Really need help here!

[Bessy]

Hello, everyone. Sorry for asking the same questions as many students. But I am really not sure about the whole thing.
I come from China and I am the freshman of TCU ( Texas Christian University). I want to join the sorority in TCU BUT I really find myself difficult. Because obviously I am not a legacy, and I don't know where to get recs, this is my first time coming to the US and I have no knowledge about US college.
My strength is high grades which being invited in Honors and some traditional Chinese hobbies, like Chinese dancing, calligraphy etc, but I know they are negligible.
I really want to join this society and MAKE REAL FRIEND here.
But I know nobody and as an International student, I find very difficult.
So can anyone give me some advise about this, or maybe I am not suitable for joining the sorority?
BTW, I am friendly and easy-going.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR HELP, GUYS!

[ComradesTrue]

Hi Bessy-

You may contact the Fort Worth alumnae panhellenic for assistance, however I would do so ASAP. They list May 1 as their preferred deadline. http://www.fortworthpanhellenic.com/home.html

While many students at TCU are involved in Greek Life, I will say that the International Student Assoication is also very strong there. You will have many opportunities to get involved on campus whether or not you decide to go through recruiment.

Best of luck to you and Go Frogs!

[Bessy]

thank u very much! I hope I can find my place here!
Waiting for ur message!

[ComradesTrue]

Hi Bessy-

In the message you asked for advice since you are coming from China, and the best advice that I can give you is to contact the Fort Worth Alumnae Panhellenic, as I did above. Although I can't seem to find the line on their website at the moment, I do know that I have read in the past few weeks that they do try to help students who come from areas where there would not be many sorority alumnae. You will absolutely, positively, without question, need recs to all 11 groups, so contact them and see if they can offer you some guidance/assistance. I am sorry, but like most of the other posters on GC, I am hesitant to write recs for PNMs that contact me through this site.

In addition to contacting the FW Panhellenic, I would suggest spending some time on this site simply reading. There are actually numerous threads about TCU, several recruitment stories, etc. In addtion, go to the sorority recruitment forum and read all the stickies, especially adpiucf's very comprehensive post that is stickied and APhiAnna's post on conversation skills.

Be sure to look at the clothes in the TCU recruitment brochure and if there is a variety of looks for each round then I would suggest going with the one that is on the dressier end of the spectrum. Most of the other PNMs will put forth a very polished look. Brush up on your conversation skills. I would expect that one question you will get a lot is how did you find TCU all the way from China?!? Have an interesting response to that one. In addition, read up on the football and baseball teams. The student body is definitely into those sports so that can help with conversation should those topics come up.

If your parents are concerned, then you can stress that sorority women consistently make higher grades than non-sorority women (and have for decades) and that the sorority culture at TCU is not one of hazing at all. In fact, it is one where students from all over can find a home away from home. You can also highlight the philanthropic efforts by the entire Greek community. At this point, you have probably just heard about NPC recruitment, but there are also other councils with fantastic chapters that you may also find your fit with, so don't feel that you are limited to just the 11 NPC groups. With approx 40% of women at TCU being Greek, there are many different options.

Best of luck.

[Bessy]

Originally Posted by Blondie93

Hi Bessy-

In the message you asked for advice since you are coming from China, and the best advice that I can give you is to contact the Fort Worth Alumnae Panhellenic, as I did above. Although I can't seem to find the line on their website at the moment, I do know that I have read in the past few weeks that they do try to help students who come from areas where there would not be many sorority alumnae. You will absolutely, positively, without question, need recs to all 11 groups, so contact them and see if they can offer you some guidance/assistance. I am sorry, but like most of the other posters on GC, I am hesitant to write recs for PNMs that contact me through this site.

In addition to contacting the FW Panhellenic, I would suggest spending some time on this site simply reading. There are actually numerous threads about TCU, several recruitment stories, etc. In addtion, go to the sorority recruitment forum and read all the stickies, especially adpiucf's very comprehensive post that is stickied and APhiAnna's post on conversation skills.

Be sure to look at the clothes in the TCU recruitment brochure and if there is a variety of looks for each round then I would suggest going with the one that is on the dressier end of the spectrum. Most of the other PNMs will put forth a very polished look. Brush up on your conversation skills. I would expect that one question you will get a lot is how did you find TCU all the way from China?!? Have an interesting response to that one. In addition, read up on the football and baseball teams. The student body is definitely into those sports so that can help with conversation should those topics come up.

If your parents are concerned, then you can stress that sorority women consistently make higher grades than non-sorority women (and have for decades) and that the sorority culture at TCU is not one of hazing at all. In fact, it is one where students from all over can find a home away from home. You can also highlight the philanthropic efforts by the entire Greek community. At this point, you have probably just heard about NPC recruitment, but there are also other councils with fantastic chapters that you may also find your fit with, so don't feel that you are limited to just the 11 NPC groups. With approx 40% of women at TCU being Greek, there are many different options.

Best of luck.

Thank you very much for giving me so much advice! I totally understand that your concern about the recs.
I will contact them.
I really thank you for spending so much time writing such a long article to help me! Really!
I will try to do these work by myself.

Thanks again!

Bessy