[violetpretty]

It is not impossible to get a bid as a junior even at the most competitive SEC schools, but juniors that get bids usually have these things in common:

1. Good to excellent GPA: You don't want another strike against you. A junior with a bad GPA is pretty much a death sentence. Take the opportunity while at community college to get the best grades you can.

2. Campus involvement and leadership: Since a junior has less time to make an impact on the chapter, chapters will want juniors whose leadership skills/experience looks promising.

3. Friends in chapters: If you have friends pulling for you, you will be more likely to get a bid.

4. An open mind: This is really important. If you are telling yourself, "I'll take a bid from any chapter, just as long as it's not bottom tier," you don't have an open mind. (I'm not saying you wouldn't have an open mind).

5. A good fit with the chapter: This is the most subjective aspect. You might feel like you fit, but the chapter might feel otherwise. Even if you are at a chapter where you don't fit, they will want you to leave with a pleasant taste in your mouth, and some will try to make you believe you'd fit in perfectly.