Hello
 

Hi,

My daughter will be going through recruitment in a few weeks. I'm a nervous Nelly about it. She doesn't seem to think it's a big deal (luckily) and isn't nervous at all.

She has good grades (3.9), somewhat involved in HS, easy to talk to., takes care of herself and is pretty, but she isn't "into" looks or clothes. I don't think she has any idea of the intensity and she isn't too interested in looking into the process. I mentioned that she would likely get cut from some houses - there are 15 or 16, and she was a bit offended that I would think that. Of course, I think she is great, but I think she needs to be prepared that lots of girls get cut for a myriad of reasons and it's not personal. Should I just leave it alone or say something more to her? I just don't want her to be blindsided.

Hi and welcome!

I think the question that would help us give the best advice is which school she's at or at least which conference...if it's an SEC school, then rush can be really brutal and she needs to be prepared - SEC schools are tough even for girls who go into rush prepared and connected. If it's a small school where sororities are laid back, it's another story.

If you can share at least the conference or type of school, plenty of folks here can help!

She will be at The University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I have heard it is pretty competitive, but nothing like SEC. I heard last year around 1100 went through and 600 pledged. Grade cut offs are extremely high for many of the houses -- I've heard 3.5, which seems nuts. I see her in a house with smart, maybe a bit nerdy type of girls. The stereotypical "barbie type" screaming sorority girl is not her thing and that would not impress her. I know all the houses sing/chant - that will be a turn off for her.

I should add that the majority of the girls who get don't get bids drop from the process if they get cut from a house they want. I have even heard that some girls sign up for recruitment just so they can move in early, when they don't really have much of an intention of pledging. Still, I don't think it's an easy process there.

I'm not a Big 10 expert, so I will let those who are chime in. One thing I agree with you about is that there could be many cuts if Nebraska is at all remotely competitive as you say (without being crazy competitive).

Is she prepared with recs?

She has recs to the majority of the houses there. They say recs are not at all important there except for 2 of the houses (Chi O & DG) - and those 2 she has recs for along with 10+ others. She is a legacy to 1 house. I'm not comfortable saying which one, but I think it'd be a great fit for her. Of course, I'm telling her to keep an open mind and go with the houses she feels most comfortable with. They have a "Greek Preview" day there, and she was very surprised that her legacy house was one of her favorites.

Welcome! Pull up a stool at the mom’s table—we're here for you—it’s rough!