Junior Quota
 

It is increasingly more difficult to gain admission to colleges/universities as a freshman, which means an increase of junior transfers. Are there any campuses that have a "junior transfer quota" or a program in place to encourage houses to pledge upper classmen?

I just want to make sure I am reading your post correctly. Am I correct that you are saying that upper classmen on those campuses would not figure into the equations for release figures?

When I was at TCU we could take one junior for "free," which means they did not count towards quota. The junior did not have to be a transfer and chapters were under no obligation to actually take one. My chapter only took one junior the entire time that I was there.

So they are in the release figure calculations but do not count against quota. So then upperclassmen would figure in almost like a quota addition?

I know that at the University of Southern California, each chapter gets 2 free juniors (but that is far below the number of juniors that actually rush). At UCLA this past year they did separate quotas for each year, I do not currently know if they are planning on repeating that for next year's recruitment.

Different universities do it differently. Some include upperclassmen in the release figures and then pull them out before bid matching. Some treat them separately from day one. Some count sophomores, juniors, and seniors together. It all depends on the local Panhellenic.

Non freshman PNMs that go through recruitment at schools that have an upperclassmen (non-freshman) quota are competing against other non-freshmen. So, if a chapter likes a non-freshman, they wouldn't feel the pressure to release her because of her class standing.

does anyone know if ucla is gonna keep their upperclassmen quota this fall?

UCLA actually had two quotas - one for freshmen, and one for all combined sophomores, juniors and seniors (if any).

UCLA Panhellenic is planning to keep the two quota system since it seems to have helped place more women. Most chapters took somewhere in the mid 40's for their new pledge classes in 2008, up from the mid- to high-30's in 2007.

FROM THE UGA PANHELLENIC COUNCIL WEBSITE

NEW!! UPPERCLASSMEN QUOTA FAQs

What is an upperclassmen quota?

An upperclassmen quota is a seperate quota that is used to specifically place upperclassmen Potential New Members.It makes the recruiment process more friendly!

Why are we using an upperclassmen quota for Fall Recruitment 2009?

It gives upperclassmen and transfer students a greater opportunity to pledge during the Formal Recruiment process.

How will you determine if I am an upperclassmen?

We will determine if you are an upperclassmen based on your high school graduation date. If you graduated in Spring 2009 then you will considered a freshman and if you graduated any time before that you will be considered an upperclassmen. If you feel that you have special circumstances please get with the Panhellenic Council.

If I am an upperclassmen will the process be different?

No, the process will be no different for you!

I think the UGA Upperclassmen quota is excellent.^^

I can tell you that things have changed dramatically in the state of Florida over time. It is getting tougher and tougher to get into the Universities as many more people live in Florida and want to continue their schooling here, admission standards have increased, stronger applicant pool, and so many out of staters/foreigners want to attend school in Florida as well. This creates a problem for many young women who want to go to a university (and partake in recruitment) and must take an alternate route to get into the university. These situations do not mean the women aren't great candidates to have been admitted in the first place. They have strong GPAs, activities, and are children of donating alums to the university, but for whatever reasoning they are passed over. I have seen this every single year and it is just awful.

Some attend a smaller, private school first and transfer in. Some attend community school for a semester, a year, or complete a two year degree and transfer in. Some attend community school their senior year and then go into a university later with higher class standing. These situations then change a recruitment situation for the women. It has becomes quite common and it would be nice to have an upperclassmen quota to allow great young women a chance to become involved in many of our wonderful organizations.

Agreed! With the recent 15% tuition hike, all the Florida universities are harder to get into. Personally, I was an upperclassman during my new member process because I was a transfer student. It is becoming more common, but still at some schools freshmen are sometimes chosen over upperclassmen. Read the recruitment threads on here, go into recruitment with your mind open, and be yourself!

I am soooo happy about GPhiBLtCol's news! Every year, it's harder to get into UGa and we Greeks are missing out on some prime candidates for sisterhood by overlooking upperclassmen. Spring recruitment last year brought some great women into our system--I know that the Pi Phis were thrilled with our new members--but a semi-formal spring rush wasn't easy. This should be a win-win setup! :)