Rushing as a Sophomore at Miami (Ohio)
 

Hey guys,
My name is Ariel, and I'll be a Sophomore this year at Miami University of Ohio. I absolutely loved my first year there, but I focused very hard on grades so I did not want to do rush in Spring 2010. Most of my friends rushed, and the majority of them in sororities and are loving it!

I've made a lot of great friends so far, but I was considering rushing this year. I was wondering about Sophomore recruitment at Miami, and if any of the many sororities on campus absolutely not accept Sophomores. I know a lot of girls in most of the groups, and I'll definitely be keeping an open mind when it comes to going through the process and finding the perfect fit. I'm excited to see whats out there, but I was curious as to whether or not it is impossible to get a bid as a second year student.

Thanks a lot! <3

Your options will be somewhat limited as a sophomore, but it's certainly not impossible to get a bid. The most helpful thing for you would be knowing women in the chapters who can vouch for you -- I know with my chapter (ADPi) and my younger sister's chapter (Theta), the sophomores we took were GENERALLY friends with a lot of chapter members, often living in the sorority's corridor.

I can't tell you whether or not there are chapters that never accept sophomores, because I don't know -- but you need to keep an open mind about every chapter. Miami's recruitment is competitive and being a sophomore is a disadvantage, so you'll head for heartbreak if you get your heart set on a few particular chapters.

I do not know much about this campus but AXiD should be returning next year and will likely be looking for upper classman if you do not get a bid from a chapter this year. You could keep that in mind if things do not work out this year.

Your options will be more limited, and you will need to keep an open mind. That being said, there are sophomores who receive bids every year and go on to have a great experiences in their sororities. Don't listen to the "tent talk", pre recruitment gossip about chapters. Keep an open mind. If you have your heart set on one or two sororities, you may be disappointed.

As ADQtPiMel says, this is a competitive campus. Get yourself involved fall quarter and keep your grades up. Miami is also competitive academically, and a dismal GPA will tank a sophomore recruitment. They will be looking at your college GPA and activities.

Show up well groomed and ready to talk to actives at the fall open recruitment events such as the coke dates, etc. They are well publicized so make sure you are there looking good and enthusiastic to learn about the sororities.

Get recs. Now is the time to gather them for January recruitment.

Yes. I forgot about the coke dates (they started them my senior year). Go to as many of them as you can. It will help you so much to know women in the chapters. And recs aren't totally foreign at Miami, but they're just unusual enough that it may help you get noticed.

ADQtPiMel, I miss being an advisor there!! Now I don't even know any of the actives....boo.

Coke dates are usually one or two sororities together so they aren't as crowded/crazy and you really do get to meet some people. The actives WANT to get to know people during the fall quarter, so don't be shy. Always behave classy on High Street. People ARE WATCHING.

I'm totally out of the loop now too -- my sister graduated in 2010 and my best friend, who had been an advisor for ADPi, moved out of the country. So I don't have anyone left in Oxford to give me the scoop!