Remaining Options
 

I am a sophomore attending Ole Miss who recently went through recruitment for the first time. After the first round, I was invited back to three fraternities, two of which I knew weren't for me. The third happened to be the house I had been most impressed with on campus, and happened to be a prominent house here. Admittedly I only knew a few of the guys going into rush week and wasn't exceedingly close with any of them, but the house felt... right. I decided to only return to said fraternity for the second round. I had a great time and really felt like I could be brothers with all of the men I talked to, and really connected with the values of the house. When asked, I told a few of the guys I had only chosen to return to their house. The next morning, after being kept up by the prospect of getting cut, I received the dreaded knock on my door. The recruitment advisers informed me I had been released, gave me the standard speech on how I hadn't done anything wrong, that I just might not have known enough guys or something, then said that if I still really wanted to be Greek there would be Continuous Open Bidding then Spring rush. I would like to pursue these opportunities, but I don't fully understand them and was hoping for an explanation. Also, I was wondering if there is any way to find out why the house cut me or why I wasn't invited back to certain houses after the first round. I also was wondering if there is a way to maybe get to know the guys in my favorite house better in the next few months and see if there might be another chance there. I'm really just looking for any way to understand what I did wrong during the rounds and how I can improve and how I can still be Greek. Thank you.

We can't tell you why you were not invited back, and quite frankly you probably don't want to know.

Ask your recruitment advisors to explain COB and spring rush to you if you don't understand them (people you know > people on the interwebz). you can certainly choose to keep pursuing the favorite chapter that released you, but I think you would be wise to direct your energy elsewhere.

You got invited back to only 3 of the 14 chapters after the 1st round. Probably because you are a sophomore. You admit you really didn't really know the guys in prominent house and this combined with soph status probably resulted in them cuting you. If this really is a prominent house it is unlikely they will take a second look at you and also unlikely they will do COB or spring rush. Give up on these guys. They don't want you. Look someplace else.

They only have 14 fraternities at Ole Miss? Are they all ginourmous?

/tangent

Very sorry this happened. Ole Miss is a competitive recruitment as you well know. A lot of people from my community attend Ole Miss and most all go through recruitment. Your sophomore standing may have hurt you, but I do know of sophomores who have had successful recruitments there -- so all hope isn't lost, though your options may be more limited.

First, contact Greek Life or IFC to find out how COB and Spring Rush work and what you need to do to participate in them. Contact them now in the event COB opportunities are starting soon.

As for pursuing the house you were interested in, that is up to you, but don't do it at the exclusion of other fraternities. You need to be very open minded in fiercely competitive recruitments like Ole Miss, especially considering that you are a sophomore. You might want to take a second look at the other two houses that invited you back. Many people have found happy homes in chapters they initially didn't think were right for them.

Meet as many fraternity men as you can. If a chapter is having an open party or other event that welcomes all students, that could be a good opportunity to meet some of the brothers. Also, classes, in the dorm, other extra-curricular activities...all can offer chances to reach out and meet new people.

Again, finding out how to take part in COB and Spring Rush is the first order of business. You want to make sure you're on board and ready, plus getting released is a big disappointment -- being proactive and determining your next step can make you feel better as you move on. Best wishes to you!