[ChioLu]

If you are on Facebook, post that you’re looking for recommendations for sorority recruitment and LIST which sororities you need recs. Ask if anyone knows Alumnae for those groups: friends, parents, relatives, coworkers, church members, teachers, etc. Follow up on any responses and ask any alumna writing you a Rec if she knows anyone in the other sororities that are on your campus. If you get responses but those women are not in the groups you seek, they probably know women from other sororities. Ask them! Remember, sorority Alumnae want all PNMs to have a successful recruitment. Even if you don’t join their Alpha Alpha Alpha sorority, but helped you find a Rec for Eta Bama Pi and you joined that group, the Tri-Alpha will feel like she helped you find your home! (At Tulsa University, the Bama Pie company/bakery is a few blocks from campus. Their single serve pecan pies are delicious!)

My cousin’s daughter went thru last Fall at Oklahoma State. At the beginning of the summer, she only had recs to just over 1/2 the groups. Through Panhellenic contacts/networking, I was able to help her get recs for all but 1 house. She joined her #1 choice.

Even if an alumna doesn’t know you personally, she could write an informational rec, based on your resume. It’s nice if you can meet or have a phone call with someone who writes you an info rec and that helps her fill out the form more completely.

And, don’t be stingy on your Recruitment resume, like only listing the biggest accomplishments. If you were in any activity for several years — sport, music, club, charity, whatever — but didn’t have a leadership role (because you were involved in many other activities), list that experience too. Sororities love multitaskers! For a good Recruitment resume sample, check the Houston Alumnae Panhellenic Assn. At the end of the resume, list at least 3 Fun Facts about yourself that are not related to your resume. Such as ... a connection to a celebrity (a shared birthday or a chance meeting), a non-school award/achievement (an award at summer camp or winning a Halloween costume contest) or something random (sold the most Girl Scout cookies city-wide when you were in the 5th grade or you & your friends have watch parties for a certain TV show, like The Bachelor/Bachelorette). These fun facts can help match you to members with similar interests/backgrounds and help with smooth and memorable conversations. Also list any scholarships.

Treat recs like a work reference. Say, you want to work for a great company and they have an opening. Good news! You know someone who works for that company! That person could go to HR and say “Scar would be an asset to our company. She’s smart, a leader and volunteers in the community.” Would you want a referral like that??? (Note: the answer is always YES!)