Return Rates
 

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Are return rates determined by the number of girls coming back to a party based on the number invited back or from the overall *possible* numbers that could have been invited back?

For example: If it was possible for a chapter to invite back 60 girls, however they only invited back 50. And say only 40 accepted and returned to the party; would the return rate be 80% (40 out of 50) or 67% (40 out of 60)?

And what about "required" cuts. Say for grade point average. Do they factor in the return rate?

BrownEyedGirl - Thanks for your clarifications. I'm kind of a geek when it comes to statistics so all of this fascinates me.

This may be a no-brainier but would the return rates for the later round of parties be considered more *important* than say the early round parties?

Also, is the idea of return rates to help make for a more efficient rush? Not sure how to word this. Say "weed out" the girls early on so that a sorority doesn't have to "deal with" women that would not be a fit and be cut later?

The "invite back" numbers issued from Panhellenic (based on a three year average of the sorority's % of returns) were inacted to help the rushees and the weaker rushing chapters...and in turn, keep the top rushing chapters from inviting back all the rushees each round.

A strong chapter typically has high % of returns early in the week.

edited for grammar!

Interesting. How does this work? Does Panhellenic set each chapter's "invite back" numbers? Thus a strong chapter has to invite back a lower number than the not-so-strong chapters? Or does Panhellenic set the same numbers for all the chapters but such that it *favors* the not-so-strong chapters?

Chapters that are stronger in recruitment invite back fewer women to each round be cause it's more likely that each PNM will continue to accept the invitation as the week goes on.

Panhellenic advises each chapter of their return rate. Each chapter's rate will be different from the other chapters on campus.

Yes. If your chapter has historically strong % of returns...you can't invite back as many. The rushees who are not invited back by this group then have a realistic view of their options.

I'm not sure how to answer your question. Obviously, the goal of each chapter is to have higher return rates. In my experience, I have seen strong rushing chapter that have 100%, 96%, 95% all week long. Each chapter is going to take a "hit" somewhere -- in my opinion -- I'd rather take it later in the week -- on the bid list is best.

Light bulb just went on over my head
 

Thank you all. It does make sense. :)

There are always variables. A new skit, a larger (or smaller) number of legacies, a change in "party flow" from Panhellenic (i.e., rushees attending 10-7-5-3 to 10-6-4-3 parties each round). It's never an exact science. I like a Panhellenic that can be "flexible!"

AHA!

So that's why!

I was so confused earlier this year when during recruitment a close friend of mine in another sorority mentioned that her sorority (which is less strong than mine) had a very short membership selection meeting following a night of recruitment. I was very concerned however because my sorority had to spend a significant number of hours working because we could only invite back a smaller number of people. Now it makes sense why we could invite back different numbers!

Magic!

n.b.
 

Mandatory release rates (calculated based on return rates) are also a required element of Formal Recruitment if a campus Panhellenic is going to be using quota additions.

It could also be that her groups' membership selection process is different than yours and therefore requires less time. My group, for instance, is done in probably a half hour MAX after the last round. I LOVE IT!

And the process really does work. At a campus I advise, we used return rates to determine the # of invitees a group could invite back. The largest sorority had the smallest number they could invite back, and they always made it within 3-5% of the number. For instance, they could invite back 35 based on the stats, and they invited back 32...29 would accept. THOSE are good rates!