Quote:
Originally Posted by sail100
My daughter went through rush this fall. I didn't expect her to go through, and since she's a bit on the shy side I really didn't encourage it knowing how stressful and heartbreaking it can be. Background - we live in a very competitive region of the country and live in a small town, and she knew only a few girl going to this college who are in sororities. Although she's very cute, she's never been obsessed about style and makeup; probably because she is the only daughter in a family of several boys. I tried to do what I could to help her have a successful rush based on my past experinece - nice clothes and accessories, mani/pedi, conversational coaching, makeup, etc. but I knew it would be very tough. To say she was cut heavily would be an understatment. By round two she only got invited back to two parties (I won't say how many different sororities there are at her campus other than it's in the double digits). These two were the bottom of the barrel reputation wise. At this point I tried to get her to drop out, maybe make some friends during the semester and try for spring rush or again next fall. Yes, it would have limited her choices, but she could at least have had a chance for some others. She refused to drop out. Pref night she was down to one party and received a bid to the smallest house on campus. She accepted and is in her pledge period.
She seems ok with it, but I'm going to come right out and say it even though I may get a lot of angry comments. I'm embarassed for her. I really don't even want to tell my friends what she pledged because I can tell they are shocked. It is common knowledge in our state, among those knowledgeable of Greek life at this university, that this house is the absolute bottom. They rarely make quota and constantly have to COR as well as spring rush. I have seen their social calendar and it is really lacking. They have few activites, and they basically don't have any mixers. Greek life is big at her campus, and most sorority calendars are packed with many social activities.
I guess this is so upsetting because I know exactly how much fun being in a sorority can be. I was in a sorority(not this school) that was considered very solid. Every rush we got many of the girls we wanted, we had mixers with great fraternities, my fellow sisters were the campus movers and shakers. I was so proud to wear my letters. To this day it still means something in our state to say I'm an "XYZ". I'm afraid she'll eventually figure this all out and realize she made a huge mistake. I want to encourage her to drop out before initiation and a commitment is made. Time is running out. I would like some advice from any moms who have been in my shoes - feel free to PM me, as I understand this is a sensitive topic.
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Okay, 1. What a BITCH comment!
2. When I joined greek life in Fall 2006, my sorority had 22 members and was known at the "Fat Fuzzies", and everyone else had ceiling... Now we have ceiling, and half the other sororities were on probabtion and lost TONS of members. So being small with a bad/no-reputation is not a valid arguement. We have done a 180 in 2 years.
3. My sorority DOES Informal/COBs/What-ever-you-call-it after informal each fall, and we do Spring Informal Recruitment too. And, finally, when we do it this spring it will be invite only instead of open-house, just so we can keep our numbers up and keep girls interested!
4. Its not up to you to tell people whats going on in anyone's life but yours. So butt out of your daughters... If you're ashamed of her chapter, then buck up and act your age! Go to their events, and get to know the girls... They may not have a pristine reputation, but who's to say they're not the sweetest and most loyal girls?
And lastly, a commitment WAS made when she signed her bid... How would it feel 3 years from now when she thinks back? "Man, I wish I didn't ruin my only shot at Greek Life because I listened to my bitter mother, who was trying to re-live her life through me..."
Delete the post! And get over yourself... Your college years are history, support your daughter through hers! Don't try to change her! If my father or stepmother tried this 2 years ago, I would have stood up for myself and my chapter... Even if I would have been kicked out of my home, whatever... This is uncalled for!
Ps. Was your sorority in Panhel? Because if so, I hope you were the worst sister in your chapter. You are an epic fail in the eyes of Greek Life. Learn to be Panhellenic, and swallow your tongue when you think otherwise of ANY other sorority... Whether it's National or Local!