OK I understand how those were things that helped you.
But I would think a lot of sororities help with classes, scholarships, and moving in. No?
I mean sure, if you look at the NPC what really separates all the GLOs? Are there DEEP fundamental differences? No. I think for us, quite a bit of it comes from how well they do nationally, but most of it is from how great of a chapter they have locally (size, achievements, how you get along with sister/brothers).
I just have a hard time understanding how you know what sorority your daughter will be in if you aren't your daughter and don't know how she'll interact with certain sisters. I guess those that do are relying solely on stereotypes then unless there is someone who is really adamant about voting or SAT lessons or something.
-Rudey
Quote:
Originally posted by babe'sbabe
Ok,
I'll bite at this one.
As I posted earlier in my thread, I was exposed to several NPHC sororities on the graduate level while still in high school. I also had teachers, advisors and mentors that were members of these grioups. As a high school student on group appealed to me more than any other. Perhaps is was the FREE tutoring they offered to the community students or the FREE SAT Prep they offered (my parents couldn't afford Kaplan). Or perhaps it was because almost EVERY female that shaped my academic and social develpoment post elementry school was a member of this organization.
Fast forward to college...
The day I moved into my dorm, this sorority had members there to HELP move us into our dorms. They carried boxes and held open doors. They answered question that my parents had about the quality of campus life. They even had a refreshment table set up in the parking lot. They provided us with welcome baskets and orientation pamphlet on campus life and african american resources on a predominately white campus. Now, this same group that assisted me in high school was here to assist me on my FIRST DAY ON A COLLEGE CAMPUS.
This is when the light bulb went off and I started DOING MY RESEARCH. First on the national organization and it programs. What type of women were members, what contributions have they made to society ect. Then, I set out to meet members of the chapter that could take the national prospective and put it into context on our campus. Things vary from state to state and so the implementation of various programs will as well. I attended service projects and social events with this group of women. As I solidified my relationship, I was given more information that would assist me in my quest. (However, it was nothing esoteric or sacred) Perhaps the title of a "good book" I should read or another person I should talk to and get to know.
Now, the school year is over and I am back home...
I take a trip back to my old high school and talk to the teachers and mentors that assisted me. Our conversation covered many topics. Maybe even some discussion of joining a particular organzation. Here I received additional information on what I could do to ensure that I was a well rounded applicant when the time came.
I am going to end it here as I believe that you have enough to answer your question, and I was successful in my quest. The short answer to your question is this. Some people have an idea of what organization they want to join when they get to campus. Some do not. However, by observing and interacting with members of the chapter on a particular campus as well as older members already in the sorority a person can determine if a group is right for them.
Sterotypes are only a small part of greek life. A person may get to a campus and see that the group of their choice does not adhere to the particular repretation they believed it to have. This is why you attend may different service projects, and forums. You see the chapter, how they interact with each other and how they interact with nongreeks. Then, after you have made up your mind 100% you attend the rush of the organization that you have selected and hope that you make the cut.
So you see, while members seeking membership into a WGLO a PNM would attend events during rush to get to know the chapter(house) and allow members to get to know them during a prescribed time, the same thing happens with NPHC groups. However, there is no prescribed time period. Or formally organized rush events. Interests do the research on their own so that when asked why do you want to join XYZ sorority, Inc, they can come up with an intelligent answer based on the things they learned from their research.
**end pontification**
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