exceptions to acceptance
 

i am in a real panic right now.

have any of you current members accepted someone whose gpa was slightly lower than your min.? lets say that the min. is 2.5 and the pmn has a 2.39 and you really like her. would you cut her due to grades?

Most sororities meet exceptional women in recruitment who do not meet their grade requirement and will make an exception to admit these women. They will work closesly with you in your first semeter/qtr to develop good study habits and to bring up your GPA.

It also depends if the chapter is on or on the verge of probation for being under grades as a whole chapter. Some sisters may not want to take a new member who is a grades risk, and some may think her assets outweigh the chance. I didn't have the greatest G.P.A. either, and I was worried about this and brought it up with my Rho Chi-- you can ask her. When I went through recruitment some chapters had a minimum of 2.8, and even though I was nowhere near that, I made it all the way to one of those houses' preference, so don't panic! And my grades actually went up after I joined.

If they REALLY like a woman, but she doesn't make grades, they will probably try to take them. Depends on the school though, and the chapter.

Some groups may have to get special permission from a national officer.

Also, it really is a concern to most of them, because if you don't make grades while a sister, you'll be on academic bad standing (at least speaking for KD policy) and you can't participate in a lot of the activities.

Use this as motivation to get that GPA up!! Once you find your sisters, you'll want to help your chapter be the best in all ways...through service, through enthusiasm, and through scholarship! Hang in there, smiley21. Didn't you say in another thread that you DO meet or surpass the minimum for some of the sororities?

Erica

If the woman can get past the Panhell requirement to recruit, I would say it's a definite possibility the chapter might make an exception. Usually, PNMs are cut for grades early on, so it's important that the PNM make a great impression during the first round or so.

right now, i only made the min. of one org.

During formal recruitment that's actually the only way a girl can get cut for 2nd party. It's kind of a weird way of judging, but I think it's because they really don't have anything else to base the PNM on after just knowing her for an hour or so. More often than not a girl will be invited back by all of the sororities, but some have "outgoing high school GPA requirements" that aren't found out about until after first party. That's what happened with me when I went through formal and it kind of hurt to know that I was cut from ABC on such a technicality considerring I had gotten along with them so well during first party and on Greek Info Night.

As for Phi Gam personally: we have the lowest GPA requirement and we'd make an exception in a heart beat if we knew a girl would make a wonderful sister.

I really don't remember Chi O National policy (even though I was rush chair!). But I know my specific chapter would not make exceptions for a girl who did not meet our gpa requirement. Like LoudChick's org., it was the factor we used to make cuts after Round 1. The only exception would be for a legacy - and even then we would have probably had to cut her after Round 2 (I say probably because the situation had never come up that I know of). We set the rule of cutting for grades so that it never had to be an issue. Never would the chapter be torn apart by a girl some loved but didn't have the grades. It made the situation very cut and dry - if harsh. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I think a lot of groups are like this. :(

Although, before dropping the idea of rush for this semester, check with your Panhel and Rho chis - they may be able to clue you in on the policies of the chapters at UNF. Good luck, smiley!

Delta Zeta has a GPA requirement policy that we do not make exceptions for. We simply cannot bid a woman who does not meet our GPA reqirement.

A lot of times there will be a national GPA requirement that all chapters absolultely must obey. However, many chapters are highly encouraged to increase their minimum GPA in their chapter bylaws. So if you fall between the national and chapter, there might be a chance for an exception.

But unless you had VERY extenuating circumstance (such as severe illness, death in immediate family, etc). it's not likely that they'd even be able to get special permission.

I don't know much about UNF's rush, but if they're adding a new chapter (KD) this year, i'd imagine that there's a lot of girls and it's pretty competitive, so it may be very difficult for you to overcome.

Also, if your grades are that low, perhaps it's not a good time for you to be joining a sorority. The time you'd be spending with the sorority may be better used in studying and bringing up your grades. Your grades and your future are much more important.

Re: exceptions to acceptance
 

smiley21 I know at my school several of the chapters lower the grade standard during formal recruitment because we are suposed to cut for grades the first day, that way they give great girls with lower grades a chance. Let them see your winning personality and other stong points.

I think I only made grades by 1/1000th of a point this past semester. I would be lying to say schools my thing because it isn't.

Even with my grades am still envolved and I have been selected for several university honors and have a great job. Actually this past semester I was selected as panhellenic counsel acdemic chairwoman, irionic isn't it?

My chapter, like other chapters mentioned, cuts for grades after the first night. However, I'm confused--at my school I happen to know the GPAs required for all 5 groups and the highest is a 2.33... I thought these numbers were set nationally?? I know that at W&L the school requires you to have a 2.0 to rush (we have a deferred rush) and then all the groups but one have a 2.25 rule to initiate, except for the 2.33 group... so are these national numbers or local numbers?

While every sorority cuts for grades the first night, exceptions ARE made if a woman has really clicked with the chapter, regardless of the sorority affiliation. Many chapters stick strictly to their grades-only policy, depending on their chapter overall GPA, size of the chapter, etc., but the sorority is looking overall at the well-rounded woman and if someone sticks out in their mind who is all-around wonderful but doesn't have the grades, they sometimes will make an exception.

Smiley21, I encourage you to go through recruitment this year. If you do not feel as though you could see yourself as a sister to the chapters who have asked you to Pref, don't commit to them by signing your bid card, get your grades up and go through recruitment again, either through informal or formal.

Good luck to you!

the grades that i have made in recent semesters have been good. its just that from a mistake i made two years ago, my gpa suffered. i have no problem with the commitment to my studies. i know that if i joined a sorority, i could still do well in school and be a great member. i just want a chance. i am still rushing this fall.

rush at unf is not very competitive from what i hear. there is a very laid back atmosphere. the org's are just getting large so its time for a new org.