Quote:
Originally posted by adpiucf
** and now, I'm preparing to be told off by the all the GC fraternity men who lurk in the Rush Forum and think a girl has no business offering a guy advice about membership recruitment...***
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Not by me. Excellent advice is excellent advice.
love4pacers: How well do you personally know the family friend? Or more to the point, how well does he know you? Basically, are you confident he will write you a good recommendation? Cause you want a recommendation that helps you and not one that may harm your chances. Since most chapters aren't use to getting recommendations of any type - great, good or a simple introduction - this may stand out. And of course, you obviously do not want a bad introduction or a 'no' recommendation to go out.
So sticking with the positive, the more personal your relationship - and the recommendation - the better. Example of a good recommendation: "I've known love4pacers for eight years. He is an excellent student, outgoing and popular, and is active in his community. I personally feel he meets our fraternity's values and would be a fine candidate for consideration for membership. Please consider taking a look at love4pacers."
If he doesn't know you personally, you want the recommendation to serve as a positive introduction to the chapter. Example: "There is guy from my hometown, love4pacers, that is attending your college. While I don't know him personally, I have known his family for eight years and he may have the values worthy of membership. Now what I do know is that he is an excellent student, outgoing and popular, and is active in his community. As such, you may want to consider taking a look at love4pacers."
What you do not want is something rather non specific or not flattering. Example: "There is guy from my hometown that is going through rush. I know his family but I really don't know much about him and can't vouch for his character or values. But I said I would send a letter of introduction." While this may help because it is an introduction, it may also have the affect on the chapter that you can't stand on your own merits. The chapter may look at this type of introduction and ask "Why did he (love4pacers) feel a need to ask for this introduction? Is there something wrong?"
So my advice is that before you ask your family friend to write you a recommendation, be sure you feel it will be a positive one. Otherwise, it might do you more harm.
Best of luck.