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My daughter currently attends UT and is in a sorority. It was and is a VERY competitive process. I believe there are many factors involved in making the decision to "rush" at UT. Here are my thoughts:
1. Cost- The first year is by far the most expensive. If you are lucky enough to live in the sorority house in subsequent years, it is actually less expensive than living in a dorm or apartment. Some of the sororities allow Sophomores to live in and some don't allow you to live in until Junior year.
It is usually a very competitve process to get to live in the house, since space is limited.
2. Competitiveness- UT has one of the most competitive recruitments in the country. It is way up there with most of the SEC schools. You must be prepared with multiple recs for each house and they need to be turned in early, like June 1st..Who you know is HUGE at UT and if you do not go to a "well represented" high school, then you MUST go in with an open mind..actually, you must go in with an open mind anyway, because legacy status and going to the right high school won't necessarily get you in. Please, please, please try to avoid "tent talk". All 14 sororoties are awesome and have so much to offer..The "best" one is the one that you fit in and not the one that Suzy Q says is the best...there is truly a place for everyone.
3. Sisterhood- I am so thankful that my daughter found her home and her sisterhood. She has had the best experience with her sorority and I am so glad she had a group of friends right away..UT is a big place! With that being said, the Greek community at UT is only about 12%, so you would actually be in the majority if you were not in a sorority. Alot also depends on which dorm you live in. If you live in Hardin House or SRD, you will most likely be surrounded by sorority girls. If you live in an on campus dorm, it will not be as concentrated and you are more likely to find girls that are not in sororites.
You will still be able to go to fraternity parties at UT even if you are not "Greek".
Like another poster said, do not go through the process if you dont think you can't afford it. You may be taking the spot that another girl would have loved to have.
Good luck in your decision! I know my daughter does not regret it for a minute.
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