Don't bash me because I'm a newbie..

lovepinkxo · #1 07-24-2009, 01:15 AM

I'm a female, upcoming junior in high school. I plan on going to a large SEC school, and I know I really want to go Greek.

(Okay, I know all of you mock people like me in the newbie threads, but hear me out, please.)

I don't care if you're a girl, (or a guy looking through this thread), were in a sorority/frat, wanted to be in one, or just weren't a part of one.

What are genuine pieces of advice you can give me on this entire process?

And no, I'm not totally clueless. I won't be posting to multiple boards asking the same thing, saying "I LOVE XYZ!", requesting recs from random strangers, or posting something that has clearly been posted again.

What advice would you give me? I have about 2 more years until this whole thing actually happens, and I want to be best prepared as possible for this process, no matter where I go to school.

Thanks ya'll

PS: My user name is NOT associated with any sorority, (I realized this after reading posts, specifically from Chi Omega's/Phi Mu's..) Just clearing up any confusion.

Thanks again!

EDIT -- I'm sorry if some of you thought that my tone had come off as 'snooty' What I meant from the "I don't care if you're a girl, (or a guy looking through this thread), were in a sorority/frat, wanted to be in one, or just weren't a part of one." Meant advice from ANYONE WHO HAS RUSHED. What pre-requisites helped them in the process? Did they get a bid yet not join? (i.e,: "weren't a part of one") Seriously. I'm not trying to sound snooty at all, just from previous browsing of the GC forums I see that newbies are the targets of jokes/rude comments (much like I am getting now!) And I just wanted to set a straight forward question while trying not to get the rude, idiotic comments directed to me being associated as a newbie.

For those of you who have left nice comments, thank you. I appreciate your .2 cents.

& for those of you who don't, I don't really care.

Thanks.

Ps: By me saying that "I have a life" I'm not implying that all of you don't have lives by being associated with the GC posts/threads. From some of the comments that I have received have been directed to me being dumb and that I need to read the forums. I meant by saying "I have a life" by meaning that I don't have all day to devour the hundreds of threads on this board.

knight_shadow · #2 07-24-2009, 01:22 AM

You should be focusing on graduating high school, but you seem to have a good head on your shoulders (since you actually READ the threads lol).

Check this link out: http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...ad.php?t=54403

I'm sure some NPC-ers will pop in to give you some more advice.

Good luck.

Psi U MC Vito · #3 07-24-2009, 01:22 AM

Focus on school first. You have years before you have to even consider going Greek, but you need to do well enough in HS to get into a school of your choice. So don't even worry about rushing yet at all, not like it would do you any good at all.

Smile_Awhile · #4 07-24-2009, 01:23 AM

Use your last two years to polish your resume- community service, leadership positions, etc.

Put out your feelers now for those who could write you recs for each group. Ask teachers, those at your church, friend's mothers. This will make the summer before your entrance into college easier.

However, focus on getting into school first. Sorority comes later.

lovepinkxo · #5 07-24-2009, 01:50 AM

Haha, all of this is true.

Thank you though

Psi U MC Vito · #6 07-24-2009, 01:56 AM

Also you might change your mind about going Greek in between now and going to school. People can change quite a bit in two years.

ASTalumna06 · #7 07-24-2009, 01:59 AM

Your question is very broad and probably won't be answered with any great detail.

Take the advice that's been given to you, and take some breaks from all of that schoolwork and community service you'll be doing to read posts here. I've been a member of Greekchat for about a year now, and I now know a whole lot of information about the Greek system that I never learned in the 5 years since I first became a part of it. If you just read, use the search function, and learn, I'm sure you'll be well-informed come two years from now when you start recruitment.

Good luck

Penguin08 · #8 07-24-2009, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smile_Awhile

Use your last two years to polish your resume- community service, leadership positions, etc.

Put out your feelers now for those who could write you recs for each group. Ask teachers, those at your church, friend's mothers. This will make the summer before your entrance into college easier.

However, focus on getting into school first. Sorority comes later.

All very good advice! Just don't get too caught up in getting into a sorority that you mess up in school

kddani · #9 07-24-2009, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovepinkxo

I'm a female, upcoming junior in high school. I plan on going to a large SEC school, and I know I really want to go Greek.

(Okay, I know all of you mock people like me in the newbie threads, but hear me out, please.)

I don't care if your a girl, (or a guy looking through this thread), were in a sorority/frat, wanted to be in one, or just weren't apart of one.

What are genuine pieces of advice you can give me on this entire process?

And no, I'm not totally clueless. I won't be posting to multiple boards asking the same thing, saying "I LOVE XYZ!", requesting recs from random strangers, or posting something that has clearly been posted again.

What advice would you give me? I have about 2 more years until this whole thing actually happens, and I want to be best prepared as possible for this process, no matter where I go to school.

Thanks ya'll

PS: My user name is NOT associated with any sorority, (I realized this after reading posts, specifically from Phi Mu's..) Just clearing up any confusion.

Thanks again!

QFP.

Honestly, this isn't a particularly endearing approach when you're asking people for help and advice. Newbies don't get bashed unless they're rude or incessantly stupid. I don't think your questions are stupid, but I do think your approach is quite rude. You may want to rethink your tone and approach because you'll get more helpful answers.

FSUZeta · #10 07-24-2009, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smile_Awhile

Use your last two years to polish your resume- community service, leadership positions, etc.

Put out your feelers now for those who could write you recs for each group. Ask teachers, those at your church, friend's mothers. This will make the summer before your entrance into college easier.

However, focus on getting into school first. Sorority comes later.

what she said. plus, keep your grades up.

libelle · #11 07-24-2009, 09:06 AM

Ditto grades. Too many times I have had to tell lovely young women (including family members) that they are at grade risk. The minimum grade to participate in recruitment is far lower than the minimum grades sought by many of our chapters.

DrPhil · #12 07-24-2009, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kddani

QFP.

Honestly, this isn't a particularly endearing approach when you're asking people for help and advice. Newbies don't get bashed unless they're rude or incessantly stupid. I don't think your questions are stupid, but I do think your approach is quite rude. You may want to rethink your tone and approach because you'll get more helpful answers.

Glad I read ahead.

Yet another "OMG, meanies, I really need help" thread.

Zillini · #13 07-24-2009, 11:09 AM

My 2 cents for an upcoming PNM for a large competitive SEC Recruitment:

GPA - The higher the better. If you are worried about any Chapter or Panhellenic minimum, it is probably not good enough. Find out the Panhellenic average for that campus (often on their website) and strive to surpass that.

Extracurricular Activities - Many and diverse. If for example you are a superstar volleyball player and volleyball is the only thing you have done during HS, this may pose a problem. Many Chapters are looking for multi-faceted members. Also remember that while everyone in your HS/town may know what the ABC club is, the Chapters may not have a clue. Briefely explain what this is on your resume.

Leadership - Not everyone can be the HS SGA Pres, but there are tons of ways to demonstrate leadership. Almost every club/org has committees. Also, if it's not something obvious (like Treasurer) explain what your responsibilities were and how you showed leadership.

Community Service/Volunteering - Again, many and diverse. It should show a commitment to helping others.

Network - Look for alums now who may be willing to write Recs. Also, as an upcoming HS Junior neither you nor Chapter members are bound by Panhellenic "No Contact" rules. Do you know any active Greeks or did anyone recently graduate from your HS go Greek? Regardless of which University or GLO, reach out to them because they've got friends. I've often heard comments like "My boyfriend's sister knows this PNM and says she's really great!"

KSUViolet06 · #14 07-24-2009, 11:31 AM

I'm sorry, but have you READ the stickies?

Also, have you done a SEARCH?

I'm not trying to be rude, but the BEST advice on the boards is already there for you to read.

We don't bash newbies, but we do get a little annoyed when they don't do searches.

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...ad.php?t=30758
http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...ad.php?t=54403
http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...d.php?t=105842
http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...light=facebook

Yes, it's alot of reading, and it's not "instant advice" but you'll be pretty prepared if you read it all.

ComradesTrue · #15 07-24-2009, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovepinkxo

I don't care if your a girl, (or a guy looking through this thread), were in a sorority/frat, wanted to be in one, or just weren't apart of one.

My advice? Read my signature.

I do mean this in this nicest way possible: No one will care what is on your resume if you can't spell basic words.