Re-Rushing at Alabama
 

So I'm going to be an a sophomore at The University of Alabama and am considering re-rushing.
I went through rush at the beginning of my freshman year and ended up getting dropped after philanthropy day.

Considering the fact I did have high GPA and recs for all houses, I feel like this was due to the fact I was extremely shy and probably did a horrid time making a first impression.

I have been thinking about re-rushing for a while but as it's very last minute, I do not think I'd have time to secure recs for houses again.

A big part of me still wants to be part of Greek Life and I was wondering if any of y'all had opinions on whether I should or not?

Thanks

If you haven't gotten recs, and haven't made CLOSE friendships with any sorority women over the past year, IMO re-rushing would be a huge waste of your time and money right now.

Look into other extracurriculars at the university that you may feel more comfortable in.

I agree. Recs are not typically held over from year to year. You'd have to start over on them.

Which you could do if you remember who wrote them last year, and have another packet ready to hand them.
But you'd have to start TODAY.

Some alumnae will jump through hoops to help you, and others won't or can't. You should at least be able to get some recs together if you start right this minute.

Since you are shy, you may want to also ask alumnae you know for advice and tips on recruitment conversations. That may make you a bit more confident during recruitment. Mentally and emotionally, you should prepare for the worst, and then whatever happens could be a pleasant surprise. If you want this, it could be your last realistic chance.

If you have a couple hundred dollars lying around without a better purpose, and don't mind squandering a week of your life and won't be heartbroken over getting cut, go for it. Worst case scenario, you get dropped again.

However, I think of all the books I could buy with that money and all that time I could be reading and it makes me sad to waste it. /bookworm rant

If you don't change something, you're going to get the same result. I'd hate to see you miss out, but you need to go into overdrive, ESPECIALLY where it applies to conversation skills. There are lots of threads on this issue, but as far as I'm concerned, here are some key points:
1-have 3 stories in your back pocket to tell about yourself. Practice them a little so you aren't umming and aaahing too much, but not so rehearsed that it sounds rehearsed.
2-the obvious questions, major, where do you live, what did you do over the summer, what clubs are you in, etc., have an answer for that is not equivocal. I am an English major focusing on 19th century lit, not well, I'm still thinking about being an English major, but I don't really know what I want to do with it... BORING.
3-You are selling yourself. This is no time to be passive or self-deprecating. You of course have to balance between confidence and arrogance, but, well, I don't really know anything or I don't have a boyfriend because boys don't like me or I didn't get to do anything over the summer because I'm poor.... BORING.
4-Words are your friend, but too many words are your enemy. This is why you want to prepare conversation templates. If you ramble on forever trying to find the point, BORING! But you don't want to give 1 word answers either. That sweet spot is what you get from practice.

IF you can get your hands on an alumna who is willing to practice with you, that would be ideal. In lieu of that, grab a girlfriend or your mother who will critique you. In lieu of that, just start talking to strangers. You can get a hint that you are causing their eyes to gloss over or you are saying something awkward.

Also read this thread. Good advice not just for recruitment but social situations in general.

Also, read this and evaluate your friendships, expectations for recruitment, etc.

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...d.php?t=135221

Thank you for the advice, I greatly appreciate it!