Rushing at California schools--- is it any different????
 

I could be totally wrong about this, because I've just heard it from people I've casually talked to, but is it true that the rush process at most California schools is more laid back than at Southern schools? I'm just kind of worried because some of the things I've read about rush has been very daunting-- especially about the sophomore and junior transfer info. Next year when I rush, I want to rush with my friends, one will be a sophomore and one will be a junior who is tranfering from a JC. The sophomore waited for me because she wanted us to be able to experience rush together! I will feel so bad if she gets jipped because she waited for me. Just hoping that some truly knowledgable people can shed some light on this situation! Thanks so much!

Unless you're at USC (or maybe UCLA), I think your rush will be quite a bit different from the South.

At some schools it is still competitive, but NOT "Southern."

Yes, rush is different at california schools (I know about ucla from experience) although rush at USC is still very competitive, and from what I've heard, more superficial.

At UCLA for example, recs are really not needed, and most girls wear flip flops at least the first day, if not the second.

Styles are trendy; a cute pair of shoes, shirt, or jacket can be a great conversation starter.

I think in general, people in Cali are more laid back in general; no getting up at 6 am like southern rush! (I had a friend in my rush group who was from Georgia and she would talk about what her friends there were going through)

Where are you applying?

In terms of sophomores and juniors...Our pledge class had about 5 sophomores and 1 junior. You're not automatically rejected just because you're a little older.

I am applying to Pepperdine; I think their greek system is relatively new, if that makes a difference.

USC rush is very similar to Southern rush. Comptetive, recs needed, etc.

Pepperdine is not southern-esque and most chapters will consider pledging non-freshmen. Recs are helpful but are by no means necessary. There are 7 groups.

Alpha Phi
Delta Gamma
Delta Delta Delta
Gamma Phi
Kappa Alpha Theta
Kappa Kappa Gamma
Pi Beta Phi

The chapters are not housed and recruitment takes place mid-fall semester in classrooms after classes are over for the evening.

Chris, their Greek Advisor, is a really nice guy and I am sure he'd be happy to guide you toward their new Panhellenic officers to get your questions answered. His email is Chris.VanVelzer@pepperdine.edu.

Good luck!

Thank you everyone for your help. I am also applying to Chapman and SDSU if anyone has any useful knowledge about rush and the sororities at these schools. I really want to go to Pepperdine though. I will no know until April if I get in. Anyways, about recommendations, the only person in my family who was greek was my Uncle. Other than that, I don't know anyone greek. How do I go about getting a recommendation? What should it say? I want to be able to send a rec, but don't know how to get one. Sorry if I'm being annoying about really obvious questions. I just don't have the advantage that legacies do, and am a total newcomer to this whole thing-- but I'm not letting that stop me!

I know SDSU is pretty competitive. Most of their sororities currently have housing, but many are being temporarily placed as the campus is overtaking the properties. I believe almost 1000 girls went through Recruitment this past Fall.

Chapman University is a smaller campus and the Greek system isn't as large, so there isn't as much competition.

rec's
 

No worries about being a newcomer :-) I was one too!

I was the first one in my immediate family to go greek. My cousin went greek the year before, so I was able to get a rec from her. (I ended up joining the same sorority, Delta Gamma!, just at a different school)

In terms of getting rec's, I would ask around. Teachers, family friends...see if anyone you know is greek. I was able to get a few rec's from a lady who rides horses at my stable; she had a lot of Greek friends.

Also, I believe some GC'rs on the board have offered to write rec's...check some posts about that.

Actually, rush numbers at SDSU are closer to 500 than 1000. Chapman is not as competitive as SDSU, but recs never hurt on any campus.

SDSU had a quota of 45 this year and has the following chapters:

Alpha Chi Omega
Alpha Delta Pi
Alpha Phi
Delta Gamma
Gamma Phi Beta
Kappa Alpha Theta
Kappa Delta
Pi Beta Phi
Sigma Kappa

Chapman had a quota of 34 this year and has the following chapters:

Alpha Gamma Delta
Alpha Phi
Delta Gamma
Gamma Phi Beta
Phi Sigma Sigma

WOW!!

Sac State has around 150 for the formal recruitment. We are definately not a "Southern" school. Although the fight to get the girls is fierce. That attitude continues throughout the semester with the athletic events. Practically every philanthropy is a sporting function. Which I never take part in.

I wouldn't know about the temporary sorority housing situation at SDSU, but I do know that they are building a new sorority row that should be finished in a year or so.
And I do believe that around 500 girls rushed this fall.

I will agree that Sac State recruitment is a bit fierce... I don't think the flooding helped at all this year either...