Questions for NPCers

[AngryApple]

Before I get into the questions, I should preface this:

Last fall (05) I was a transfer to a University; over the summer, I'd come across XYZ, a non-NPC chapter (rather, a UGC chapter). After the semester started (and subsequently, some research), I decided to participate in the sorority's Rush. I did get a bid, accepted it, and became a New Member. Long story short, I was de-pledged after about a week and a half.

Policies and Pledge requirements aside, I personally felt like I was not really welcomed into the GLO, despite the fact that it was a mutual decision. Perhaps I was, but I didn't feel like it; looking at the other (mostly NPC) sororities on campus, I felt like the NMs were not as cherished in the GLO that I was in as in others. And it was a small chapter: about 16 girls with five pledges (all of whom de-pledged; myself and another girl were the last ones finished and were informed by the chapter that they were halting our process).

I have no bad feelings towards them whatsoever.

However, now I'm seriously debating participating in the 2006 NPC Fall Rush. As a sophmore/junior, I feel even more nervous about it because of the nature of my college standing. Anyway...

My question is, how do you feel about recruiting new members? Is it exciting, or is it more burdensome? My main concern is that if I somehow make it through everything I may end up with the same scenario. Are my feelings completely unfounded, or is what I went through a less-than-usual experience?

I also want to find out if it was more awkward for upper(upper!)classmen to participate in Rush than it may be for underclassmen (Apologies; I realize this as been asked countless times in many different ways)? Is there necessarily more pressure, and are they/are they not held to the same standards as the underclass PNMs? Do Sororities feel like there is a different attitude/stigma/smell/anything? about upperclass Rushees?

One last (potentially repetitive) question: When you were rushing, did you feel that the GLOs tended to represent the core ideals of their Organizations pretty accurately?


Thank you guys a bunch, and I'm sorry for all the repetitiveness!