Could some BGLO ladies please explain how the NPHC sorority rush process happens?
 

Can some ladies please explain how BGLO sorority rush happens?

Suppose, hypothetically that I was a young lady in freshman year with good grades, etc. and I wanted to rush the NPHC sororities, and I don't know anything about Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sigma Gamma Rho, Zeta Phi Beta or Delta Sigma Theta? (Assume that all 4 groups are on campus) What is the process please? Do you check out all of them, so as to make an informed decision, or is it best just to approach only one (even if you don't know anyone in that one sorority, or in any of the other BGLO sororities).

I would like to expand my knowledge of both the NPC and the NPHC systems, and any helpful, informative posts would be appreciated. Thank you!

Referring to your hypothetical scenario, if that young woman had no information about any of the NPHC sororities, she should thouroughly research each sorority BEFORE expressing interest in any particular one. Once she has done her research, she should make an INFORMED decision about which sorority she feels she would be the greastest asset to. Once interest is expressed, it is frowned upon to then express interest to a different org. Down the line, if the young lady has all of her criteria in order, she will attend a rush and submit all of her application materials. At that point, the chapter members vote on her for membership. I hope this helps.



[This message has been edited by SkeeBunny (edited June 12, 2000).]

OK, I'm going to bite....please understand that I cannot and will not give specifics.

Each Sorority holds their RUSH separately. It's not common for Sororities to have the RUSH on the same day, unless the chapters have agreed to do so and certainly not in the same general location/room. Attendance at RUSH is not guaranteed by all chapters. Some chapters do their RUSH by invitation only, some put up flyers. Generally, RUSH is looked upon as the final decision, meaning the young lady has done her research and gotten to know a few members of the organization (highly important and recommended) and has decided which organization she wishes to pursue when she comes to RUSH.

At the RUSH, pertinent Sorority information is given, including GPA, credit hour (usually a minimum of sophomore status), and financial requirements, and applications are given to those who wish to continue their quest. From there the application is processed by the chapter and interviews are given to those who meet the minimum requirements. From there the applicant pool is narrowed by the chapter's vote to determine who will be extended an invitation. Those who accept the invitation then begin their journey to full membership in that respective Sorority.

------------------
Kelli
12-DN-94
SSU c/o 1997

From the posts above, my understanding is that when a rushee shows her face in person to meet the BGLO sorority at their Rush functions, she should pretty much show up to meet ONE GROUP ONLY and proclaim "Hi, I want to join "QQQ" sorority?

Or would she visit all 4 to check them out and then tell her sorority of choice that they are the ones that she wants.

Am I understanding this correctly? Please let me know if I am on the write track.
Thank you for your posts so far - it has been very educational.

You are correct. By the time an interested young lady shows up at rush, it would be in her best interest for the members of the sorority to be very aware that she is seeking membership. This can be done by verbally expressing her interest and attending all sorority sponsored evernts. It is TABOO to attend more than one sorority's rush. So, in a nutshell, by the time she attends rush, she should know in her heart that XYZ is the ONLY sorority for her.

Okay, thank for the clarification.

One more question:
If some Rush functions are by invitation only, how does one get invited (i.e. how is the sorority made aware of the freshman's existence and interest?) If my Mom, Grandma or NextDoor Neighbour is an XYZ alumna, can they write letters to the chapter on campus saying that I am going to be a freshman and that in their opinion I would be a suitable member and please extend me an invitation?

How is the chapter (or chapters) informed about the incoming freshman ladies?

Hmmmmmm, now your questions are getting a little more sticky. So, sorry if I sound a little vague. I'll just say that a perspective should seek membership into the sorority on her own merits, not on someone else's accomplishments. Therefore, it is up to her to make sure that the chapter members are aware of her interest. I think it is safe to say that we all believe that she should seek the sorority, the sorority will not seek her.

[This message has been edited by SkeeBunny (edited June 12, 2000).]

So basically, if you really really really want to join a certain group, don't keep it a secret from them, yes?

Yes and No....discretion is very necessary.

I just want to add that NPHC sorority rush is not supposed to be a final declation of intent to apply a specific sorority, but common collegiate practice has made this so. Theoretically, if one is searching for more information on any of the NPHC sororities, she should be able to attend more than one organizations' rush, as these events are one of the few instances where it's legal and appropriate for members and prospectives to get together and exchange information about the organization.

However, many chapters treat a prospective's attendance at one group's rush as a final declaration of intent to join that sorority. This is unfortunate and in many cases wrong, but is currently the reality on many campuses.

The most stress-free way (meaning, the way to arouse the least amount of ire from members) to go about learning what NPHC sorority might be a good fit for you is to meet current chapter members, support their community service and public events, and learn what you can about the history/legacy of each organization. Of course, maintaining an excellent GPA and providing consistent, meanignful community service are imperative as well.

Once you've decided which sorority is for you, your continued presence at chapter functions will usually serve as notice to members of XYZ sorority that you are interested. However, you may want to approach a member you know well that you are interested in joining her organization and would like to be informed of her sorority's upcoming activities.

God speed in your endeavors.

I'm a non-greek but I wanted to add that at the college in my area, the bglo's encourage those who are interested in greek life to attend the "interest meetings" of more than one sorority or fraternity. One or two days out the school year, the bglo's have what is called "greek night" (I think that is the name) where the different sororities and fraternities are located in different rooms. The students can go from one room to the other getting information on each bglo. They've only been doing this for a few years, but I think it is an excellent idea.

[This message has been edited by kissy324 (edited June 12, 2000).]

This probably sounds dumb, but is NPHC "rush" secretive? I know that the member selection process in my group is a secret (but from what I hear a lot of GLO's do it the same way), but not our parties or events. I've never heard it put this way - just wondering! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/confused.gif

I think 'secretive' is the wrong word although I guess it seems that way. I think a better word to describe the NPHC intake process would be 'discreet'. It's a subtle difference, yes. But I think that we in NPHC organizations expect our prospectives to exercise a certain amount of discretion when involved in intake.

Also, for those who come through collegiate intake, the new line's probate is a pretty big deal. A probate is a 'show' when you show everyone that you are now a member of the organization you chose. It's much more fun when it's a big surprise who the new members are. I know that I have gone to probates and thought Wow, never would have thought she would plegde XYZ!

ZetaAce

The basic thing to understand is that you are supposed to do your reasearch before you go to rush . Rush is not a place to really go to think about if you want to be in this org. There will probably be informational for hosted earlier in the year that you should go to to inquire about and to learn things about the sorority and it's members. Hope I helped

Thank you for clarifying that there are informational meetings. It is considered "bad" to go to informational meetings for all 4 NPHC sororities, if one doesn't know any sorority members personally?

I am asking this because, in terms of doing your "research", yes, I can look up and peruse each sorority's website and request some informational pamphlets, but ultimately how does one know if one group is a better fit than another unless they actually meet the ladies of that specific campus chapter?

Therefore, the informational meetings sound like a great idea for prospective members to meet the members on campus.

You should be able to go to every rush to see which organization fits you. Unfortunately, that is not the way BGLOs work. Only go to the rush that you are seriously considering joining. The members are usually involved all over campus, so it is not hard to see how they interact and get a glimpse of their personalities. Some may even attend class with you.Go to the sorority websites and find where each has been and where their going to see which fits your ideals. Just remember, even though there are different sororities, there are friends from each group. A Delta might inform her AKA friend that you were at her rush and a Zeta might tell a SGRho she saw you at her rush also. It won't look good if they think you don't know where your heart wants to go.

I have heard that some sororities don't have interviews. That once u attend the rush, then they will call u back if u make line.. Is this true??

Piggy,

I can only speak for my organization and that information is not correct with AKA. As for interviews, that is left up to the individual chapter if they choose to do this.

Let me first start by saying that Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. does not have rushes. We have informationals and invitationals. Everyone who said your research should be done prior to attending a "rush" and decision made prior to attending is correct. An informational is more of an informal thing where you are just trying to learn more about the Sorority and the chapter. Upon attending, you will make your interest known. However, I would suggest that you attend activities prior to attending this event. An invitational is by invite only. It is an invitation to join The Sorority.

I believe that the question was about informationals, which everyone is encouraged to attend. A rush is completly different, so it is not an unfortunate event with BGLO's. We have informationals that basically do the same thing that GLO's would do at the beginning of their rush week.



[This message has been edited by blu_theatrics (edited June 22, 2000).]

You really aren't simply joining the chapter...you're joining the entire organization!! :)

question?
 

How do you ladies in the NPHC feel about the intake/rush process of the NPC. How the girls meet for 20 mins. at five different parties, then rank the top three choices etc. and immediately get a bid, then pledge and (unless all hell breaks loose), are initiated? I see pros and cons to both ways. But how is it percieved from your point of view.?Please feel free to PM me, I am trying to get to know as many people as I can on here!

Re: question?
 

Well firstly, it's not only 20 minutes...and depending on the school it can be over a few month long period if recruitment is split over 2 semesters as it is in some schools in the mid-west. The COR period tends also to be longer, but that is in my experience. I don't know of anyone in the history of my chapter that has received a bid after 20 minutes. I see the benefits and the detractors to both NPC and NPHC recruitment/intake, but I think that it is unfair to say tha NPCs give bids after twenty minutes.

I never said that
 

I never said anyone got a bid after 20 minutes. I was talking specifically about formal rush. At my school there are 5 parties-each about 20-25 minutes long. At the end of the 5th party (pref)people do rank their top 3 choices. These are just the facts as I see them. COB is little different-you are correct about that. But that is not what I was talking about. No need to be sensitive. I merely wanted to know the perceptions of the NPHC on NPC rush since they are so different.

I think the misunderstanding stemmed from 5 parties...instead of saying 5 rounds. Just my .02

parties & rounds
 

You know what, you might be right. I should have called them rounds. That probably was part of the confusion!:)

DiamondDelta, I'm curious what sorority you are in?

Re: question?
 

I'm glad BGLOs typically don't operate like that. There are some NPHC organization's chapters that have participated in formal rush with GLOs because their numbers were so low and they were struggling for membership. Frankly, I would wreck my brain for ANY OTHER alternative than doing rush like GLOs do it.

Re: I never said that
 

Many NPHCers have little knowledge of how the NPC and IFC conduct their "rushes." But, those of us who are quite familiar with other Greek systems can form an "educated" opinion on the matter ;)

HERE LIES THE CORRECT ANSWER!!!
 

Actually....whoever says that attending more than one sorority event is BAD OR TABOO is totally WROOOONG!!!.

You should and must attend all sororites events...thats the only way to make your final decision

You might think you want to be an AKA, but find out the SGRhos are more your speed or that the DELTAS got more spunk.
Do not let other people including sorority members deviate you interest in their organization or another.

If you're curious attend all the events...THEN will you be able to make all the decisions[SIZE=4][SIZE=4][FONT=times new roman][COLOR=royalblue][B]

So, I guess the gist of NPC versus NPHC is that with NPC you aren't even allowed to show that you are even aware of chapter members before you actually walk into the party or else the sorority will get a rush infraction. NPHC would be like "suiciding"...okay I can use that word cause they aren't NPC, right. ;)

That is correct.

Re: HERE LIES THE CORRECT ANSWER!!!
 

Events, not Rush. There's a huge difference. Just a thought, that's fine to go to different orgs events but dont EXPECT a warm reception if RusheeGirl had been attending a number of NPHCSorority A's events (events that count like fundraisers, community service etc where people SEE YOU) and then show up to NPHC SororityB's events (parties don't count). It looks SUSPECT. That's how it is, I didn't make the rules.


Where did you get this info? In some places it IS taboo. It's just not done.

DIFFERENT IDEA OF RUSH
 

I believe that even in NPHC organizations each org does things differently when it comes to membership. Some organizations do rush other don't So...to apply the term RUSH to another sorority, within the NPHC without having true insight into their membership process WOULD BE INCORRECT!!!

The Term Rush has double meanings for some organziations...you must be clear in how you use the term...because evidence has shown that activities that one sorority does and calls it "RUSH" it not at all similiar to another organizations' idea of "RUSH".

Thus, like I said before it is alright to attend one sorority's community service event and then attend another sorority's party or community service...whatever they're having.

For example...Community service events shoud be meant for the public participation...how would anyone know that you are interested in the organization if people from all walks of life are participating in the community service...Some organizations do have community service which is not just open to women in the sorority, but to men, children, other women ( older women, college aged women, etc)

How would someone from the sorority, whose event that you are attending even know that you are interested unless the event you are attending..the only people there are sorority members and interested members...then you would feel a bit out of place for making your presence known if you're not yet seriously interested in the organization.

So my final advice...be careful what events you attend...attend the organziation's open public events (if they have any) and read all about the organizations too...that a really good way to gain more insight if you're afraid to show up to an event out of fear that sorority members would expect you to be interested in thie organziation because you're at one of their events. Whether it be RUSH or not.

Are you a member of an NPHC org?

I hate it when old threads get resurrected.

YES!!
 

Yes the lovely bluriver is a member of an NPHC organization

HATE OLD NEWS
 

To Ms. DSTCHAOS...

Well I hate to eat vomit...so I will end my comments on the matter.

The phrase "settle down, Beavis" speeds to mind.

Too funny. Maybe Craig can come hand out some downers