Should I bother trying?
 

I plan to rush as a sophomore at a very competitive school. The problem is, I had a bad spring semester. I am very determined to stay academically focused this fall so I can bring my Gpa back up to a 2.9 before the pref rounds begin after fall semester.

Many of the houses that I like and see myself being in have a minumum of 2.8, so thats alright. But one specific house that is pretty much my first choice requires a 3.0 as a sophomore.

Would it be possible for me to miraculously get a bid from that house at all, despite the fact that I'd be 0.1 under their cut-off? I plan to get recs , and I'm cool with one girl who is already in that house, if that helps. I've heard stories of girls who didn't make grades and still got bids so i'm not sure.

I would suggest that, although you believe you have a number one choice already, you go into recruitment with an open mind about different groups. You may be pleasantly surprised and find a home in a different chapter than the one you think you like best right now.

If you go through recruitment, you may or may not end up in a sorority. If you don't, you're no worse off than you are right now.

If you don't go through recruitment, you will not be in a sorority.

Given that, isn't it worth giving it a try and seeing what happens?

1. No one knows what the exact membership selection process is for any particular chapter/house, except those in that room on that day. There are hundreds of variables effecting one's chances of receiving a bid, and the difference between a .1% difference in GPA could hold a lot of weight, or be one of a myriad of contingencies that are considered.

2. Grades ARE very important, however, because you will have a lot of time commitments during at least your first semester, and the following. If you cannot maintain them without such a huge time commitment, how can you improve them WITH the challenge?

3. Knowing one "cool" girl really isn't going to make or break your experience. Meet as many people as possible from all chapters, but do so as a means of making friends, not just to make strategic connections.

4. Close your ears to "tent talk" - that's anything that anyone says they "heard", "read", or was told that happened to a friend of a friend.

5. Lastly, but most importantly, I'd recheck your attitude about the "realy small and lame" NPHC house. Most Greeks have little tolerance for trashing other chapters and umbrella Orgs.

I suggest you close your mouth, listen and observe, put your best foot forward, and try to be as open minded as possible. FYI This place is not that anonymous. People have ways of finding things out without a lot of sleuthing.

I hope that your journey brings you to where you belong.

Damn. I suggest you edit out that last parenthesized line.

Don't rule out a particular organization(s) just because they might be "small" or "lame," there have been people who have entered struggling chapters and made a big impact on them.

Also, "lame" is very subjective. It may be you just haven't had enough exposure to all organizations. Just keep your options open and an open-mind, especially if you go through with NPC Rush. Because that one house that you're nuts about could turn out to be less than you expected.

If that particular house has a nationally mandated GPA of 3.0, they cannot offer a bid to anyone with a lower GPA.

You mentioned that you are a student at a school with a "very competitive" recruitment, so I have to agree with the statements above that it's a really bad idea to go into recruitment with a #1 house. Also, it should be stated that many houses have minimums, but never pledge anyone with anywhere close to that minimum... so those houses with 2.8 minimums might be allowed to pledge a girl with a 2.9 or something, but that doesn't mean they will do that. That's part of the competitiveness of recruitment.

I can't decide whether the attitude is "I'm trying to be cool and act like I don't care," or if you're really the person I envision walking into recruitment and rolling her eyes behind girls' backs.

You're rushing as a sophomore, which at some schools isn't a huge deal. Bit you say your school is competitive. What about you makes you stand out? What are you phenomenal at? Just being cool with one girl probably won't cut it .

We'll all say basically the same thing: You'll never know unless you try, it's possible, etc. Just realize that it will be difficult as a sophomore with lower than desired grades and a less than delightful demeanor.

Ok there, I edited that statement. However, that statement was actually the words of someone else who's also a minority in an NPC house and thats why she didn't bother rushing at NPHC house. On our campus, they don't have houses and you hardly hear of them, so I just assumed she was right.But o well, every where is different.

And yea I'm really involved with the arts and I've used that for volunteer work, so that's one way for me to stand out. I hope you guys realize that most of the advice you all mentioned were things I'm already aware of; I didn't just decided yesterday that I will rush. But thanks for the reminders anyway. I do plan to keep an open mind about all the houses as I am aware that my first choice will probably change after I visit each house in person.

P.S to the ppost above, I really don't see how I come across as having a "less than delightful" demeanor?
P.P.S How does "tent talk" that I hear actually affect me?

How do you come across as having a less than delightful demeanor? You did it again in your second post. "ok, there" "I hope you guys realize," etc.

Do you realize that you're on a message board with women that know more than you, and that you asked their advice?

It doesn't matter if they were your words. You repeated them and made them yours.

Your comment about NPHC is an example of how tent talk can affect you. You've made assumptions based on what another girl told you. The tent talk comment was made I'm sure to give you a word of caution and to remind you to not let other PNM's impressions sway you.

Ok, I'll just cut to the chase:
You won't get in.

So in answer to your thread title, no.

Exactly what I was thinking, especially about the "tent talk". Well said.

I think I just fell in love with you a little bit.

Aw. *blush* :p

Ouch...well thanks for the harsh reality check, I guess...

I sense a lot of negative, condescending vibes from this thread , which isn't what expected when I joined this site. Although we're pretty much anonymous on GC, I don't find the cattiness necessary. But sorry for my comment about the NPHC, I'll do better research about it, even though I still don't see myself rushing there (but who knows)...Starting this thread was pretty pointless overall. How can I find the exact answer to whether or not I have a chance when no one on this site even knows me lol...

But for those who are interested, I'll update later on what happens after rush...

Still excited for rush!!

I wouldn't take nittanyalum's post as condescending. What she says is most likely true. The very RARE exception gets into a group without exceeding the GPA cutoff. People have been dancing around saying what nittanyalum very bluntly said, but in the end, she's doing you a favor. Go in realizing that your #1 pick may not be an option for you and have your heart open to other possibilities.

p.s the 3.0 isnt national, its just for my school only (they make them higher)