U of Arizona Rush Advice?
 

Hi everyone. I'm in the process of reading all the great stickies here. They've been invaluable. Great work!

I'm a first year student at UA. I have high school friends down here with me, but we're still all first year and all plan to rush. UA is a very Greek school, but rush week starts right away. I won't have time to meet many (any?) sorority sisters before rush starts. Do you think they're checking us out already on Facebook or MySpace? (Yes, I've always kept a nice presence on both sites.)

I come from a small family and only have one rec letter from a cousin/alum who went to another school....is that bad? Also, I'm on a great academic scholarship to attend here; my parents are far from rich, but said they'll spring for the all the cost (they've read the literature) from savings just so I can have the sisterhood experience. Will I be an outcast at the houses if I'm on scholarship and loans or have to work hard during the summer?

If the sisters ask what I did over the summer, I had to work really hard. Other than that, I took a family vacation to the mountains for only 4 days, hung out with my close friends. What if that's not "exciting" enough?

I want to make sure I meet sisters and they meet me during my sets. Should I mix around like at parties or is that frowned upon? Do some PNMs dominate conversations, and if so, what's the tip to see and be seen?

Haha, you will not get looked down on for being on scholarship! That's just silly! Most groups would love to have one more smart, classy member!

There is a good chance that they are scoping you out on facebook...at least they will be once recruitment starts.

It's nice of your parents to offer to help with the money from savings...if you get a bid, see if the group offers scholarships or interest-free loans. I know DG offers both and I'm confident that other groups do as well.

Good luck! Let us know how it goes!

Yes, they probably will

No, it's not bad, but do what you can to obtain recs from other sources for the remaining houses. Have your parents ask friends, people at church and teachers if they are alumnae.

Absolutely not; they will love the idea you are on an academic scholarship (and congrats). Grades are a large part of Greek Life, so you could be a great asset to the chapter. They will already know your grades, so you don't need to boast about it.

Since you worked during the summer, I would focus on what was really cool about your job or what you were able to accomplish.

You won't need to. Your Rusher will be bumped so that you meet more people.

Don't talk their ear off, but they DO want to get to know you. Conversely, you will want to get to know them too.

And, good luck to you

While I am not familiar with the greek environment at Arizona, the chapter I advise is on a very greek campus with many students who could be considered privileged. However, there are many sorority women on scholarship, as well as many who work part time to help pay expenses. They are in NO WAY second class sisters. In fact, students who receive scholarships are usually cause for braggin' !

Many sororities have foundations that award scholarships to worthy actives and grads--another great benefit of sorority membership. Your scholarship award shows that you are a student of substance.

Have a great time during recruitment!

Wow, I can't thank you all enough. You've really put my mind at ease. I've always held the assumption that many sororities (secretly) preferred rich girls and we're far from that. What a relief.

After reading more stickies and posts, it's becoming increasingly clear to me that in order to get the genuine sisterhood experience what matters most (and what I should concentrate on during the visits) is finding a house where the girls accept me and really like me for exactly who I am. I'll just be myself, ask them questions, too, and enjoy the visits.

I do hear that we have lots of girls rushing, so I'm sure the competition will be intense. Although I'm not at all shy, I've never been much of a mixer at parties, usually talking to just a few people. Will the sisters approach me or will I need to be more assertive, especially if there are so many girls rushing on our campus?

Oh, and one more (just curious) question! When they do check us out on Facebook or MySpace, are they looking for anything other than bad photos/language, i.e. what positives are they looking for? I was surprised to hear they have our GPAs and do their own research ahead of time.

If the chapter is doing what they are supposed to do, you will have an escort from each chapter at all times and you will not need to do the approaching at all. One of them will 'pick you up' at the door, talk with you for a little while, then another will come up and "bump" the first one, and talk to you until a third one comes up, etc.

Just relax, have fun, and be yourself! With the chapters that are right for you, conversation will be easy and relaxed and you'll feel like you're right at home with the majority of the sisters. Since they are also nervous, it might take a couple parties to achieve this feeling, but it usually does happen if you give them a chance.