Rushing as a Junior (Yes, I know... embarassing)
 

Let me first start by saying that I transferred to the university that I now attend. My previous school did not have greek life, and when I transferred, I was very much confused about the whole system. However, I attended various events to see if I would like to join a sorority. Unfortunately, however, while I was at home during Christmas, we had a family event that changed everything. Ultimately, I did not rush my sophomore year.

So, here, I am junior year, and I have decided to go through rush. I know that my chances of getting a bid are very slim, but I think this more of a personal experience now. I wish I had done it last year, but I cannot change the past. I think at the back of my mind I would love to get a bid, but it's hard convincing a group people otherwise.

I was wondering if any of you have any advice to offer. It would be greatly appreciated.

The search function is your friend. We have a similar thread going on at this time
http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...or+recruitment

Good luck

It is not embarassing to rush as a junior. I did it and so has many other girls. You just need to give it your best shot.

It's not embarassing at all. Several GCers rushed as juniors and successfully received bids. Do you know how Greek Life on your campus is like? How competitive is recruitment at your school?

It's not impossible for upperclassmen to receive a bid to a sorority. It really depends on your campus. In the meantime, it's a good thing to remain positive. Go through recruitment, but be prepared for whatever outcome you get.

Thank you guys so much. In response to OTW, my best friend joined a sorority last year, and it’s definitely been interesting getting to know the sororities in a different way. It has made me bias in some ways, but then, I think that having the year to think about has been a good thing. Greek life is "big," but it is not essential. So, for a guy, he should join a frat. For a girl, however, it’s not quite as important.

I cannot really tell the competition that well. I primarily know girls my in best friend’s sorority, which is the “sorority to be in,” ABC’s, and then, I know the girls in the “sorority not to be in.” It seemingly varies between the houses. I know a lot of the sororities are very freshman oriented, but there are some that will reserve spots for sophomores. I think my biggest hesitation is that the “sorority not be in,” is the only one I know that has taken juniors before (I have not researced too much whether others take juniors). In all honesty, I cannot see myself at all in this sorority. The problem is that if you give them an inch, they’ll take a mile. I don’t want to give them false hopes that’ll I join. However, I mean how do you nicely say “thank, but no thanks” in my situation.

Finally, I have major hesitations about going to ABC’s rush party during Round 1. I do not want the girls to think that best friend introduced me to them because I was going to rush. The only reason I told her was because she was going to have to see me. I had her tell the girls that I was going to rush, but now, I do not know if it was such a good idea. One of them, her roommate, told me I was not going to get a bid anywhere, and all I could think was that I know I have slim chances, but I did not need her reinforcing this.

It doesn't help that Lehigh ranks their Greek organizations: http://www3.lehigh.edu/News/V2news_s...p?iNewsID=2302

Orgs receive a gold, silver, or bronze ranking. Some are even labeled 'poor'.

The above link takes you to an article posted in August 2007, but exlurker first posted about it back in August 2005.

I totally believe in giving credit where credit's due, so good for them. But still, many PNMs go into rush hearing of reputations and some even swear by tent talk -- so I can't help but think that this ranking system fosters that.

Actually, several campuses do this

is this an organized rush, where pnms are divided up into rush groups and on the first day you go around within your rush group to all the sororities? if that is the case, then there is no need to explain why you are visiting "abc" or "def" sororities. you are attending their party at that particular time because that is what your schedule stipulates.

if you want to join a sorority, and you feel that a junior may be at a disadvantage, then you hedge your bet by attending parties at as many of the sororities as you can. don't give up any sorority before you have attended a party there.

From what I heard from a friend I later made (who was recruitment chair of another sorority) in her chapter (and most others) they simply eliminate juniors before they ever even talk to you. Still, my school is extremely competitive and I did receive a bid as a junior. I think if you would have made a good addition as a freshman, then there is still a spot for you as a junior. There are fewer options, but definitely still opportunities.

Looking at their greek life website I have to say they have 8 incredibly strong national sororities. Even if the one chapter you said you already know you don't fit in at is a smaller chapter for the school, I have to say I joined one of those smaller chapters and cannot even begin to tell you I am so glad I did. Instead of being one of a hundred or more, I had great opportunities to gain leadership roles and really make an impact. We grew whilst I was there and I really had some incredible experiences that have stayed with my into my career.

This will vary from chapter to chapter and campus to campus. I can think of women who have joined even some of the most competitive chapters at my campus as juniors. That said, they had everything else going for them (good GPA, involvement, just generally a good fit, women in the chapters pulling for them).