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Some universities do not not discriminate so strongly against upper classmen, due to the turnout of women coming to recruitment, etc. For the schools who have a large recruitment, composed primarily of freshmen, those freshmen are going to get "priority" placement because they offer four years of consistent service, leadership potential and dues, helping the chapter stay in the black and learning the ropes to be a leader in the chapter. THIS IS NOT TO SAY THAT UPPERCLASSMEN ARE NOT QUALITY POTENTIAL MEMBERS. THEY ARE VERY VALUABLE POTENTIAL MEMBERS-- THEY OFFER STRONG MATURITY AND TIME MANAGEMENT, CAN BE A ROLE MODEL TO YOUNGER MEMBERS, ARE MORE APT TO BE AROUND LONGER (AS ALUM), WILL NOT EXPERIENCE BURN-OUT AS QUICKLY, AND ARE JUST AS RESPONSIBLE FOR KEEPING THE CHAPTER FINANCIALLY SOUND, ETC. However, I do not see this situation as something changing. Freshmen will continue to receive priority at larger schools. I encourage upperclassmen to continue to persue sorority life, and to have alumnae write them letters of recommendation, and to smile their brightest smiles, brag their accomplishments and genuinely go into the process to make wonderful friends and find a good match. But upperclassmen should also go into the process knowing that they stand the chance of being severely cut, and that this being cut has nothing to do with their measure as a woman or their value to the group. I also think that any PNM who fits the profile of a likely joiner will fit into any chapter-- sororities at these larger schools are great in size and extremely diverse in each chapter-- there is something for everyone.
So while this message may not give any answers, it is just a note to upperclassmen-- DO go through the process. Don't wonder "What if"
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