[irishpipes]

It isn't too early to be thinking about recruitment, but it is too early to be worrying/freaking out about it. The Alumnae Panhellenic in your town or a town near you is likely to host a preview/information session for future PNMs in the Spring. You may want to do an internet search to see if your town has an alumnae panhellenic chapter and if they did a session last year. Many times these sessions include information about recs and a fashion show giving ideas for recruitment clothing. I know our local session includes a "sign up" to send your electronic resume to local alumnae chapters to solicit recs.

Different sororities have different names for recommendations. You will likely find that most people simply call them recs. However, technically some are called RIFs or MIFs, etc. you don't need to concern yourself with that. Additionally, some sororities differentiate between a rec (which is a standardized form for an alumna to complete) and a letter of rec/letter of support which is typically a personal letter from an alumna who knows the PNM well. Some sororities require at least a rec while letters of support are kind of icing on the cake. You don't need to become an expert on any of that. Just get recs from every sorority (I'm not particularly in the know for UF, but my guess is that the UF folks would suggest 2 recs per chapter.)

You will need to compile a nice resume this Spring. You should have it available digitally. It should contain:
Complete name plus preferred nick name
Complete address
Parents' names
Name and address of your high school
Weighted and unweighted GPAs
Standardized test scores for ACT and/or SAT
Any AP classes taken
Academic honors
Clubs and organizations in which you are active, including any offices held
Athletic, musical, etc activities
Jobs you have had and approximate employment dates
Hobbies, interests, things you like to do
Your intended university and major/minor

Some rec writers may ask for additional information as well.

Your photo should be available in digital format as well, and senior pictures work best. Some rec writers prefer to have a copy of your transcript as well, so be prepared to supply that. I know my sorority uses electronic recs so we need your photo and resume to be electronic, but other groups like the traditional paper resumes and photos.

Make sure your resume is proof-read and organized. No rec writer wants to suffer through a poorly composed resume. I know when I receive a good one, it makes me all the happier to write a glowing rec.

The best and most powerful recs are written by people who know you well. All teachers went to college, so it stands to reason that many may be sorority alumnae, or have wives who are sorority alumnae. Start asking around. If you find a sorority alumna, ask if she knows other sorority alumnae who could help you. Sorority women tend to know other sorority women. If you live anywhere near UF, these women are likely to be well attuned to the need for recs and will be likely to help PNMs secure them. They've been there. September is way too early to send recs to UF for next Fall. Most recs are submitted in May and June in my experience. Make a list of all the sororities at your school and write down who has agreed to write recs to make sure you have them covered. And, a week or so after you supply your resume and photo to your rec writers, send them personal thank you notes (not emails or texts).

Good luck and enjoy your senior year! Keep your grades high.