Smu!!!
 

I am going through rush at SMU in January so I was wondering if anyone could tell me anything about the sororities as far as which ones are the most exclusive and which ones aren't...from what I hear, Pi Phi, Kappa and Theta are supposed to be the top ones but I don't know anything about any of the others so if anyone could give me some info I would appreciate it- thanks!!!

due to the number of times the 'exclusive question' has been asked, i think it is safe to say that you wont get a direct answer. everyone on here is very proud of their organization as well as supportive of the others. i am not jumping on you cause i used to want to know the same thing. the popularity of one chapter differs between colleges. but dont think that the org's popularity means that you will be happy. you should go where you feel most comfortable. you should research the sororities by looking at the websites and observing relations between the sisters on your campus.
when someone asks about what sorority is the most exclusive, the topic here gets ugly. it does more harm than good.

Smiley, you are just so articulate! That was very well-put...

Anyways, where is SMU, aka, what does it stand for? I'm not so quick on all the acronyms lately!

you guys have taught me well;)

SMU=Southern Methodist University .... in Dallas, Texas


Smiley, thanks for your response... I don't mean to cause trouble or anything. I am just curious. I really dont know anything about any of the sororities at SMU...I just want to know some things before I actually rush..so I'll know what to expect...So if anyone here from SMU can help me out i'd appreciate it soo much!! thanks! :)

no problem. just wanted to give you the heads up. if you have a couple of hours free, you should look at a few pages in this 'rush' forum. so many of us have documented our rush stories and there is so much info about the rush process. it is incredible. you should take a look. but also feel free to ask questions!

For the best inside the organization look, I'd advise you to start with the National web sites. Pretty much all the GLO's have them! That way you can learn about the organization's without the particulars of your school. Also, most of the chapters should have web sites for themselves!

aj

smugirl...
as one texan to another....howdy and welcome.
all serious, try your school's website for greeks. i bet they've got it all listed for you -- so you get a base of knowledge.
also take some time to work the site, there's a bunch of good good info here.
and get ready to have some fun.
:D
we're glad you're here.

Welcome!! I'm right next door in Fort Worth. There are many helpful people here so please make yourself at home!!


Lizz (PNAM tinydancer)

Look at your school's website and the sororities' websites (the chapter at SMU and the national).

Look at back issues of the SMU newspaper for stories on the sororities. This will tell you what activities they were involved in, as well as which groups won national or campus awards if that is important.

The main thing to know is to go with the sorority that is the best fit for you and not pay attention to which is the most "exclusive" - join because you want to be true friends with the women in the sorority, not because of what they will do or not do for your social status.

thank yall so much for responding!!! i really appreciate it! :) I am soo excited about rush!! :)

SMU is really great. They have a great greek row. And I have never heard anything bad about any of the chapters there. I think they are pretty much all strong groups. Good Luck!!

SMU Greek Life

SMU has a wonderful Greek Website...

ETA: I noticed this statement on the website: Do I need recommendations to go through Panhellenic recruitment?

It is the chapter's responsibility to secure a recommendation for each woman who decides to go through recruitment. If you would like to secure your own, please send all recommendations or letter directly to the chapter houses.

PLEASE... PLEASE... IGNORE IT!!!! BE PREPARED... Gather your own recs... ask your school teachers, mother's friends, friend's mothers, sunday school teachers, your dance coach, the nurse at your doctor's office, your doctor, etc... Register with the Panhellenic of your hometown (NOW)!!!! Recruitment at SMU starts at the end of the fall semester.. Open house is in November? and invitational rounds start in Jan! Do not be fooled by the PC answer you get on the Greek website!

If you need help with recs (which are important!!!!) feel free to PM a member of GreekChat in the organization you need a rec for. While we may not personally write you one, we will be able to find someone in your area who can. :)

YAY! An SMU rush...Im at the University of North Texas, just up the road. Im also a Pi Phi. I have tons of friends that go to SMU..they have such a great greek system there! Im so excited for a Texas rush...especially one that will happen after I'm an active!

Re: Smu!!!
 

According to some article posted here in GC these are the apparent "top" houses at U. of Texas, Austin. SMUgirl as many will tell you try to avoid the tent talk during rush and just go with your heart. I know that the house you join will be the best for you! Also, my school had defered recruitment (rush in Janurary) as well. The best thing you can do is to keep an open mind through out the first semester about all of the houses. Many girls at my school had decided they wanted to join a specific house and dropped out if they got cut. I was sad to see them go so I can say I hope you stay around and complete the process! :D

Welcome to Greek Chat!
 

Welcome to the boards!

For the best advice about going throught recruitment, here's a check-list for you.

1) Go to your university's Greek Life web site and check out the sororities.
2) Go those sororities' national web sites, and look at those, too, to familiarize yourself with things such as where the sorority was founded and when, the colors, symbols, etc., signature events they might hold (ie: Delta Gamma's Anchor Splash, Lambda Chi Alpha Watermelon Bust-- ok, LXA is a fraternity!), and most of all their philanthropy. Each sorority has a pet project or charity they contribute to with fundraisers or awareness campaigns, both nationally and locally.
3) Enroll in recruitment and contact the office of Greek Life at your school for information about what recruitment is like, what the attire for each day is, etc. Prior to the start of recruitment, you will be assigned a recruitment counselor-- a sorority woman who has disaffiliated from her chapter during the recruitment period in order to be your objective and unbiased tour guide and source of information through the week. There will be a group of Potential New Members assigned to each counselor-- so you will get to meet a lot of women-- both sorority sisters and potential sisters! It is a great week to make new friends!
4) Contact the Alumnae Panhellenic in your area and ask to be given the contact information for the alumnae delegates of the sororities that have chapters at your school, so you can meet with the alumnae and secure a letter of recommendation. You can also visit the Alumni Involvement pages at Greek Chat-- there is a thread with postings of alumnae who are willing to write recs. A recommendation is not a guarantee of a bid, but it is the equivalent of an introduction of you prior to recruitment--- and this means your name will be remembered b/c an alumna has taken the time to recognize you to the chapter.
5) Do things to make you feel your personal best-- if you want to whiten your teeth, get a hair cut, a manicure, eyebrow wax, massage, join a gym-- do it-- just do it a little before recruitment so if you don't like your new hair color or manicure, you have time to change back. You want to feel comfortable and the best possible you! These things aren't necessary, but if they will make you feel more confident about meeting new people, go for it!
6) Figure out your recruitment wardrobe. A piece of signature, tasteful unique jewelry can make a wonderful conversation piece. Try to avoid jewelry with a possible sorority connotation (dolphin, lion, fleur de lis, etc--- another chapter might interpret that as you having your mind made up about what sorority you want to join and it not being the case at all!). For clothes-- you want comfy classy shoes and tasteful clothing-- you are dressing for women, not for boys, so leave the short hemlines and the plunging necklines for the night club scene. Dress like a lady. Also bring blotting papers b/c the southern sun can make you sweat-- drink plenty of water and stay hydrated!
7) At recruitment, make an effort to meet as many sisters as you can at each party. (As you go into each sorority house, the sorority will immediately pair you with a sister to talk to, so you're not on your own! She'll introduce you to lots of people, too.) Try to find a common bond with each sister you meet (hometown, favorite TV shows or food, major, etc.) Ask good questions like Are members required to live in the house at some point? How do you help sisters balance sorority life with school work? How long is your new member period? What was your new member period like and what is your favorite memory? Make sure to work into the conversation your interest in greek life, your academics and interests, campus involvement, hs involvement, community service history, etc. Demonstrate you have done your homework on the sorority-- IE "I understand your philantrhopy is Save the Sea Lions. I love Sea Lions; I grew up near a Sea Lion Beach. How does the chapter support Save the Sea Lions?" Then the sister can tell you about their philanthropy events. :)
8) Most of all, remember that recruitment is a lot like an interview process--- you are learning about the sorority and its members, and they are learning about you. Make an effort to make it less of a question-answer session and more of a conversation. Go into it thinking, "I am going to make a new friend today" and treat each sister as you would someone your best friend might introduce you to as a new member of your group of friends.
9) During recruitment, smile-- you'll maintain a look of interest by doing so and appear enthusiastic. The parties and the days can seem long, so by smiling, you keep yourself upbeat and pumped!

Good luck and please read through our Rush Forum-- there is some great advice!

Hey SMUGirl!! I grew up near SMU, and had one friend who was a DG there, and another who was a Tri-Delt there. I want to echo what everyone said here, about getting your own recs!! You will need them!! SMU rush is competitive, with alot of local girls attending who have been groomed for rush since birth!!

Adpiucf has wonderful advice!! And good luck to you!!

Wow! ADPiUCF, that was an AWESOME checklist! I think we should copy that and pin it.

ESPECIALLY pay attention to what Angels&Arrows said regarding recommendations. PLEASE get your own. Being in Texas, you shouldn't have trouble finding an alumnae chapter of each org that's near to you.

Good luck!

If you want a rec from Gamma Phi, pm me. I can set you up with our Dallas Alum Chapter.

Wow Adpiucf *snaps* to you! :D