[CarolinaCutie]

Here's what I'm saying:

ABC organization, with their Alpha chapter at Howard, 25 open slots, must have 3.5 GPA and 75+ hours previous community service, etc.

You say the Howard students are "overachievers", so we'd assume a high proportion of these students are going to make minimum GPA requirements. In addition, there's the fact that 5 of the Divine 9 have their Alpha chapters at that school, meaning going Greek is a BIG deal there. Also factor in the large groups of people who have grown up with that org in their families and maybe even chose Howard because of that (what I would call a legacy). To me, those characteristics are going to mean that there will be a high number of qualified (qualified meaning meeting the baseline standard) applicants, more applicants than there are open spots.

So if there are 25 open spots on a line and 150 applicants... the 25 that get in are going to obviously be the cream of the crop- higher GPAs than 3.5, excellent community service record, plus there's that X Factor of membership selection where everyone likes her, classy, good leader, etc.

This obviously differs from a school where going Greek is not as big of a deal. They may have the potential for 25 open spots as well, but have trouble finding applicants that meet the baseline standard. Or it's possible that (with exceptions involving that X Factor) the majority of qualified applicants are accepted.

Thus, it would be easier to be an ABC at the second school than the first. At the second school, you are meeting the basic standard and making sure everyone likes you. At the first school, you have to do those things AND making sure you're better than the majority of applicants: COMPETITION.

Obviously I am not in an NPHC sorority nor do I attend Howard, but this is just my interpretation of what might happen. I'm not saying this is what happens, but I'm trying to better understand. I don't see how it's flawed logic, but it's entirely possible that there are factors I'm missing.