[BlondeGurl]

I went through formal recruitment last fall and I just want to say that is will benefit you more than you can imagine!
You think that it will take up a lot of your time...and it will, but it will also help you organize your time in ways that other incoming freshmen dont learn to do until their sophmore or even Junior year so their grades end up suffering. If you are really as concerned about 'time managment' as you say you are...the best thing that I can see you doing is to RUSH. Time management is important if you want to make a trip home every weekend and be able to do something besides study. Also, I had a boyfriend when to college and he went to a different college 3 hours away, even though I pledged a sorority I still had the time to go almost every weekend and see him. But when I couldn't it wasn't as bad because my sisters were there to hang out ith and take up my time so I didnt miss my family and boyfriend. The girls in your sorority are there to help you. They are your support group while your away from home so that you wont feel home sick...or miss your boyfriend as much as if you were at school on your own.

Of course I am biased...I RUSHed, but I have also had the advantage of seeing a LOT of freshman that didnt RUSH and their struggles with school, friends, and 'time managment'. I think your mother is only thinking of your best interests...its rair to find a mom that actually wants her daughter to join a sorority ... you are very lucky. MY dad has only just begun to support my decision and is buying my sorority some stuff for our Bid Day this year.

Just one more thing to add to my BOOK ... Not everyone has RUSH in the Spring so of course your choices will be limited, but isnt mentioned is that if decide to wait to have a choice from ALL of the sororities on your campus and gothrough Formal Recruitment next year...you will still be limited...because, as you have seen posted before on this forum, in the fall sororities usually take only a limited number of sophomore, juniors, and seniors. NOW is the best time to go through...it is the time when EVERYTHING is to your advantage.

I dont mean tot sound harsh, I jsut feel very strongly about RUSHing your freshman year, because otherwise your chances of getting in are ALWAYS limited...whether it be because it is the spring and all the sororities arent participating or because there are fewer spots that you can fit into because you waited and arent a freshman anymore.