Is bigger or smaller better when it comes to sororities?

libby08 · #1 02-09-2009, 12:41 AM

My name is Libby. I've been accepted by my two top choices for college. Im super happy about that! They are both amazing and I simply can't decide! I am taking everything into consideration. I was wondering if I would have a better chance of getting into the sorority of my choice at a large school with many sororities or at a smaller school with less. I need help and fast!

Thanks

#2 02-09-2009, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by libby08

My name is Libby. I've been accepted by my two top choices for college. Im super happy about that! They are both amazing and I simply can't decide! I am taking everything into consideration. I was wondering if I would have a better chance of getting into the sorority of my choice at a large school with many sororities or at a smaller school with less. I need help and fast!

Thanks

Choose the school that's best for you academically, not the one that gives the best odds of getting into a sorority.

Read this: http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...d.php?t=101788

ZTA72 · #3 02-09-2009, 12:49 AM

There is no way to know the answer to your questions. Please pick the school you will be happiest with and please know that sorority membership is mutual selection. Nothing is set in stone.
All this to say, who knows! Good luck!

Senusret I · #4 02-09-2009, 12:49 AM

I would suggest doing a search using [name of your school] and [recruitment] and see what comes up here on GC. Also the websites for Greek Life at those schools *might* tell you how many girls signed up for rush and how many were extended bids.

Your question is broad, unspecific (nobody can know your chances), yet very very specific to the schools you've been accepted to, so it's best to do this research on your own.

Good luck and congratulations!

Senusret I · #5 02-09-2009, 12:51 AM

Ladies, to be honest, greek life could very well be a deciding factor if the schools are otherwise equal to the young lady.

ZTA72 · #6 02-09-2009, 01:02 AM

very true, but no one can say, YES, you will be in ABC sorority if you choose this school.

LadyLonghorn · #7 02-09-2009, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Senusret I

Ladies, to be honest, greek life could very well be a deciding factor if the schools are otherwise equal to the young lady.

Agreed. But it isn't a matter of "bigger" versus "smaller." Some bigger Greek systems have very laid back recruitments and some smaller ones are infamously cut throat. All other things being equal, I think it's more a matter of finding the right cultural fit versus comparing the "odds."

violetpretty · #8 02-09-2009, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LadyLonghorn

Agreed. But it isn't a matter of "bigger" versus "smaller." Some bigger Greek systems have very laid back recruitments and some smaller ones are infamously cut throat. All other things being equal, I think it's more a matter of finding the right cultural fit versus comparing the "odds."

Exactly what I was going to say.

And even if a school has over 15 chapters, the chapters might be more similar than at a campus with 5 uniquely different chapters. Definitely consider the culture. Feel free to ask about the culture of the schools you are considering or do a search if you don't feel comfortable sharing.

AOEforme · #9 02-09-2009, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LadyLonghorn

Agreed. But it isn't a matter of "bigger" versus "smaller." Some bigger Greek systems have very laid back recruitments and some smaller ones are infamously cut throat. All other things being equal, I think it's more a matter of finding the right cultural fit versus comparing the "odds."

Agreed. Because if you want to be an ABC, being an ABC at one school can be very different than being an ABC at another.

Also, being in the bottom tier sororities at some schools will afford you way more opportunities and events than being in a top tier at others.

I agree with looking at culture, rather than your chances, 100%

lawgal · #10 02-09-2009, 10:07 AM

Choose a school where you will be comfortable with its academics and activities regardless of the outcome to recruitment. You don't want to transfer schools if recruitment doesn't turn out the way you would like it to. Greek life is not the only part of the whole college experience.

FSUZeta · #11 02-09-2009, 10:20 AM

do you know any sorority members on either campus? your best answers will come from kids on campus.

33girl · #12 02-09-2009, 01:21 PM

If you are at a bigger school, the competition might be more cutthroat to get into ANY sorority.

However, at a smaller school, the composition of each sorority might be REALLY different and you might only be happy in one of them. You might not be able to get into that one for various reasons. And just because it is a smaller school and maybe not as prestigious a Greek system - don't think it is a cake walk & everyone who wants to pledge gets a bid. They don't.

The thing you should really focus on is chapter size - would you rather be in a sorority of 150 members or one of 40 members?

Good luck and congrats on your acceptances.

agzg · #13 02-09-2009, 01:38 PM

Congratulations on being accepted to your top choices!!!

As far as greek life goes - there's already been some good advice here but I would also like you to consider the following:

If you go through recruitment with an open mind, and it does not work out well for you (and I'm strictly saying you do not get a bid - not that you don't get a bid to your top choice), make sure there are other clubs and organizations on campus to be involved with. A lot of women who are great potential new members have leadership qualities that are wonderful for other clubs and organizations.

Also, you may want to know beforehand whether or not informal recruitment is a.) possible (some schools have many chapters that have a very very very small number of bids to hand out during informal recruitment, or they don't have it at all) and b.) competitive/non-competitive. Find out what organizations have chapters on both campuses, and get recommendations for all of them. If you don't get a bid through formal recruitment, get recommendations for informal recruitment. Even on a non-competitive campus where recommendations are not required, they go a long way with chapters.

I went to a non-competitive school, but formal recruitment is ALWAYS a touch more competitive than informal recruitment. There are schools where it is the other way around. If greek life really is a factor in your college decision, and say it's the breaking point between two equally excellent schools (academically), educate yourself on the greek system for both schools as much as possible.

This includes a little web-research, trying to find websites for panhellenic council, and, if you go on visits, try to set up a chance to talk to the greek advisor or someone in the Office of Student Development (or Student Affairs, or Student Clubs and Organizations, whatever it's called on that campus) so that you can ask any questions face-to-face.

Also, this may just be on my campus but a lot of the tour guides were greek, and they weren't allowed to share their affiliation with potential students. If you have a tour and the guide is greek, then ask that person some of your questions. It's a little easier to get a straight answer when you're a potential student, rather than a current student/potential new member where the sorority women want you to join THEIR specific organization.

Kansas City · #14 02-09-2009, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by libby08

My name is Libby. I've been accepted by my two top choices for college. Im super happy about that! They are both amazing and I simply can't decide! I am taking everything into consideration. I was wondering if I would have a better chance of getting into the sorority of my choice at a large school with many sororities or at a smaller school with less. I need help and fast!

Assuming Greek life is active on both campuses, I'd pick the school that you will feel most comfortable with and then research the chapters located at that school. I personally attended a smaller school (6,000 students) because I didn't want to be in a 400 seat lecture hall. The Greek system at my school was plenty active and I do not regret not attending Big State University because I personally enjoyed not only my "Greek Experience" but more importantly my "College Experience" by attending the school I though would be right for me.

Thetagirl218 · #15 02-09-2009, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Senusret I

I would suggest doing a search using [name of your school] and [recruitment] and see what comes up here on GC. Also the websites for Greek Life at those schools *might* tell you how many girls signed up for rush and how many were extended bids.

Your question is broad, unspecific (nobody can know your chances), yet very very specific to the schools you've been accepted to, so it's best to do this research on your own.

Good luck and congratulations!

Senusret, I think you win the award for the "Best sorority advice by a member of a male fraternity!"