[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by 28StGreek

I originally had typed up something for a response in the thread: THE "bottom" sorority
http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=144159

However, I felt that much of what I had to say had already been said by some posters whose opinions I greatly respect, and anything more I thought should be added would not have been received well by some of the other GCers posting in the thread.

Then when the alleged leaked USC sorority email was recently doing the rounds on social media, regardless of its accuracy, I felt it reinforced a certain reality endemic at some campuses. It is a reality that some on this would board either ignore, pretend not to exist, or are just oblivious to. There are some who would give out advice that seeks to quash its existence and in doing so I feel would be detrimental for a PNM's expectations.

And since its that time of the year when PNMs will start receiving their letters of admission from college, it is also ideally time to really begin the preparation for sorority recruitment in earnest. Therefore I have decided to add my thoughts to the conversation.

How a PNM physically looks, and her size, is a real factor in a PNM's chances during rush; at some schools definitely, and perhaps at most schools. And yes, I use rush on purpose because formal recruitment is just another example of the euphemistic culture in some people's approach to giving advice to PNMs.

I am in no way stating that how a person looks is an explicit criteria in an organisation's membership selection. But how physically attractive a young woman is, affects her chances of success in all aspects of life, sorority rush included.

Whether this is a subconscious mental decision or a decidedly conscious one on the part of the actives, this kind of mentality is just a fact of our current society. We could debate all day and night what socio-cultural genesis this problem has, but that is not important.

What is important is that the telling to PNMs at certain schools that they should "keep an open mind", "do not listen to the tent talk", "try to look past the reputation", etc, is disingenuous, even harmful. That kind of advice can breed false hope or unrealistic expectations.

At USC, a freshman PNM is probably not a red flag for a grade risk, on the very virtue of being admitted to SC in the first place. What is going to really affect her rush is: who she is, who she knows, and especially how she looks. And if she does not have any recs, but looks like a Victoria's Secret Angel, then she is probably going to get a full list of invites each round.

And don't forget, this mentality is not exclusive to the chapter's opinions of a PNM's value. The PNM is most likely making her decisions about a chapter's worth based on the very same shallow premises.

Greek life may extend long after college years into alumna status, but its the active years that are the most attractive part of the experience. And at some schools, it would be a lie to say that all sorority experiences were made equal.

Total Sorority Move may not often give the best portrayal of Greek life, but I thought a recent article titled: An Answer To The Age-Old Question: Am I Pretty Enough To Rush? Was well-written especially in its candour.

I personally believe the opportunities open to a women who decides to go Greek more than outweighs the social cost of having a 'less successful' rush. Above all, the women who decide to accept their bids and be committed to their choices will more than likely find sisterhood, a wealth of college memories, and brilliant preparation for their futures. That being said, I will not gloss over the fact that come this fall when the bid cards are handed out, there will be women who will face crushing disappointment. Because, they will overnight become the target of hurtful, mean, and awful comments just based on the fact they wear certain letters. Tiers may eventually change over generations but at certain schools its never going to happen with "one amazing pledge class" that "work their butts off to change their reputation and be the best chapter they can be".

To end on a positive note, for all those PNMs heading off to college this fall I do really believe in this advice, and it is quite wonderful:
　

QFP