[jen0830]

Hi Football Fan,
My intention is not to offend people, but to give an honest answer to an innocent question. Trojanfan89 asked about "getting into DG at USC". I don't read juicycampus, so I don't know what it said or what she thinks of DG. I assume it might be something awful based upon the other responses. I’m not a Delta Gamma, but they’re great girls, and it is a strong house at USC, as are many others, sorry anybody, if I didn’t mention yours and you felt slighted. I am very familiar with these three chapters because I know their advisors and I have been an advisor for two of my chapters, including one in LA. Recruitment at USC is very competitive, and Greek life is an important part of the social scene. She asked if DG is difficult to get into and honestly, it is. That is a fact of life at USC.

As far as stereotypes go, I told her “to take them all with a grain of salt, no sorority is better than another, no matter what they say.” Is it a stereotype that the sororities at the SEC campuses are well groomed, attractive and very selective? Yes, it’s true.

I never mentioned the word tiers, I didn't say tier one are these sororities, tier two are these, and tier three are these. After rush, and at presents, alumnae from all decades, say, “Yep, ABC has the tall brunettes again, and XXX still has ….”

Much of what I said was censored and deleted by a "Master Moderator?" because I said specific sororities had more a bigger base of certain qualities. This can be Googled because it was mentioned on interviews in the LA Times and on a local TV show. Of course not every girl in a sorority is a certain type, how stupid can someone be to think ANY group is TOTALLY the "cheerleaders" "beautiful blondes" "super rich" sorority.

Fan, 60% of the student body may be on financial aid, I'm not interested in checking the accuracy of your statement. Good for them to get into a great school. USC enrolls a variety of people who need scholarships and financial aid, some may be in sororities. I can assure you, take a poll, and almost all the members of Pi Phi, Theta and DG, the sororities that I mentioned, are not on financial aid. Their parking lots look like BMW, Mercedes, and Audi dealerships with decals. One notices their names, jewelry, and accessories when you walk in the door. It’s no secret that a Presidential candidate's wife is a member of a sorority from USC and is very wealthy. Will mentioning her name be edited by the “Master Moderator”?

At no point did I say ALL DGs, Pi Phis, and Thetas were a certain way. Obviously, no group is 100% this or that, but when you see 85% stunning blondes with arrows on their T-shirts, and Louis Vuitton bags with YSL sunglasses, it leaves an impression. If am in a local restaurant and I see 25 tall, slender brunettes, all with the same Greek letters talking about their summers in Europe, that shows a pattern. In addition, it verifies an “image” of their membership. I have watched a football game on television, and saw Greek letters on the soles of the shoes of several college cheerleaders when they are lifted up. Some women would consider this a rush infraction, or a way of swaying PNMs.

I gave the young woman the names of some sororities that recruit against DG at SC, which is no secret in LA. Better to be prepared, and check out the information. One scenario is that she could disregard some other sororities and get released by only the one or two she wanted, and drop out of rush. Some PNMs can get arrogant b/c they are carrying the “top” houses, and then the day comes and they are not invited back to any, and because they didn’t give the others a chance and acted like snobs or regretted their invitations based on “status”, they are heartbroken and have no place to go.

I have been an advisor at two schools, one in LA. where I currently live. I have observed that sometimes a sorority finds that a more homogenous group makes their experience easier and more comfortable when living together. Sometimes it supports more agreeable meetings and keeps membership retention higher. These are good points and there can be a downside, which could be that it produces a "stereotype". There is nothing wrong with choosing to be with similar young women that you wish to have as friends and roommates. Thia is one of the wonderful freedoms of being in a sorority.

Regarding your comment on return numbers. I found return rates are misleading if one were to base which sorority is “best” based on these numbers.
Some “less popular” houses can have a great return rate, b/c many PNMs are cross cut by all the “popular” houses before preference, and so they join “XXX” which then has a return rate of 90%. Some years I’ve seen the very “selective” houses recruiting against each other for the same girls and then one takes a big hit; because the others got most of the PNMS they all wanted. This does not affect their long term “standing”. The new member in “less selective” XXX, who got dropped by “more selective” ABC which only got a 60% return rate, was their first choice. Many times a high return rate is because some women going through don’t feel comfortable surrounded by super thin girls, or beautiful girls, or debutantes and heiresses, so she regrets them. Because I am 5’8”, blonde and slender, I regretted the house where I am a triple legacy, on day one, because I didn’t feel comfortable with a group of short, sturdy, brunettes, who’s main goal was to win Derby Days for the 4th year. Rolling in the mud for fraternity boys is not my idea of a good time. Some PNMs drop a prominent sorority before they drop her, so this affects return rates.

I truly wish this young woman the best, and as I told her, “be open, again, no sorority is better than another”. Each has different criteria they are looking for in members and membership is limited, so give them all a chance.
I hope Trojangirl89 that you find the chapter that promotes your growth and expands your circle of friends. I also hope it’s one where you can be a leader. It sounded like you wanted just one sorority and I am biased, I believe being a member of any GLO, is a richer experience than not being a member. Many PNMs drop out because they didn't get the house they wanted. I am encouraging you to stay in but also be prepared for a variety of experiences and types of women.

Regarding GC, honesty and authenticity are more important than "what we always do". I believe it doesn't help anyone when we try to sugar coat situations instead of honestly stating the information. I believe it’s a disservice to follow a custom if it is based on fear, insecurity, or because of “we’ve always done it this way” or erroneously, that “it may hurt the feelings of some girls or affect my chapter’s rush”. Finally, yes, the USC party scene is sometimes wild. The sororities can be scorned by some faculty and students, and the problems are way overblown by the press.

BTW Fan, I did not say any house was better than another; I did not mention the word “tiers”. I mentioned the undeniable characteristics of some sororities; sorry if yours wasn’t one of them.

Trojanfan89, go to the individual websites and official Panhellenic page and get the information. Some do look like a house full of “blondes” “diverse girls” “heavy set girls” “athletes’, “partiers” etc. The chapter’s individual websites promote in many ways what is important to them. You will read phrases like “We’ve had the highest GPA for 3 years”, etc.
“We have a DIVERSITY of girls to make ANYONE feel welcome!” “We strive for the best in all that we do”. “We are a values driven organization”. “Our philanthropy is one of the most important aspects of our sisterhood”.
Draw you own conclusions and see if what I have said isn’t true when you get to USC. If you want more information, you are welcome to PM me. I will be happy to provide you with information on my experience.
GOOD LUCK and have a great rush/recruitment experience!
Best to you also Football Fan, I hope your team has a strong “winning return rate”.
Jen