Question: UCLA Rush

[bruinlove13]

I am from the South, and many of my friends are going to or are currently at southern schools where rush is extremely large and extremely competitve. I don't know anyone who is going to or is at UCLA, so I was wondering if any West Coasters can provide me with any insight? I have given my rush packets to the women who are writing my recommendations, but beyond that I feel really lost. I'm really nervous so anything is greatly appreciated!

[Old_Row]

Try using the search.

[DubaiSis]

If it's you getting cut, it's competitive.
Rush in the general sense will be the same at UCLA as in the South, but my perception is there won't be quite as much importance placed on family connections and rigid etiquette. Basically the same reasons you were probably drawn to going to UCLA versus a southern school will also be true of how rush is different.

But don't underestimate the importance of good conversation, making personal connections and behaving in a ladylike manner. And of course, keep an open mind and don't limit yourself to a few "best" chapters. If you get in, it MUST be the best, so, just like in the south, don't worry about what the other girls are saying.

UCLA's Greek system is growing quickly. One sorority is colonizing this fall and one is on the agenda for a few years from now. Any of the sororities that might have been struggling a few years ago are doing better now, so don't let a years' old reputation keep you from going with the chapter/s you like the most, or who likes YOU the most.

Dress isn't going to be as formal. I'm sure their website has dress suggestions. From reading a lot here, the general rule of thumb is go one step better than the pictures.

And finally, don't try to be someone you're not just because you are in a new part of the country. You trying to look, sound or behave like what you think a California girl is like is only going to backfire. But also don't lay on the southern just to be cute. Fake is fake is fake and nobody wants it. Good luck!

[ChioLu]

Excellent points, DubaiSis!

UCLA is competitive. I advise there and am in the War Room all week. There will probably be between 800-900 going through Recruitment. 11 sororities, with 1 more recolonizing this fall. High matching percentage, if you keep your options/mind open. Most PMNs who do not receive a bid have dropped out because they had their minds set on only certain groups. Stellar grades, lots of activities and being a good conversationalist are always attributes.

2013 Formal Recruitment Schedule:
September 21st: GO Greek Event: Bruin Football vs New Mexico State
(Go to the game! Be on your best behavior. Smile. Do NOT drink. You will see all sorority women wearing their UCLA Go Greek t-shirts at the game and you can make an impression -- either Good or Bad. There have been PNM's who have sunk their opportunity for a bid by being intoxicated at the game & everyone saw it.)

September 22nd: GO Greek Event: Bruin Bash Concert and Dance

(Great way to meet Greeks at this fun event. Ditto on your best behavior & no drinking)

September 23rd: GO Greek Event: Enormous Activities Fair and MANDATORY

Recruitment Orientation

(There will be a Greek tent and maybe, even, some celebrities who are Greek alums. I would advise anyone going through Rush to stop by the Greek tent and say "Hi". There will be reps from all chapters there & another chance to be seen ... & remembered.)

*** A 1 day break on Tuesday, 9/24, but there are "Volunteer Day" activities ***

September 25th: Recruitment Begins with Open House Round Part #1
(This is the only full weekday of parties. Other weekdays will start in the late afternoon or early evening, after classes. Change your shoes during the meal break -- you'll be doing a lot of walking & Hilgard Ave., aka Sorority Row, is one BIG hill.)

September 26th: First Day of Classes and Open House Round Part #2
(If you have an afternoon or evening class conflict, let Greek Life know asap. They will make accommodations so you can do 1/2 parties in order to go to all the houses. While you are going to UCLA to study, missing a whole party is not recommended. Let Troy, Director of Greek Life, help!)

September 27th: Service and Chapter Living Round (House Tours) - up to 8 parties
(Again, if you have a class conflict, let Greek Life know & they will make you an alternate schedule.You do NOT want to miss out going to a chapter and make an impression, even if it's just 15 minutes -- or EVEN if it's a chapter that's lower on your list. Word gets around.)

September 28th: Entertainment Round - up to 5 parties
(Since the next day is Pref, you go from 5 parties to 2 ... and chapters go from lists of 5 deep to lists of 2 deep. Big decisions on both sides.)
September 29th: Preference Round (Morning) and Bid Day (Evening)
September 30th: First Dinner on the Row and Chapter Meetings

Greek membership has increased steadily in the past 7 years. In 2005, Total was 120, now it's 160. There isn't a wide gap in membership at each chapter. Very similar numbers. (Though, a lot of Juniors & Seniors take their Study Abroad Fall semester, so some chapters may have a dozen women gone during Recruitment, but they are in Spain, London, Australia, etc. & back in January. Additionally, Seniors who are studying for the early October LSATs are usually excused from Rush. A chapter might look like it's smaller, but that may not be the case.)

UCLA is not as driven by Recommendations compared to schools in the South, but we LOVE getting Recs! More than one Rec is not necessary (unless you suspect the 1st person you asked may not write one, or forget to). No more than that -- it's overkill. I would estimate 90% of your New Member Class will NOT have a Rec to the chapter they receive a bid. (For me, moving here from Atlanta, that's a shock.) That doesn't mean Recs aren't important. I also check the Final Recruitment #s and the women who have Recs, find a home more often than not.

Dress -- this is Cali and we are laid back. Here's a guide from the Bruins Panhellenic website: http://www.npcbruins.com/what-to-wear
Not as many Lilly dresses on the West Coast. Browse thru the npcbruins site. Lots of good info.

I know when you read the suggestion to bring a sweater, you might think someone is out of their mind, but it can drop 20 DEGREES from day to evening. So if it's 78 (with little humidity) for the daytime parties or classes, it could be 58 degrees for the evening parties. Bring a sweater or jacket -- you can always put it in the "pile of purses" which are in front of every house during the party. (Don't worry, there are Panhell Reps watching over these items.)

Many women from the South come to UCLA and join Greek Life. I'm sure you'll meet a few in each chapter during the week. (Not like you'll purposely be matched with another Southern ... LOL. Oh wait, you probably will be.)

[bruinlove13]

Thank you all for being so nice and giving me advice! It was much appreciated I've looked on the website and everything but there's no date for the last day they accept rec letters. Should I assume it's July 15th like many other places?

[ChioLu]

If you go to this page -- http://www.npcbruins.com/sororities -- you can click each sorority name, then click the link to their local webpage and check each chapter.
You can also find each GLO's facebook link.

Since UCLA is not Rec-driven, there may be NO deadline stated. I don't know of any house at UCLA that has a deadline. I think most houses will even take Recs during Recruitment. (Don't faint.) To be on the safe side, you might want to get them in by Labor Day. It's not a deal-breaker if you don't.

[ChioLu]

(sorry for the consecutive posts)

UCLA Recruitment Registration is now LIVE!!!!!
https://secureapp.icsrecruiter.com/I...spx?UID=UNCALA


Cost is a NON-REFUNDABLE FEE of $50 before September 1st. The fee will increase to $60 after September 1st. After September 22nd, the fee will increase to $75. You pay on the website (secured payment).

Helpful hints:
* If you have a local alumnae Panhellenic association, register with them (google the name of your city -- example "Hometown Alumnae Panhellenic Association"). They are there to help you.
* Create a Recruitment resume. You can email this to alumnae who are writing Recommendations for you. This resume should have your name, address, phone, email, SAT/ACT score, school gpa/activities/honors/awards, charity involvement, work experience, & list any relatives who are Greek (mom is an ABC from Big State U., your brother is a XYZ at Pac 12 University). Keep it 1 page. Don't lie/exaggerate, but don't just list a few things. Like job resume, this is a time to show your accomplishments.
Here's an example from the Houston Panhellenic (add a photo and save your final copy in a pdf): http://www.houston-panhellenic.org/r...e_03032010.pdf
* On-line application: there may be a "inactivity time out" on the UCLA form, and the application is SEVEN pages, so have all your information in front of you: like your Recruitment resume, student ID #, dorm or college address info, etc. There's no time limit to finishing, but don't leave your computer for a half hour or you might have to start again.
* Make sure to actually SUBMIT a photo. While it's not a deal breaker, it helps the sorority women recognize you when you walk through the door. Why put yourself at a disadvantage? And, of course, NO pics with a drink in your hand (like a red Solo cup) or anything inappropriate or illegal.

[DubaiSis]

A head shot, like the senior picture you used for the yearbook is best, but only if you still look pretty much the same a year later. If you've changed your hair color, gotten contacts, got the braces off, etc., then have a friend or parent take a new head and shoulders picture, straight on (or have a professional do it!) and submit that one. The idea is for them to be able to recognize you, not judge you on appearance or personality in advance so no cutesy stuff.

[LAblondeGPhi]

Originally Posted by bruinlove13

Thank you all for being so nice and giving me advice! It was much appreciated I've looked on the website and everything but there's no date for the last day they accept rec letters. Should I assume it's July 15th like many other places?

I'm an alumna of UCLA and was recruitment advisor for my chapter up through 2010. In my experience, maybe 10% of the PNMs sent in letters of recommendation. That very well may be different for other chapters and may have changed, but I doubt it has changed drastically over the past few years.

I do want to point out that UCLA always seems to have a sizeable group of women who sign up for recruitment when they get to campus, and many of them will find a home they love, despite having done little prep for recruitment. It's a campus that very much looks for personality, poise, and fit over connections or recommendations.

I personally think that part of that dynamic helps produce a healthy Greek system at UCLA: not every PNM knows the reputations, and many will go through driven purely by their personal fit and interactions with each chapter.

All that being said, there are always well-prepared PNMs and legacies who are disappointed. There are a lot of women who go through recruitment, and many times the cuts at each chapter can seem arbitrary - the margin between the last invited and first declined will be razor thin.

Bottom line:
Practice your conversation, plan cute outfits, be up on pop culture and current events, be excited but (if you can) minimally nervous, be gracious, be your best self, and be open-minded. You'll find a great home, I promise.

[Nervousmama]

I don't mean to be a bore but does anyone else find the misspelling after the recruitment site talks about GPA requirements funny?

"ACADEMIC RECORD RELEASE: I understand that to register for recruitment, I must be a regularly enrolled, full-time student in good standing with the University of California, Los Angeles with a 2.0 or better cumulative GPA (most soroities are a 2.5 for returning students). I authorize UCLA's Center for Student Programming, Fraternity & Sorority Relations to verify my academic eligibility."

[ASUADPi]

[mini hijack]

Why does UCLA start classes at the end of September? That seems so late.

[/end mini hijack]

[AXOmom]

Originally Posted by ASUADPi

[mini hijack]

Why does UCLA start classes at the end of September? That seems so late.

[/end mini hijack]

Four schools in the Pac-12 (UCLA, Oregon, Oregon State, and Washington) are on the quarter system, so they all begin late in September. Spring quarter for these schools usually ends around the second week in June.

[Benzgirl]

Shameless plug for the recolonization of Alpha Gamma Delta. https://www.facebook.com/BruinsAlphaGam

[DubaiSis]

Shame on (not shame on you.... just for it with the shame )! I'm rooting for you to do great so that our upcoming entree into the field is anticipated warmly in 2 years.

[ChioLu]

I think AGD's recolonization will be a success. I got a peak inside the house a few months ago and it was looking great! The girls' kitchen has granite counters, new stainless appliances, white subway tile backsplash. It looked like something from HGTV.