VTMom
 

My daughter will not be attending VaTech in the fall.

Hi!

Congrats to your daughter & VT!

For more info, I would start with their Greek LIfe website to check them all out:

http://www.studentprograms.vt.edu/greeklife/

It looks like she's going to have quite a few houses to look into!

gogreek@vt.edu

Best of luck :)

VTMom
 

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Also check to see if there is a local alumnae panhellenic association in your area. Many of them offer assistance in obtaining recommendations.

www.npcwomen.org lists the Alumnae Panhellenic Associations. If no link is posted to the APH nearest you, you can email the NPC to obtain local information for the rest of the sororities you still need info for.

Although there are 21 sororities on the list not all are NPC (National Panhellenic Council). There are only 14 NPC sororities (if that is what your daughter is looking for). Here is the link to their Panhellenic site http://www.vtphc.com/page.php?page_id=8710

In that list there are also member of NPHC (National Pan-Hellenic Council) which is historically African American sororities. Which are Delta Sigma Theta, Sigma Gamma Rho and Zeta Phi Beta.

There there are Multicultural/Latino Groups like
Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc. is mostly a Latina sorority
Theta Nu Xi is a multicultural sorority
Sigma Alpha Epsilon Pi is a Jewish-interest sorority

Omega Delta Gamma Christian Service Sorority seem to me mostly a service sorority and not a social one.


So you won't need to get rec for all 21 groups because NPC, NPHC, etc all recruit differently.

VTMom
 

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GLO = Greek Letter Organization.

Having a recommendation is a great way for her to be introduced to the sorority before Recruitment even begins. So even if they're not required, it's still pretty good to have.

I know a couple people who are Greek at Virginia Tech. I don't think a rec is necessary, but it never hurts just to give a little heads up to your daughter! My chapter usually receives a couple recs a year (not a big thing here at WVU) and our Rush Chair always gets excited and reads them outloud to us. Bottom line, I don't think a rec at VT is necessary, but it's a good introduction for your daughter.

PS, from what I hear, Alpha Phi has an amazing chapter at Virginia Tech!

Go Hokies! I have a lot of friends at Virginia Tech and many are involved in the NPC sororities. They all love their sororities and the greek program there is fabulous. I asked some of my friends about what rush is like there for you and they said it's very competitive but all of the girls absolutely love it! They will have lots of fun events planned for the girls that will keep them busy! I strongly suggest you have your daughter read some of the threads available on this forum about rush- they will help her immensely to stand out above the rest.

Just wait 'til you go to those Hokies football games- it will be an incredible experience!

I didn't think shameless plugs were being allowed again.

It better be amazing for the $816 for first semester dues!

Definitely wasn't pushing her daughter towards my sorority, just mentioning that I'd heard through friends I know who go there/have visited that it's pretty great. I know girls from home in other sororities at Tech, too, sorry I didn't feel the need to spout off every single one that I knew somebody in.

Wow yeah that is pretty costly, our first semester dues are usually $600-700. Do most of the sororities at VT has first semester dues that pricey?

VAMom
 

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Once again, it all depends on what you're getting for the dues - that could include meals, all parties/swaps/formals/banquets, favors and shirts from all those parties/swaps/formals/banquets, your pin, etc.

Agreed. We have one of the more expensive first semester dues on campus, but they also cover 3 date parties, one semi formal, one formal (including bus transportation), rush t-shirts, and a lot of other things that most sororities ask their girls to pay for outside of dues. My freshman year it used to be "we're having a party with Pike on Thursday, everyone pitch in $3", so I like it much better this way.

And sometimes the chapter with the most expensive first semester dues has the cheapest dues for the rest of your active membership. SK was like that on my campus. We were 6-7 maybe for the first semester but my junior and senior years dues were only 300 a semester.

VTMom
 

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During recruitment, your daughter should be asking the sororities (if this information is not automatically presented by the Treasurer/VP Finance) about the dues. This is not a rude question and the sororities are prepared to answer it. There is no "general" amount of money per semester, but suffice it to say, it seems like your daughter should be prepared to pay several hundred dollars ($500-900) the first semester and a few hundred dollars every semester thereafter. Your daughter can also ask whether or not the fees are all inclusive, or if there are extra costs she should be aware of.

Unless there is some specific clause on the VATech campus that precludes freshmen from going, sororities will often have open houses or something of that ilk in the fall. Sororities host tons of philanthropic events, this would be a good way for your daughter to support a good cause and meet the soroity women before recruitment. Panhellenic will also sometimes sponsor philanthropic/social events with all the sororities, these are another good option. And of course, your daughter can try to meet sorority women in her classes, athletic teams, campus events, etc. This is the best "research" your daughter can do to familiarize herself with women in the various chapters.

Your daughter can research the sororities by going to the various national websites. On the national websites she'll get information like the sororities' various mission statements, philanthropies, etc. All of this information could be potentially useful.

You're doing everything right already. Your daughter will be getting more of this information in time, some of this stuff she won't know until she's actually on campus. You probably don't need to figure all of this stuff out in advance. The best thing you can do is to just be there for your daughter... you can best help her by listening and counseling her through what can be a crazy, sad, exciting, stressful process. Have fun! :)

If I'm not mistaken, "parlor fee" is a fee that members who don't live in the house pay for house maintenance.

VTMom
 

gone

Yep, that's what it is - I come from a smaller chapter (when I was there, we had 7 girls living in a 4 bedroom house) and we asked everyone in the chapter who didn't live in to pay parlor fees to help cover the electricity, cable, internet, and incidentals around the house since they were often there and using them. Our parlor fees also included laundry privileges at the house.

I am certainly not saying that the costs are not worth it--the group cited was the most costly for first semester and the average dues per semester for actives was also among the highest. VTMom--you are right to ask questions, and, as others have indicated, the dues may include all kinds of "extras". This eliminates the need to pay for things as you go, which can be very helpful when trying to stay on a budget. Also, many organizations offer payment plans so that is something to consider. All the dues were listed on the VT Panhellenic (NPC) website.... someone provided the link earlier.

Best of luck to you and your daughter. There were some great recruitment story threads last year....from BamaDad DZ and TexasMom (I think that's right). Read and enjoy!

Generally, the 1st semester dues for new members are the highest because of all those one-time fees like their badges. KKG does not assess, so whatever the dues are that are listed would be the bottom line. Of course, optionals like T-shirts and pictures are not included.

VTMom,

I freely admit that I was an executive secretary (some might say helicopter parent) for my daughter's recruitment experience: collating info, making initial contacts. Since your D is so busy during her last semester in hs, you may want to do the same. Even though VATech has deferred rush, your D would want to make the initial contacts by June so she has plenty of time to interview with the alums throughout the summer. She may not have an opportunity to interview in your area when she's in Blacksburg.

There was a Virginia father/GCer whose daughter had a very successful recruitment at Alabama this past fall. Although there was no Greek affiliation in the family, they did pursue the recs and made sure she had one to each house.

One thing I really like about VATech deferred rush is that the groups have casual get-togethers in the fall. There may be a Grey's Anatomy viewing at the Kappa House one night and then an OC night at the Alpha Phi House. I think this promotes a more natural environment and conversations are less stilted.

that's nothing..check out the finances for the chapters at FSU:

http://greeklife.fsu.edu/PH/finances.html

The local Panhel might also have some recent graduates who could answer some general questions for you as well.

please check you pm's.

Just wanted to say good luck to your daughter. About half of the people from my graduating class went to Tech, and many of them joined sororities. They're all really happy they did because they said it gave them a community within the school since the school is so huge. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions :)

Does your daughter know anyone who is a collegiate or alumna member of a sorority at VA Tech? They could give her a good perspective on joining sororities at VA Tech.

A few women who I went to high school joined chapters at VA Tech as sophomores, and I could be wrong because I am not particularly close with either, but I highly doubt they had any recs. I would do some research on the campus greek culture about recs before you dive in. They could end up being useful and worth the time or they could turn out to be a HUGE waste of time. Some people will say "oh, recs never hurt, get them anyway," but at some schools recs would be seen as an annoyance or arrogant like "why do alumnae think they can choose my sisters" sort of attitude.

I know that many women at my campus (Maryland) register hours before the deadline (i.e. they're not gathering recs) and still end up with a bid. Some chapters don't have a reference chair, and the ones that do generally joke about it not being an actual position. Now I am not saying that just because Maryland and VT are both ACC schools that the greek culture is the same. But I can guarantee you that you are not dealing with a school like UGA where a potential new member would be dead without recs.

Be sure to get clarity on this one, because it can be a recurring expense that you pay every semester you are not living in the chapter house, or it can be a one-time fee. On my campus, it was the latter for most groups.

I think in the south recs seem to be more important. But I agree with an earlier post that you might want to ask a Greek alum about recs, and see what the local attitude toward them is. My mom was like you, doing everything before hand, but she had it a little easier because she was Greek...but your daughter will have a much easier recruitment for it! I really think I had it easy when I went through because my mom worked on it so hard. Good luck to her!!!!

I would advise getting as many recs as possible, even though the website says they are not necessary. My daughter goes to an ACC school, and in my opinion, it never hurts to have your name known before you get there. It's easy for great girls to fall through the cracks if they walk in totally unknown--not that they won't get a bid somewhere, but why not take the time to maximize your options if being greek is something that you really want to do?

Yes, it does take a lot of time to gather recs--I spent a good part of the summer getting together recs for the 6 GLO's at my daughter's school, but I surely don't see it as a waste of time.

I cant believe there is that much of a difference in the finances! Isn't it a better idea to have closely competitive prices? At my campus you cant say "Well, you pay more money but you get more stuff" bc it just doesnt work....Wouldnt it be sad for a girl to join one sorority over another JUST BECAUSE of the price? (and lets be honest, it happens...)

VTMom - make sure to have your daughter ask about FINING...many chapters that fine aren't up front and honest with their costs - if she misses an event, she might be forced to pay as a "punishment." It's sad, because I've known alot of new members who have quit their sorority, due to not being properly informed of how much money it was actually going to cost (and this is the sorority's fault for not being honest about it). I was Financial VP for two years, and the way I see it, the numbers they give you should be all inclusive, with the exceptions of extras that you have a choice to, or not to participate in, such as, if you want to buy a shirt from a mixer you attended. Sadly, many sororities do not share this same way of thinking.

VTMom
As far as recommendations are concerned you may want to start talking about your daughter's intention to rush with your own friends and co-workers. You may know quite a few women who are sorority alumnae--if you bring it up to people they may offer to write a rec. for her.

amanda, i see where you are coming from, and it certainly sounds like you have firsthand knowledge, having served as a vp finances, but i have to disagree with you on having vtmom's daughter ask about fining. if a pnm asked me that, i would be worried that she might be joining a sorority just to say she was in a sorority and she was looking for the sorority who would fine the least, or has other consequences for nonparticipation.

hopefully, when girls are going thru recruitment they are not already thinking about how they are going to get out of participating in sorority activities. as an advisor, i have heard sob stories from girls who "can't pay their dues" or how"can't afford to pay their fine", but who grab a starbucks everyday, and eat out at different restaurants several times a week where the average meal costs around $15. these girls are either just bad at managing their money, or their sorority obligations are not high on their priority list.

Once she has a bid - that's the time to ask about fines. Plus, being all inclusive or not and fining are 2 totally separate issues.

I personally don't care for the all inclusive thing - I would have been very upset if part of my dues paid for a very expensive formal that for one reason or the other I didn't get to attend. IMO, unless it's mandatory, your dues shouldn't pay for it - but I know for a lot of chapters that's not feasible.

Yeah, I get your point. It just really pisses me off, because...I was trying to avoid this, but I'm gonna say it anyway....we had to cut our dues DRASTICALLY in order to remain competitive with the "published dues" of other sororities on my campus. As a result, we have to be very very frugal about everything we do, and in some instances, we do take a chapter vote to say "hey, can everybody pitch in $10 for this event?" and it's okay. But then come to find out, there have been several girls, who depledge those other sororities bc they cant afford to pay the fines for whatever reason.

So my chapter has to scrimp and save in order to have fun events because we lowered costs to remain competitive with not-accurate published prices, and PNMs get screwed bc they dont know ther full financial obligations. And of course, my chapter cant say during formal recruitment "We dont fine - what you see on that financial poster on the wall is exactly what you're going to pay" because it will make us look like catty bitches. *grr*