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hey UMCP '06-
i'm from the baltimore area, and while i dont go to UMCP i have a ton of friends who do, and many of them joined fraternities and sororities there, so i know a little bit about it.
i would say DEFINETLY rush. while there are a few houses there who are into the stereotypical "sorority" image (with so many houses, sometimes you can't avoid that), most of them are wonderful and diverse organizations, and i seriously doubt that being overweight would hinder your chances of getting a bid from a great house.
but i would also recommend not trying to do it during your first semester, even if CP lets you. anyway, i think (correct me if i'm wrong) that the big (formal) rush at college park is in the spring anyway, and fall rush is informal. (formal rush is the most fun, in my opinion - during fall rush you dont get to see all the houses). anyway, college park is gigantic, and i would say (based on my friends experiences there) that you should spend that first semester just getting oriented to the school. rushing and pledging there sounds pretty intense and time consuming, and you dont want to be doing that when you should be out meeting people.
but anyway, good luck, and dont worry about what your friends from home think. most of mine didn't go greek in college, and what can i say? its just the kind of thing that from the outside looking in, it makes no sense. not many people who aren't involved take the time to try to understand it. but from the inside looking out, it's been one of the best experiences of my life. definetly do it.
good luck, keep us posted on what you decide to do!! i know you'll be fabulous.
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