uf rush??
 

Okay; I have been lurking here, reading some of the rush threads that you all have posted...and I am getting pretty nervous. The Greek system at my school seems to be tough from what I have read so far. I will be transferring to UF in the fall as a junior, although I am actually looking at 3 more years at UF.

Still...is my standing seriously going to hurt me during rush? Add that to having no family connections, as the highest my parents went was community college. So I know of no one to get any recs--which seem to be very important at UF despite the PC site's word that they are not required.

I would really love to be a part of a sorority during the years that I have left in college, as well as long after I graduate. I plan on being very active in a sorority (I am open to them all right now). But...will I get a fair chance to show this and find a home at a GLO at UF?

Any advice and/or info would REALLY help me out!

I can't really help you, but I know there are several people from UF who post here and I'm sure they'd be glad to answer your questions! :)

I don't know for sure about juniors, but I know it is possible for sophomores to receive bids. Search for Curlygirly's rush thread. She's one of my sisters and I'm pretty sure she went through as a sophomore.

It also helps that you have three years left, so make sure you bring that up, if you can.

As far as recs go, ask every female you know if she is in a sorority. You'd be amazed how many you'll likely find. Former teachers, family friends, people you've volunteered with- all of the above can write you a rec.

PM me with the area you live in & I'll see if I can help you out.

I hope you do decide to go through rush!

Like someone already mentioned, if you can tell them that you will be there for 3 more years, I think that would definately help you!!

On your Rush application mark that you are a junior, but in parenthesies write (will graduate in 2006) - or whenever.

Also keep in mind what your standing at UF will be. If you'll be there another 3 years because not all your credits transferred, you may be considered a sophomore.

Definitely milk the "extra 3 years" for all you can! At some universities it can be hard for juniors to get bids, but I don't know what the atmosphere is like at UF.

Not knowing anyone for recs is ok, there are plenty of resources here!

There's a thread in the Alumni Involvement section (there's a concurrent one in the Rush section as well) which contains contacts for people who are willing to either write recs or help you make the necessary contacts in your area for recs. While you may need to do a little leg work, it's much easier if you have a contact expecting you. :)

So, check this out, and good luck!


http://forums.greekchat.com/gcforums...threadid=34355

From my understanding of UF (we had quite a few girls on GC go through UF rush last fall -- check out their rush threads if you want to see what it's like), it is possible for sophomores to get bids (although somewhat more difficult than it would be for a freshman) and pretty difficult for juniors to get bids . . . but since you'll be there for three years, you're pretty much a sophomore equivalent. I agree that writing "Junior (but will graduate in 2006)" on your rush application will help, as well mentioning that you have three years left to as many people as possible during rush.

On the other hand, the lack of recs could hurt you a lot. Head on over to the alum forum and see if anybody can hook you up with an alum in your area -- I'm sure you can get at least a few recommendations that way, and you may be able to get all of them. Good luck! I hope you stay on the board to give us your rush story, and feel free to ask us any questions that you might have -- that's what we're here for! :)

I don't know about UF, but at my school which has a pretty big/competitive rush we are allowed to take two juniors as "freebies" meaning they won't count towards our quota. I don't know if UF does this, but it's worth looking in to. Because not many juniors go through rush and since we have 14 sororities, that means there are essentially 28 free spots for those girls. I dunno, just something you might want to check out. :)

I'm in a similar situation...
 

I'm at Univ of Tennessee-Knoxville and I am also a transfer student as a junior who is going to stay here for another 3 years. Is there anywhere online or does anyone know where I can find out about juniors and quotas here at UT? Good luck in the recruitment process!! :)

I went to a tiny school, so my personal experience won't be much help specifically, but a few ideas:

1. Contact UF's college Panhellenic & see if they can point you in the right direction to get references from your area. I gather references are seriously a good idea at UF.

2. When you do go through recruitment-keep an open mind & figure out what your goal is...to be a member of the top-top house, or to have a wonderful sisterhood experience? I'm not saying you can't have both, but statistically, I think its safe to say that juniors, even sophomores have a tough time at UF. I also say that b/c there are alot of great groups at UF, some are smaller, but that doesn't mean their sisterhood is any less fulfilling than the huge groups. As you said-sisterhood is forever...and you will get that from ALL of the houses on campus & by keeping an open mind, your chances of finding that sisterhood will increase.

Good luck to you!

When it asks on the application what year you are, you should put something like "2006" or "May, 2006" so that there is absolutely no question of how long you'll be around.

Best of luck to you! :)

PS I love your screenname!

This is worth quoting and repeating.

I know that most years, not all groups make quota at UF. The same logic that makes chapters prefer a freshman over a junior causes them to prefer a junior over an open spot.

It will be tough, and you will be cut, but there will also be groups that do not care about your status as a junior.

I like the whole idea of putting "Class of '06" on the year classification line. That way, you are telling the truth, but not telling "too much". If they ask you though, be honest. Also, if your b-day is on there, they will figure it out...

Good luck!

I would definitely worry more about getting those recs than about your standing. Very sadly at schools with large greek systems it can be difficult (although it seems from what people have said, not impossible) for Jrs. at UF to get bids. You can't control or change that you are a transfer student, so do what you can to get yourself some glowing recs and head out to rush with your head held high and go find yourself some sisters !! :D

Well, I filled out the application for rush today! So (yay) I finally made up my mind to go through with it, my surface disadvantages be darned.

Turns out that the form didn't ask for my expected year of graduation :( so I didn't get to make clear that I plan on sticking around UF until 2006. They DID, however, make sure to ask my age and the amount of hours I already have. GRRR. I have 66 hours (changed majors). So that could have been better.

No matter--I can't really change that now. And it's not like I am gunning for any particular "top" house (isn't it different on each campus anyways?) so I don't think my feelings can get too hurt if that is the reason one needs to cut me.

I have decided that the one thing I CAN do to increase my chances of staying in the game is to get some recs. Hmmm...and I only have a month to get them...Recruitment starts on the 17th of August. :rolleyes:

In some of the replies (By the way, everyone has been super sweet, Thank you!) I believe it was suggested that I try and track down an alumni association in my area. It was either here or on some other thread--I can't remember. How would I do this? Should I look for a panhellenic group or search for each sorority? I have my resume ready and think I have decided on a pic to go with it but that is as far as I have gotten.

Man o man. Lots to do! Any other tips to share for this wannabe-greek on a deadline?

Tell EVERYONE you can that you have X number of years left. I would have written it on the application in the margins somewhere.

UF uses only online applications...so no margin :)

First I have to say good luck on rush.
Secondly, I would just suggest contacting friends, family, teacher you've admired, coworkes. I'm sure someone will turn out to be greek. A letter of rec is like selling yourself. The chapters will want to know what kind of assest you will be.
I do know through rush that typically Juniors do have it rougher than freshman, but event though you couldn't mention on your application when you are expected to graduate, don't be afraid to mention it during rush. Tell the sisters that you will be an active member for another three years. Just let your personality shine through.
I do believe that at ASU my sisters have accepted juniors and a girl I went to high school actually recieved a bid to Sigma Kappa her junior year.
Again, good luck with everything. Just have fun with rush and be yourself.

Brianna
Alpha Delta Pi

You can use your recs to convey the 2006 information -- make sure to tell your referrer that you are planning on graduating in 2006, and you'd like to have that information on your rec if possible, to tone down the status as a Junior.

Its a good way to get that information into the house without having to shout it to the world during each round. :)

Hi flgidget!
 

I just wanted to say hi... I will be rushing at UF in August too! Are you getting nervous? I hear it is so competitive and I'm starting to get those little butterflies already! I read that you are worried about being an upperclassman- I don't know if this is true at Florida, but I have heard that at other schools with strong greek systems, each sorority can take a couple of upperclassmen as "freebies", meaning that they don't count toward their quota. Any word on whether this is true for UF?

by the way, I love your name! how tall are you? my fam calls me gidget because I am just 5'3"!...(ok, 5'2.5"!!)

good luck... what's your last name, maybe we will be in the same group?

Omilord, I am getting nervous! But an excited nervous--so that is good.

I actually heard about the 'free' juniors too, and I wrote to an advisor to greek life/student affairs to ask about that. She hasn't gotten back to me though...

But that is okay because...I FINALLY FOUND MY LOCAL PANHELLENIC ASSOC!! :D I talked to the prez last night, she assures me that I am not past help, although she did caution me to the fact that the junior thing WILL hurt me in some houses. That's okay, I had pretty much gathered that thus far.

She was so sweet and excited for me, it made me realize (again) just how much I want this to work. :) Fingers crossed!

And bettie, I pm'd you!

I figured I'd post this here since it has alot to deal with sorority rush? Does anyone know who bought the UF AZD/TKE house? I've heard rumors that it was TriDelt. Does anyone know anything about this?

Any updates?

Hope recruitment is going well for you!

*bump*
anyone there?

Congrats on going AXO! I read it in the other thread