isn't in existance any more)....anyhow, GPB isn't on my campus :*( That would be great to take on my mom's sorority as a legacy. Oh well http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/frown.gif I have my own path to walk http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

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***Tinkerbell***

~~~Don't worry, be happy!~~~

I know for sure we'll be having a legacy go through rush next year. One of my sisters real sisters will be rushing. It should be interesting! The real sister rushing us doesn't want to join just because her real sister is in the house. Hopefully she'll still rush us with an open mind regardless! I would hate for her to cut us just because she doesn't want to seem like she's following in her sister's footsteps! Only time will tell, and hopefully she'll go where she'll be the happiest. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

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If the angels up above
Could hear us sing our song to you
They'd see that in our hearts
We're Pi Phi's from the start

When a blood sister goes through rush, there are some tips on how to get her. First of all, let her know that she should keep an open mind (although we all know that you don't want her to...you want her with you! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif) Another thing is to make sure that you 1) Don't act overly sappy and doting just because she is related to someone in your chapter (that can make her feel like the only reason you like her is because of her sister!) 2) Don't let the chapter get overly confident that she wants your house just because of her sister and 3) Treat her like an individual (don't center conversation around her sister...find out about her life and what she likes!) Since I joined my chapter, there have been 3 sets of sisters in the chapter, and these are the guidelines that we used to rush them. Happy rushing for your sister-sister! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

I am a DZ legacy, but there is no DZ chapter on my campus. My mom said she couldn't stand the Zetas back when she was in college, but she was still happy for me to go ZTA.

I know with my chapter, we automatically invite legacies to the 2nd round of parties, but after that, we better like her! We do go out of our way to meet legacies, but we also make it a point to meet the girls who aren't legs but have really good letters of rec. Of course, letters and legacies are no sure bet for getting a bid. I think the quote goes, "You can get by on charm for 15 minutes. After that, you better know something." It's along the same lines as that. This past fall, we had a legacy come through. Her sister had been a member of our chapter, but had graduated. At rush workshop, we discussed how NOT to come on to strong, and whatever we do, DON'T call her by her sister's name! She did end up pledging Zeta. And NEXT fall, one of the active's younger sister will be coming through rush, and I am sure we will fight hard to get her b/c we've aleady met her and love her, and we think she likes us, too.

So I guess the point is (if there is one) that being a legacy is not a sure thing, but it will get your foot in the door. Of course, you can easily get a bid if you are not a legacy.

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"Seek the noblest."
Zeta Love! <3

I think that is the coolest part of legacies. One of the guys in my boyfriends fraternity is a legacy and his fatehr came to his initiation and he said that was teh coolest thing ever. I know if my daughter or a family member ever joins my chapter, I will be certain to be at their initiaton, it is only something that can make you closer!

Side Note on Legacies:

Obviously when a Legacy comes through, most sisters want to meet her, as she is usually given some special consideration. However, don't mob her! I have a sister who was a legacy to another chapter and didn't join them because when she went to their parties, she kept getting traded off to another girl every other minute so that more girls could meet her and she couldn't have a real conversation with any of them.

LEGACY hmmmmmmmm

ok NO I am not a legacy but I am a proud member of AKA. I was the chosen one. My grandmother, mom, aunt and 3 sisters are members of Delta Sigma Theta. They thought I was going to pledge DST. I don't know what made them think that. I did get a Delta Scholarship but hey it paid my tuition. I use to tell them I am seeing the pink & green light. I always had in my heart to be an AKA . Not to be a rebel but because I researched it. In my time AKA is what was and will be going on. My family was upset and they do player hate but they were very supportive in my decision.

I'm an ADII legacy http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

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University of Alabama--- ROLL TIDE!!!!!

I just found out that yet a *FIFTH* member of my family is Greek! (Mom, Grandma, Grandpa, Mom's Cousin) My mom's cousin's daughter (okay, I guess my 2nd cousin) was *PRESIDENT* of Delta Zeta at WVU!!! She is going to write a reccomendation for me. Yaay! Would this be considered a legacy thing, since she is my blood relative???

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***Tinkerbell***

~~~Don't worry, be happy!~~~

I just found out that yet a *FIFTH* member of my family is Greek! (Mom, Grandma, Grandpa, Mom's Cousin) My mom's cousin's daughter (okay, I guess my 2nd cousin) was *PRESIDENT* of Delta Zeta at WVU!!! She is going to write a reccomendation for me. Yaay! Would this be considered a legacy thing, since she is my blood relative???
That would be *so* cool because her mom and my mom were in the same sorority at WVU also (Gamma Phi Beta), and that's how they met--my mom hooked her mom up with her cousin LOL!

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***Tinkerbell***

~~~Don't worry, be happy!~~~

Tinkerbell--in AOTT, we don't consider cousin's legacies but we DEFINATELY get excited when ANYONE who has a relative that is an AOTT comes through our doors. She is the PERFECT person to write a rec for you and I am sure everyone will be on the lookout for your smiling face!

Tinkerbell,

Although your cousin is a blood relative, you are not considered to be a legacy for Delta Zeta. According to our rules and regulations, a legacy is the daughter, grandaughter or sister of an initiated Delta Zeta member. In the past few years, DZ has begun to recognize stepdaughters and stepsisters as legacies also.

A recommendation from your cousin is definitely helpful, though! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif Good luck!

That's cool, as long as it's helpful. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif Should she send a picture with my reccomendation so they can put a name with a face? (Keep in mind this is the South I'm rushing in LOL).

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***Tinkerbell***

~~~Don't worry, be happy!~~~

Sure, I would have her send a picture! But have you already sent a picture with your rush form(or do you even have to do that?) If not, then have her send one. If you already have a picture into them, I think one is enough! What sororities do they have at the school you are rushing at?

I'm from the South! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif Pictures are important (at least they were at my school). Even if the girls already have one from your Rush form, I would still send a picture attached with your cousin's rec. Another pic helps the girls to remember you better, and it also keeps them from having to dig through the piles of Rush forms to match your cousin's rec with a face. Hope this helps!

I'll be rushing this fall and I'm a legacy for AOII!! My mom was one at the same school I'm rushing at so she's obviously excited, BUT she's not putting any pressure on me at all to join her sorority. She'd be thrilled if I did, but more importantly she just wants me to be where I feel the most comfortable. The only downside to it is that I'm sick of hearing "Oh you don't have anything to worry about because you're a legacy" I would hate for people to think the only reason I joined a sorority was because "sororities have to let legacies in" which from reading these boards I know isn't always the case! I'm really excited about though, with 14 (I think there are 15 NPC sororities at UA, correct if I'm wrong anyone) other sororities to choose from it should be interesting!



[This message has been edited by rolltidesoon (edited July 31, 2001).]

RollTideSoon-
YAY!! I love AOTT legacies!! But its a very smart thing to keep an open mind and I think you are doing just that. And you are correct, you are not a shoo-in for being a legacy--but just be yourself and have that smiling face and every organization will be after you! Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions about AOTT--I miss being a collegiate!

As you guys know, I have 1 AOPi active daughter and 8 daughters not yet in college. Two rush next fall, oh boy. Anyway, I'd like to know if active chapters nowadays tend to cut legacies to other sororities early on or fight to get them away from the legacy sorority!

Oh my goodness Carnation. You have nine daughters?
I'm not a legacy, but there was a girl in my house who was. She was miserable bc she wanted to be a sigma kappa. Anyway she had a tough year and ended up becoming an alumnae since she left our school after the spring. SO I think it is alright to not join a house that you are a legacy too because everyone deserves to be happy. SK dropped her so that was the problem for her.

No, I didn't already send them a pic with the form. The form was really short, and basically it only asked name, address, and phone # or something like that. At MTSU they have Alpha Chi Opmega, Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Omicron, Pi, Chi Omega, Delta Zeta, Kappa Delta, and Zeta Tau Alpha.
I already have a rec. for ZTA w/pic, and my cousin's sending one for DZ. I don't know about the others, some people were supposed to send recs. for me and they never updated me on whether they did or not. Oh, well.
Oh yeah, I forgot that my uncle was in a fraternity, too, but I didn't ask him which one yet. My whole dang family is Greek and I didn't even know it! LOL! There might be more cousins who are, I'll have to ask around. I guess the more, the better it looks.
Any ladies who are rushing this fall (as I am), feel free to email me & we can discuss our experiences! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

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***Tinkerbell***

~~~Don't worry, be happy!~~~

That's something I've been curious about! Could being a legacy actually be a disadvantage, like do other sororities tend to take the "Oh she'll probably just go with XYZ since she's a legacy, let's cut her" attitude?

I don't really know how much it can hurt a person's chances of getting another sorority if she's a legacy of one. But from my experience (and I've only been on this side of rush once), it didn't really matter. We had one legacy who EVERYBODY loved. I'm sure she could have gone anywhere she wanted. She was really an awesome girl, and just cuz she was our legacy didn't stop other sororities from "fighting for her." She ended up going ADPi. I'd rather see a girl go where she's really happy than just join XYZ just because she's a legacy, if that's not what she really wanted.

Even though some members may think that way, most chapters as a whole (at least at my school) get kind pumped when think they have a chance at gettting someone else's legacy...especially when it's a rival sorority, because then it's like "alright, we stole XYZ's legacy, rock on!"

Competition between the sororities at my school during rush is cutthroat. We are out for blood! So when we see that a girl is a legacy to another house, it just brings out our competitve spirit. It's like, "We are sooooo stealing this girl from XYZ!" (especially if it's one of our big rivals)

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"Seek the noblest."
Zeta Love! <3

Recruitment on my campus (Bethany College) is definitely an open field! Every year we have legacies to all four sororities come through, and it's a guessing game to where they end up. Sometimes they end up to where they are a legacy...but often not.

Just a little word of adviceto high school seniors looking to rush: I have seen lots of you girls posting on this site who are legacies. (Yeah! This is a great thing!) Please remember that even though you are a legacy, there are ways that the sorority can drop you!
One of the most disappointing stories that has gotten handed down to me by older sisters was of the "Nightmare Legacy." She walked in the front door of our home, threw her coat at someone, sat on the couch, put her feet up, and said "Someone needs to get me something to eat." One of her fellow rushees quietly reminded her of her manners and the "Nightmare Legacy" replied, "Oh, it doesn't matter. They have to bid me. I'm a legacy!" Luckily, she dropped us before we had to go through the long proceedure to drop her! While it broke our hearts at the time, it's kind of funny now.

If you end up going to a house where you are not a legacy & want to join, let them know that you are interested in them! Ask them the same question that you did on here! I'm sure they will be flattered to know that you want them! Besides, now you will be starting your own legacy!