Greek Transition HELP!
 

Hey everyone! I'm a Senior in high school still, but I will be signing my favorite house this Thursday (Yayy!!)

Lately I've been thinking about how I'll be moving out this Fall and living in the house.. And I've started to think about the major changes that will occur...

I was just hoping that maybe you guys could share your transition to greek life stories... moving in the house, what to expect, major differences from living at home, the good things, the bad things, etc...

For me, I've always been a bit spoiled (only child) and have never had to share things (bathroom, bedroom, possessions, etc) so I'm expecting major changes and just praying that I'll be prepared enough to adapt.

Soooo... Prepare me please!! :D

As always, any advice or opinions are greatly appreciated.

I'll let you all know how Thursday goes!

Thanks much,
-Matt

Umm... still in high school and signing? This is possible?

Signing my bid. Sorry for the confusion. -- And yes this is possible, informal fraternity rush at my school is year-round. I've been rushing since the beginning of Fall.

No, I understand completely what you're saying. I just thought the fraternities had to wait until summer Rush, if that's allowed at the school.

Impossible I say!! :p

I could be wrong, but unless it's some local group, I do not see how this could be legit.

I'm not sure about regulations or anything. This is a national fraternity. I've gotten 4 bids so far but I'm signing my choice house this Thursday... So i'm pretty sure it is possible. I'm their first rushee and first person to sign for Fall so far though.

--

There are just under 30 fraternities on my campus. Of those, in all the time I've been rushing I've only been able to check out 7. Since guys aren't like formal sorority rush, it would be very difficult to make a wise choice on a house if you DIDNT rush early. It is my understanding that a fraternity may extend a bid at any time during the year.

Thx

I don't think it's the time of year that everyone is confused about. It's the fact that you have not yet graduated...how does that work?

This one throws me also!

A school with just under 30 Fraternities is a damn large school, period.

I am planning on talking with a couple young men who are going to my Alma Mater, but cannot be signed/pinned until the appropriate rush period.

I too would like to find out a lot more about this! I dont know any school with that large of a Fraterity population, that doesnt have some sort of rush schedual. Maybe pre rush, but not signing a bid card per say.

That's how the major schools in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska do it. There may be other states that have recruitment like this also. They have rush parties throughout the state, and the pledge classes move right into the house as freshman.

I wasn't sure if this was still practiced; however, I have been out of the loop for a while.

In any case, "back in the day", some fraternities would extend bids to high school seniors. The basic criteria was that you had been accepted to or you were enrolled in the school.

Depending on the school, your bid usually was not binding until you were technically enrolled. If it turned out that you did not actually attend the school, then the bid was revoked. (Duh) Often a school would have an "official" bid date - could be in the summer, often in the fall - when the school recognized the bid.

Historically, these bids were issued to men who lived in the area (hometown, or nearby town), or have a high profile. (academic, athletic, community service) And most are given to men who have connections to the chapter. Either they are a legacy, have current friends in the chapter, and or alumni from their town give them a high recommendation. Basically, the idea is to get the men the chapter knows they want, locked in now.

FYI: I have also heard the term "tapping" used for pre-college bids. As in "Dakota has been *tapped* to join ABC." The *bid* would be extended either during the summer or fall depending on the school's policy.

I guess my initial topic isn't gonna be addressed lol but thats OK!

Yeah I'm not really sure how this works, I do have friends in the house and I've gotten to know many of the members pretty well...

I know that within the last few weeks, many of the fraternities have had rush parties (for Fall 04) They're largely populated by local HS seniors since it is in the middle of the school year. I was told that before going through the rush lists, the local actives like to call up the local high school guys and rush them because they most likely know them and have an idea what they are like... That was most likely the case with me, except I contacted them via a rush form. (rush lists weren't even around until recently)

I was told that their main recruitment is during the summer where they'll have rush parties, tailgates, floating trips, etc... But they can recruit year-round.

As far as if the bid I'm getting is official or not, I'm not sure. I assumed it was. I was talked to my friend Ryan, he asked when I would sign and I told him as soon as he gave me a bid. He told me it was already taken care of and that this Thursday they were planning on taking me our to any restaurant of my choice (on the house) and presenting me with a bid... I was told that the bid was just a standard bid card in which I'd get a carbon copy... And thats about as much as I know....

THe point is, Whether it is an actual bid or a napkin I'm signing, it doesn't matter. They are saying that they want me to join and It looks that I'll be able to be a part of my choice house! Which is a huge deal for me, and I'm excited about it.. :D

-Matt

I've never heard of this. But, even if it is permitted, I don't think it's a good idea. How about letting high school students get acclimated to college, focus on their studiess, and THEN consider "transitioning into Greekdom."

My advice to the original poster would be to arrange your priorities in that order. You might also find that "transitioning into Greekdom," before you "transition into college," may be overwhelming.

Good luck and remember your real purpose.

Your last paragraph is disturbing. Whether or not the bid is real or a napkin can be the difference between whether this whole thing is fake (against regulation and you won't actually be a recognized member, in the end) or real (you'll be officially recognized as a member because this whole process was in accordance to regulation).

Do these organizations have to comply with university regulations, or anything? You might want to make sure this whole thing is credible and official.

As I said in my previous post, I think recruiting from high school populations is a bust. But, since you're so excited about this whole thing and set on doing it, at least make sure it's real.

ChaosDST,

This is the way that this has been done in part of the country for a hundred years. Its official, with the school, and its part of the local culture. If you want to see what the regulations are, go to the websites for the Universities of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas or Nebraska. I'm sure that at least one of these schools has it posted.

This is what KU's website says regarding IFC recruitment....(i've bolded the appropriate parts.

To participate in the University of Kansas fraternity recruitment process, please complete the Information Card, or call the Interfraternity Council (IFC) at (785) 864-3559. The IFC will then distribute your name and biographical information to each fraternity with the expectation that you will be contacted by them. It is important that you remain actively involved in the recruitment process. IFC recommends that you visit as many chapters as possible, which will give you a better basis for comparison when it is time to make your decision on which chapter to join. Ninety percent of all men who join fraternities do so during their freshman year. More than 500 incoming freshmen will join fraternities by the time school starts.

The Interfraternity Council (IFC) sponsors two organized recruitment programs: Informal, and Formal Recruitment.

Informal Recruitment
Fraternities host recruitment events throughout the school year, and you are encouraged to attend as many events as possible. Informal Recruitment takes place throughout the school year and as fraternities invite men to visit and learn about their fraternities through activities ranging from sporting events to open houses for parents. The atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable, and events are conducted on a chapter-by-chapter basis. However, prospective members still have the opportunity to see other fraternities and ask questions. Fraternities are allowed to recruit interested high school and college students throughout the year. Men already attending KU, as well as transfer students can join a fraternity at any time during the year. High school students who have been accepted to KU cannot join a fraternity until May 4, 2003.
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While KU specifies a date, maybe his school allows the same process just with earlier dates. Spring recruitment is a normal thing around here.