USC Rush
 

Hey!
I'm going to be a freshman at USC next year (yay!) and I was just wondering what it's like to rush if you're from out of state. I live in texas so I've seen how important connections are for getting a bid from sororities at UT. Unfortunately I don't know more than 5 people at USC right now and my mom wasn't greek. I'm friendly and outgoing and can make friends easily but I'm so afraid I'll get cut first round because nobody knows who I am.

Could anybody tell me if USC rush is like UT rush in that way or just offer some advice? thanks!

southern california

Ohhhh shoot, is it ellebud or her daughter who went/is going to USC?

USC rush is quite competitive. You definitely need recs. That's all I know and will let other more informed individuals give you more info. :)

Have you signed up with your local Alumnae Panhellenic? That's a good first step towards getting recs.

The Texas Panhellenics do a GREAT job of putting together rec packets for their women whether they are going to a Texas school or out-of-state. They will be having events soon, so get in touch your local group right away. USC comes as close to a southern rush as it gets out west, so recs will really help you out.

You don't have to know people at USC and your mother doesn't have to be Greek. Friends of your parents, teachers, Sunday school teachers, coaches, employers, etc are all good places to look for recs. If you find a member of XYZ, she'll probably know some others she can refer you to. Network!

Being from out-of-state also shouldn't hurt you at USC. As a strong private school it attracts students from all over. The only advantage in-state students might have is that they might know some of the girls in a few houses.

My daughter went through recruitment at USC last fall. (I pledged too...but that was in the time of the dinosaurs.) My older daughter went through as well, but she did not pledge. It is a very competitive recruitment. My daughter had an "advantage" because she knew one or two girls in three of the houses. She went into recruitment with 3 recs. And she had a very successful recruitment. I think that recs would be really importent for you since you might not...yet...have a base here.

I think that you are probably more saavy about recruitment than my daughter was when she rushed. But if you have any questions for me pm me and I will get the answer for you from my daughter if I don't know it. You can read her story (that I wrote with her permission) called the Reluctant PMN.

*paging ellebud*

to the OP: do a search using ellebud's name for some excellent threads on USC recruitment.

I did a very fast skim of my daughter's pledge class. There are at least 4 girls from Texas, several international, and 12 to 14 (sorry I really skimmed), girls from out of state ranging from Washington, Maine, Arizona and beyond. I know in other houses that they pledged girls from all over the US and international as well.