Rushing at the University of Alabama
 

Hey y'all. I'm new to the forum and I'd like to first introduce myself. I'll be attending the University of Alabama in the fall. :) I'm soooo excited!

Of course, I'm rushing, and I'm so nervous. I've heard so many things about rush being very intense and cuthroat at Bama. None of my family was ever Greek so I don't know what to expect. I also don't have any recs right now, but I'm going to work on that soon.

Can anyone give me some info on rush at Alabama? What should I expect? Is it really as scary as I'm thinking it is? HELP!

The page for Recruitment Info isn't coming up at the moment, so here's a link to Bama's Panhellenic Association site:
http://bama.ua.edu/~npc/

Check back with it to see if the page with recruitment info comes up. There's also a link for recommendation addresses.

Best of luck with recruitment!

all the best...get ready to have fun and make sure your shoes are comfy.

I am going to be rushing in the fall as well, but at the University of Florida, and I feel almost the same as you do! I'm not from a Greek family either and I'm trying to get my recs but people are understandably busy and I feel like I'm so far behind...oh well, as long as we both prepare as best we can and HAVE FUN I'm sure everything will work out fine!

GOOD LUCK!! :)

DISCRETION is the key on here since you are going to a school that a LOT of GC'ers know about. In fact, if it was me I wouldn't even post about your experience until it's over. Don't give any opinions about the houses.

Get recs for all houses. Period.

Sorry to sound harsh, but that's reality in southern rush and yes it's going to be intense.

-recomedations are not required for all houses, but many do require them. don't worry if you don't have a rec for a house, it is THEIR responsiblity to find one.

Sorry, but I will disagree with this one. Yes, it's their responsibility to find one but with SO many girls going through are they really going to worry about them. If they REALLY want you, they probably will but don't count on it. Better to get them all yourself.

Good luck rushing at Bama! I'm rushing in Cali this fall and all I can advise is to seriously read over some of these threads on GC (particularly about recommendations, the "general advice" thread, and the "what to wear" threads) because they're really informative and a lot of them are targeted more toward SEC rush, so they should be really helpful for you. You might also read through some of the rush experience threads to get a better idea of what to expect during rush.
Good luck!:)

The way you make this sound (whether or not it was intended) makes the girl who is excited about rush feel not welcome on GC. I am frankly tired of people saying "don't ruffle feathers or people on GC will get mad." Let the girl say what she wants to say, she is just looking for advice and for someone to say "you'll make it through recruitment, I know how you feel." Lighten up everyone.

Some advice from a journalist...whenever we go into an interview, we have around 10 questions written downthat we WILL ask, for certain. We use those 10 questions as a jumping off point for conversations...starting a memorable discussion with me is THE way to earn yourself a spot on my bid list. When someone ASKS ME questions in addition to answering questions clearly...that's a desireable quality and shows a degree of hospitality on the part of the guest.

So once you get past the same old questions (and be prepared, you're going to be spouting off your name hometown major every 5 minutes, it sucks). If someone asks you, "so what did you do in high school" answer the question and then ask, "what organizations and stuff are you involved in here?" or try to lead it into something that can get past "oh I lived a town over"..."what's your favorite class here?" What professor is awesome for underwater basketweaving? Etc. etc. etc. Have a few "Stock" questions to save the conversation should it start sinking on either part, because the sisters will be nervous too. Don't be afraid to write them out for your own good (don't take it with you though!).

Good luck!!!

[IMG]home.arcor.de/ murdok1/ghey.jpg[/IMG]

Sure she can ask for advice, but she also needs to know that revealing too much info can also put her rush experience at risk.

Can't happen, you say? Oh, but it did. More than once. Some PNMs had really horrible results because they didn't know how to keep their mouths shut on GC.

People will always be snarky. Myself included. I can't help but laugh and snort everytime I get a "lighten up everyone" either from a newbie or lurker. :rolleyes:

Sorry doll, but that's just the way it is.

Just because I haven't posted 8,000 times doesn't mean my opinion doesn't mean anything and that people who have posted hundreds or thousands of times are the gospel. Just because I don't have alot of posts doesn't mean I am not on GC and reading it. Also, please don't talk down to me by calling me things like "doll," it's rude and condescending.

Also, what is worse, going into rush without a clue, or trying to find nice people on GC to give you good advice? I would think it would be to not have a clue.

Back to the topic...ilovebama, recruitment is such a fun and exciting time and I hope you find some people on here who are willing to give you some good advice about rushing in the South without trying to make you feel unwelcome! I wish I could be more help to you but I rushed in Cali!

(I edited this after some afterthought)

It's honestly not so much regular GCers, most of whom can take criticism of their GLO without having 22 fits. (We are a Panhellenic and realistic bunch) It's more the lurkers who happen by here and freak out because OMG SUSIE SWANSONHEIMER SAID WE WERE TOO BUBBLY WE NEED TO CUT HER NOOOWWWW.

At any rate - ilovebama, DEFINITELY get recs for all the houses - this is at least one thing you can control. Good luck!

Frankly I have to agree about being careful what a PNM posts online (here or elsewhere) during actual Recruitment. I'd be a little concerned if I saw PNM say "I just didn't click with ABC" or some such. If I was ABC and we loved that PNM, then I'd think maybe she wasn't interested in us. Same thing if I saw "I just loved XYZ" and I'm not a member of XYZ.

There are plenty of topics around to provide explanations of what to expect during Recruitment. I strongly suggest you take a look through them. You'll find everything from actual Recruitment experiences to what to wear.

Here's my 2 cents worth and I'm probably repeating what has been said a million times before in other places.

Keep an open mind especially on a campus the size of Bama with a strong Greek system. The smallest Chapter that participates in Formal Recuitment has around 70 members and the largest around 160. Or at least they should after Recruitment, maybe even larger considering how many women will be going through. Think of it as the law of large numbers, you should be able to find friends in any of the Chapters.

But at the same time, don't let yourself be talked into something that you know in your heart you won't be happy with. I've seen actives do this and it colored their entire collegiate experience. (It's really sad because they never gave that GLO/Chapter a chance and they could have really loved it if they didn't have such a negative outlook.) On the flip side though, for me I didn't get my first choice on my bid card. Still, I gave it a shot and in the long run know that it was the best thing that ever happened to me. Somebody "up there" knew what was best for me.

With the craziness involved in Bama or any large Recruitment, you have to put your best foot forward and make an impression. With so many PNMs going through you simply can't be a shy person. Again I'll use myself as an example. With people I know, I'll talk their ear off but with folks I've just met it's a whole different thing. My mind goes blank on what to say even for making small talk. I literally had to force myself to do it during Recruitment. As already suggested I came up with a list of topics and questions for each stage of Recuitment to fall back on if I got stuck.

Recs are important. No they aren't required but again with so many going through it could possibly hurt someone who wants to be in XYZ and not have a Rec with them. Then again it might not, it's really hard to say and depends the individual Chapter. Remember to provide the person writing one for you with a resume and picture. And by all means, send that person a thank you!

IMHO it's only fair to know that grades are very important. It's my understanding that many Chapters at Bama are looking for at least a 3.0 GPA or equivalent. If you don't have those kind of grades, you can still receive a bid to a great Chapter, but your choices may be a little more limited. If you took AP/honors classes, if your HS was an especially challenging/college prep school, or something along those lines you may want to provide your rec author with a transcript and/or an explanation of your school. Especially when coming from out of state and the Chapters may not be familiar with your HS. If you don't have someone to write you a rec, I think there is somewhere on the registration form to provide additional info and you can explain there. (Sorry, it's been awhile since I read through the reg form.)

Best of luck!

ETA: It has been pointed out to me that I implied that there was a big problem with many Bama PNMs being pressured into accepting bids from a GLO and then were never happy there. That was not what I had intended. While I have in fact seen this first hand, I was primarily referring to stories I had heard from other advisors from campuses around the country who had seen this sort of thing happen as well. My apologies if I was not clear.

Registration is SO underway!

This article was in Today's Crimson White...

Greeks gear up for Rush


Rule bars sororities from contacting possible recruits in summer
By Brittani Tingle
Staff Reporter
July 14, 2005



While some greek organizations are making changes for fall Rush recruitment next month, others are expecting more compliance to changes that have already been made.

Divya Patel, Alabama Panhellenic Association's recruitment chairwoman, said that between 1,050 to 1,200 could participate in fall sorority Rush activities next month. She said 812 had registered as of last Friday. The final day to sign up is Aug. 12.

Panhellenic Rush will run Aug. 15 to 21.

The number of participants is expected to be larger than previous years because of increased freshman enrollment, Patel said.

While no major changes have been made to the recruitment rules for the Panhellenic sororities since last year, Panhellenic President Elizabeth Thompson is expecting more compliance to a rule prohibiting summer contact between sorority members and potential recruits.

The rule was adopted at a Panhellenic Association summit in November 2004.

The rule says that, excluding normal contact, no sorority members or alumnae may contact potential new members or their parents after the last day of spring classes. The Panhellenic Association defines normal contact as contact between relatives, friends, neighbors and co-workers and asks that each sorority turn in a list of these circumstances in advance, Thompson said.

The rule also says there cannot be an organized attempt to influence potential new members through letters, phone calls, summer recruitment parties, alumnae teas or beach retreats. Sorority members are also prohibited from asking any fraternity to invite potential new members to summer parties.

Thompson said the Panhellenic Association adopted the rule because they wanted to ensure the safety of potential new members and sorority members. She said that it had also become expensive for sorority members who had to plan and pay for summer events to entertain potential new members.

Summer contact was also difficult for the potential new members who spent most of their weekends during the summer in Tuscaloosa, Thompson said.

"I just believe it takes a little bit away from their senior summer," said Thompson. "It wears everybody out."

Recruitment rules and aspects of "dirty rushing" were major talking points among the chapter presidents, Panhellenic delegates and national organization officials who attended the summit, Thompson said. The adoption of the summer contact rule was the biggest change that came from the discussion.

"We wanted to sit down and look at what was actually in the rules, what it meant, what we were following and what we weren't," Thompson said.

Thompson said that last year some of the sororities were confused by new rules, so this year Panhellenic representatives went to each house to individually explain the rules to them and answer questions.

"It's taken a couple of years for everyone to understand them and put them into action," Thompson said.

The meeting last November was not spurred by complaints from sororities or new recruits, said Jennifer Gray, Panhellenic judicial board chairwoman. Panhellenic officials wanted to ensure they were closely following national guidelines because to their knowledge, Gray said, the Capstone was one of the few universities that still allowed summer contact between sororities and potential new members.

Thompson said so far everyone has been following the rules this year "but we can't control what's not reported."

Unlike the formal sorority Rush, much of the Interfraternity Council recruitment takes place during the summer, said IFC Vice President of Recruitment Lucas Hayes.

It is very informal and usually involves incoming freshmen visiting the fraternities of their high school friends, Hayes said.

"This process is convenient for students from Alabama, but it puts some of the out-of-state students at a disadvantage because they can't spend as much time during the summer in Tuscaloosa," Hayes said.

Formal recruitment begins on Aug. 31 for IFC fraternities and ends Sept. 9. About 500 students sign up for recruitment, and those that don't get pledge pins during the summer participate in the formal recruitment process. The IFC is hoping for 150 students to go through formal recruitment, Hayes said.

To help out-of-state students find the fraternity that is right for them, Hayes said the IFC is changing the formal recruitment process and trying to make it more coordinated.

The fraternity house visits, during which Rush participants get to see each fraternity house for five to 10 minutes, will all be on one day, Hayes said.

"In the past, it has been a two-day event and by the second day, participation and enthusiasm has diminished," Hayes said.

Cookouts at the individual fraternity houses will also be apart of the formal recruitment process. Five to six fraternities will host cookouts each evening from Sept. 5 to 7, and Rush participants will be able to walk among them, Hayes said.

National Pan-Hellenic Council fraternities and sororities will hold a recruitment convocation on Aug. 31.

Girls at Alabama HAVE BEEN CUT over what has been said on GC. No lies.

GP, good point. Is it possible for the Rush Mods to send a welcome PM to all PNMs advising them about discretion and posts? You have a great Please Read with all the rules listed, but I'd be willing to bet that not all the newcomers visit that thread...

Hell they have been cut almost everywhere because stuff that they had said on GC. The internet can be a small world

Didn't I say DISCRETION WAS THE KEY!?!

I have sent a few "honey, what the hell are you thinking?" PMs

I think that's a hugely unfair/unreasonable responsibility for the rush forum mods.

Some of the PNMs understand discretion, and those that appear not to are usually quickly advised of it by GCers.

I totally understand that "discretion is key." I wasn't planning on posting my thoughts on any particular GLO's or telling all about my recruitment experience. I am, however, planning to go through rush completely open minded and just have a good time. Thanks for all the good advice and tips. It is greatly appreciated.

And that's great! While we all love rush stories, I think it's more important for you to have a positive rush experience than it is for us to read about it as it's happening! Bama has a lot of excellent sororities and I think you'll enjoy your recruitment experience. :D

Good Luck
 

Good Luck during rush! Follow your heart and ROLL TIDE!!!!!

Actually the Summit was in January of 2004. It bugs me when reporters don't check their facts. Ok, I'm being a little nit-picky and this has nothing to do with this thread.

Sorry. /tangent

Who says going into rush clueless is such a bad thing? I know we're talking about 'Bama and all, but I knew very little about the way things worked when I rushed and I still had a full party schedule every round and got my first choice. In my case, I know I was able to relax a lot more because I didn't know all the stuff that goes on so I wasn't worrying about it. As long as you understand the basic no-no's, like saying potentially offensive things to chapter members, I think the most important thing is that you act just like you normally do. And for me, being "clueless" helped me do that.

I agree with your point to extent that a PNM can benefit from not being aware of the specifics of Recruitment. However I've often heard and read stories from a lot of folks who were completely overwhelmed by the whole process since they didn't know what to expect.

For example, "They opened the doors and all these girls came spilling out singing, clapping, whooping and hollering. I was completely freaked out! By the 2nd or 3rd house I realized that's what everybody did and calmed down." or "This girl started talking to me like we'd been best friends forever. I've never met her in my life and she knew everything about me. It gave me the heebie jeebies!"

and pnm's: please understand that even though the crimson white article states that pnms and current collegiate members or alumnae are not to fraternize, it does not mean that you cannot seek out and obtain recommendations. what they mean is that an alum or collegiate should not take you over to the chapter house, invite you to a sorority party or do anything that might sway you toward their sorority during the summer.

Yeah, that happened to me. I was really freaked when a girl just grabbed my arm at the door of the first house and started leading me around, because no one had told me that that's what happens. But I just went with it. I think not knowing what was going to happen was good for me in the long run because I didn't have a chance to "rehearse" everything mentally and then get all flustered if it didn't go exactly as I'd planned. I don't know; that's just me. My point was that not posting so much on GC during rush is probably a good idea, even though the rushee might be a little more "clueless" because of it.

You can always read and not post. :)

Yay another SEC rush story!!

Good luck girl!! Don't get discouraged, stay alert and keep an open mind! And if you are second guessing rush, or what you wanna do - come here and seek advice! Had I not seeked out from a "wise GC"er" I would have never gone greek. :)

ROLL TIDE.

Have a great time. You know what I was thinking about BAMA Recruitment? Do yall bring a purse with you? I mean, don't you walk from house to house?

If so, wouldn't it be great if you had one of those little fans in your purse. I would have loved being able to cool off a little between houses. I mean you must bring lip gloss, a mint (or little melty paper mouthwash thingy), a pen or whatever and a fan would make that walk between houses not such a torture session.

I could be all off on the "rotation schedule" but just a bit of advice, if you can carry anything around a baby fan would be a God SEND. (maybe a bottled water) >ha ha funny keep listening to me and you will be carrying a suitcase around.

HAVE A GREAT TIME!!!