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Is it worth trying?
I'm a junior and want to rush. I didn't do it my freshman year because my parents wouldn't pay for it and I missed it last year because I was off campus. I know I've decided late, and today the cost to rush goes up to $90.
I've talked to a few people, and some of the sororities here don't accept more than a couple of sophomores and definitely no juniors, but some will accept juniors. I've seen a bunch of people on here, and just wanted some more opinions on whether or not I stand a chance. Thanks! HTC |
I'm not familiar with Ole Miss, but I think you need to ask yourself some questions before you decide to go through recruitment.
Why do you want to be in a sorority? You need to be able to answer this clearly if you're going to convince chapter members to invite you back. They need to know why you haven't gone through before, and "I was off campus" or "my parents wouldn't pay for it" probably won't impress them. Are you ready for the financial commitment? My guess is that Ole Miss dues are not cheap. Have you been involved on campus and know a lot of people? Do you know sorority members that will pull for you? Are your grades well above the sorority average? Bad GPA=Automatic Cut Do you have sorority alumnae on your speed dial that will write you recommendations asap? Do you have transcripts/resumes/pictures ready to send to the chapter? These are listed as requirements for membership on several chapter sites. I say it never hurts to go through if your goal is to meet people and possibly find a home. If your anwer to the last four questions are "yes" then you may have a good shot. Good luck! |
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Thanks! I'm just really nervous. I'm willing to spend the money if I stand a chance, and if I don't get anything because the sororities don't like me, not because of my year, then I'm okay with it, and I'll be glad that I at least got the experience, but if there's no way I could anything then I don't think I can justify spending the money. My roommate, who is not greek but knows a TON of people, is helping me network, so hopefully that will help. And the other thing is, no one in my family is greek. I have no idea how any of this works, and I won't be able to have my friends that are in sororities help me the whole time. |
Ole Miss = Recs are a must-have, get your family and friends on that job NOW.
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I am. It's not so easy though. No one in my family is greek, so I'm calling everyone I know trying to find as many different sororities as I can through their relatives.
Is is true that I can't get past water parties without my recs? And is more better? Or should I try to get "personal recs"? |
I'm not too familiar with the way Ole Miss recruitment works, but saying something like "I haven't really met anybody" or "I haven't been involved with anyone" may not be the best idea. Your fellow PNM's are mostly going to be coming from places where they were extremely involved, and the majority will be younger than you, so perhaps that is not the best excuse.
Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but I have heard that the invite lists for the 2nd parties are already made up before the first parties. The first cuts are going to be mostly for GPA and Recs. At some schools, if you're rushing as an upperclassman, the GPA may be a little higher. I really wish you the best of luck though! I hope everything works out for you. Please post your rush story if you decide to go through with it! |
I don't have any particular insight about Ole Miss, but I will say this: the recruitment registration fee is just the tip of the iceberg financially. If you have any reservations about paying $ 80.00 to register, you really need to figure out how you are going to feel about the $370 dollars per MONTH that the Ole Miss Greek life office suggests (http://www.olemiss.edu/greeks/PHC/financial.htm) average is typical for dues.
It's kind of shame that Greek Life costs this much, but it does. |
The lists for the second parties really can't be made before the first parties. While I don't know how any other sorority except my own makes membership decisions, I'll just say that would very much violate our rules. That doesn't mean, of course, that sororities don't have a pretty darn good idea of whom they would like to see on that list.
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You might get in and you might not but at least you won’t have to wonder “what if.” If you do decide to go through, keep an open mind and keep trying to find recs.
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I registered this morning. Now I'm scrambling to find people who can do recs for me. I'm excited! Water parties are tomorrow, and I have no clue what to wear! Someone said jeans and a tee-shirt? Any one know for sure? And I will definitely post my rush story.
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I really don't want to be negative or rain on your parade but I have to say that if recruitment starts tomorrow, good luck getting recs today. The sororities have been receiving recs (probably) all summer and even if you can get recs today, the sororities will see that you waited until the last minute to get them in.
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Water parties are tomorrow, but formal recruitment isn't until Sept. 23. I know that impressions will still be made before then, but surely I can't be the last person to register. It's open until Sept. 14.
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They stretch recruitment out for a month? How does that work? What are water parties? Good luck!
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From what I understand it's kind of just a "test the waters" type thing. No decorations, nothing fancy, just water and girls. I'm still learning, though, so anybody feel free to correct me!
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My guess is that rush as a junior is pretty tough.
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My personal opinion may come off as harsh, but take it for what it's worth.
Most of the ladies rushing will be freshmen with very high GPAs, lots of extracurriculars and recommendations. A lot of those freshmen are going to be cut severely in the first few rounds. At this school and as a junior, you're also going to receive some severe cuts. Not having recs is going to hurt you. Please don't take any of these cuts personally. Put this idea into your mindset right now: Being cut does not mean they did not like you or that you're not good enough. It's just the nature of this section process. In regard to these circumstances, I would be very surprised, but very happy for you, if you receive a bid. I do hope that you do receive a bid, but remember that the chances of this are small at such a competitive school. I urge you to go into this process with the interest to join "a" sorority, and not fixate on one or two that it seems you love or everyone else loves after the first round. These are all good-sized chapters; you could make friends and have a good experience with any of these groups. Lastly, please look at the long-term costs you will be assuming by taking out a loan to pay for a social activity. What are you actually paying once you have paid off all of the interest? Your $1000 loan may end up costing you closer to $1500 when all is said and done. Other options: a part time job, a loan from mom and dad that you can pay back over the summer, etc? Please think this through. I do wish you the best of luck with recruitment. Remember to be realistic, but most of all, have fun! |
Off-topic...
I was looking at the Recruitment website for Ole Miss and it clearly states:
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I know it doesn't specifically state "ALL PNMs NEED A REC," but if CPCs are bound by that darn 1992 resolution saying that sororities cannot imply that a rec is needed in order to rush, why is it okay to ask for them here at Ole Miss and not at Auburn? Sorry for the questions. This whole drama with parents not knowing their daughters needed recs to rush at SEC schools has definitely piqued my curiosity. |
Good point. It isn't that they need the recs to rush... they need the recs to join. I think that is the difference when a CPC posts on their web site that recs are not necessary -- the CPC honors the NPC resolution that obligates chapters to secure the recs. And the chapters are securing the recs-- from the PNMs! I think it is smart that Ole Miss's CPC web site is specifying that the the individual chapters would like recs, transcripts and photos. The CPC isn't asking for those things-- the chapters are asking for them (asking rather than stating they are required).
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I'm trying to be really level-headed and realistic about this whole thing. I know as a junior, I'll have to work harder to get a bid, if I even can, but I'll also be excited just to have experienced rush and gotten a taste of greek life. I know it's not going to feel good getting cut, but I'm prepping myself for that. Getting a loan from my parents is an awesome idea! I will definitely have to talk to them about it, because it'll be better than a real loan with interest and whatnot. Since I'm living off campus, how am I supposed to find out who my gamma chi is? |
Maybe you have already answered this but do you have close friends in any of the chapters?
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I have a couple of friends that are . and one who is a .. The girl in . said they take two sophomores and no juniors, and I heard . have taken juniors for the past few years. I know girls in a couple of other sororities, but none that I would consider "close friends." Most of the people I know are non-greek...
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Go with whatever the website suggests, and probably even kick that up a notch (but don't OVERDO). If the web says jeans and a nice top, I would lean towards kahkis/capris and a nice top. Maybe even a longer jeanskirt (but realize that you may either end up sitting on the floor, or sitting in a chair with someone sitting on the floor in front of you). Lastly, normally we recommend Jrs in SEC Rush to KEEP AN OPEN MIND and accept whatever bid you get and be lucky that you got one...however if you in fact do need to take out a loan to pay for it, be VERY sure that you feel at least somewhat comfortable with the house before doing something so drastic.:):) |
I'm definitely going to be sure I like the girls in whichever, if any, sororities I get a bid from. I don't know if I would be willing to take out a loan if I'm only luke-warm toward the girls. I don't know, I guess I'll figure that out later.
My recs are slowing starting to come together. I found out who my gamma chis are and I'm very excited. I talked to a different gamma chi, and I told her I'd heard jeans & tee, and also a sundress. She said shorts and a tee-shirt, but I'm thinking khaki shorts and a cute, conservative, not "going out" top. Maybe a polo type shirt? I'm going to have to dig through my closet tonight, or maybe go shopping. My bf said I should bring outfits with different levels of dressy and change ASAP if I notice girls are dressed not in shorts and cute tops. Good idea, maybe? And thank you to everyone who has posted in here! Y'all have been so helpful! |
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MSKKG and OleMissGlitter are both Ole Miss sorority alumnae. Maybe they could provide you with some advice. Also, do a search. I think there are some general threads about Ole Miss rush. I'm sure there'll be more talk about it on this site as it gets closer.
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Thanks KSU! I did send OleMissGlitter a pm earlier, but I'll definitely contact MSKKG.
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My niece is going through rush at Ole Miss and said they are supposed to wear a rush t-shirt they ordered when they registered. If you hadn't registered yet, they recommended just any plain t-shirt. They stressed shorts and t-shirts for the water parties as it is hot. This isn't the normal rush parties, as the houses don't know who is coming with each group and they aren't allowed to have their house decorated.
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I just heard that I was supposed to wear a philanthopy shirt from one Kappa, but another turned around and told me that was for philanthrophy round, which makes since. When I registered, I had the option to either just register, or to register and order a shirt. I ordered a shirt, but that was this AM. And how am I supposed to get in the Greek Life office tomorrow to get it? And I had an outfit picked out too. :( The phone numbers I got for my gamma chis are both duds. |
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When you say the phone numbers are duds do you mean they're plain wrong and don't connect to a phone at all or it just goes to voicemail? |
My gamma chi called!! She said to just wear something I would wear to class (running shorts, tee shirt) and hopefully they will have rush shirts to pass out tomorrow. She seems so sweet and I feel so much better about this whole thing! I have to be there at one tomorrow. So excited!
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And to answer my own question, this is definitely going to be worth it!
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Yes Water Parties are very LAID back. No frills at all for the PNMs (Potential New Members) and the Actives at the houses. No decorations, nothing like that. Wear COMFORTABLE SHOES because you will walk to all 9 houses tomorrow to get a little preview of each house. (Kind of like an open house). Here are recruitment dates:
What are the recruitment dates? Early Bird Registrations Starts: May 14, 2007 Early Bird Registration Ends: August 24, 2007 Water Parties: Sunday August 26, 2007 @ 2:00 PreConvocation: Monday August 27, 2007 @5 Registration Deadline: September 7, 2007 Care Walk: September 20, 2007 Convocation: September 23, 2007 Philanthropy parties: Wednesday and Thursday September 26th and 27th Skit parties: Friday September 28th Pref Parties: Saturday September 29th BID DAY: Sunday September 30th Have fun on Sunday! Hopefully there won't be any scattered showers like today! |
One of the things I would consider putting down in the recruitment forms is some type of explanation as to why you waited until your junior year. Many of the sororities will think that you just want the letters and will not put a lot of effort into the sorority and will blow off events and stuff. Long story short -- you need to "spin" your class year so that it is positive. Maybe, based on your previous posts, you could spin it by saying that you feel strongly about not committing to things that you don't know you can follow through on and say that in previous years you didn't want to commit to a sorority if you weren't sure it was within your budget. Then state that you have saved up money or something because it is important to you. I think if any sorority is willing to consider a junior, they would be more likely to do so in that situation.
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Water parties were today, and it was so much fun! I had so many great experiences. I'm going to start a rush thread if anyone is interested.
Andrea- that is an awesome way to put it. Thank you so much! A lot of the girls were really supportive of the fact that I was a junior. I know a girl who graduated last year, and she said half of her pledge class was juniors, so I feel better about everything. I'm just so excited and can't wait until formal recruitment starts! |
YES! PLEASE tell us about the Water Partes!!! We've been waiting ALL DAY!
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I'm sure it's an exaggeration, but it definitely made me feel better.
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From all the stuff I've read here...I may be out of line for saying this, but there's NWIH half a pledge class would consist of just Juniors at Ole Miss or any SEC school for that matter. But awesome that it made you feel better. |
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