PNM's and Researching

[PersistentDST]

I've been reading a quite a few threads in here regarding NPC recruitment, and I have a couple of questions. This is not judging, just for my personal information into the recruitment culture. I don't want to make this a NPC vs NPHC thread, I work in Higher Education, and have an interest in perhaps working in Greek Life one day. I'd love your perspectives and knowledge!

Do PNM's do extensive research on the organizations represented at their college, or is it just for basics like foundings, philanthropies and information like that? I know that can be rough when someone has the possibility of getting into 14 different orgs depending on the school.

I know in my pursuit of Delta, I did a lot of research on the 3 other sororities in the NPHC, before choosing Delta and showing interest. (I won't lie...clear Delta bias since I was 14, but I really did research!) Since NPC orgs have the bid system, is it wrong to have ones heart set on a specific org, or should one accept where they land, so to speak?

I hope these questions aren't perceived as disrespectful! Thank you very much in advance!

[carnation]

Some do research now that the information is so readily available on the Web but in a competitive recruitment, it really doesn't matter if you did or not. The sororities want who they want.

Often a PNM can come across as stalkerish if she mentioned that she researched the group. She must be careful how she says it!

[Sen's Revenge]

Originally Posted by PersistentDST

Since NPC orgs have the bid system, is it wrong to have ones heart set on a specific org, or should one accept where they land, so to speak?

I have learned from GC that one should not have their heart set on a specific organization if they want the collegiate sorority experience.

[DrPhil]

Soror, this has been discussed a lot on GC over the years. I wish I could find one of the threads quite similar to this. Can anyone link us to an old thread? Some discussions became combative and some were informative. It helped us to learn that we can celebrate our differences.

[PersistentDST]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Soror, this has been discussed a lot on GC over the years. I wish I could find one of the threads quite similar to this. Can anyone link us to an old thread? Some discussions became combative and some were informative. It helped us to learn that we can celebrate our differences.

Right Soror,
I did some serious searching but most of what I pulled up was the understanding of what one shouldn't do mostly directed towards PNM's. I just know if I'm working in a Greek Life office I want to understand all the orgs and their cultures! I like a positive dialogue as well. Great to understand differences!

When I was an undergrad my roommate rushed and her Grandmother passed away during the week. She missed some recruitment during the week and ended up only getting a bid in what was a less than desirable sorority by all the girls in my hall. Me and some other Black girls in the hall (we were pretty right group as a hallway goes) were like, "Why not just join XY or XYZ?!" We were so confused. They just said it doesn't work like that. So we left it at that.

[PersistentDST]

Originally Posted by carnation

Some do research now that the information is so readily available on the Web but in a competitive recruitment, it really doesn't matter if you did or not. The sororities want who they want.

Often a PNM can come across as stalkerish if she mentioned that she researched the group. She must be careful how she says it!

Gotcha! It probably isn't logical to do tons of research if odds are small you're going to get in the org in the first place since you can only do one.

[AOII Angel]

It is a different culture. In many ways, NPC organizations can be very interchangeable with our values and histories. We focus more on fit than picking based on research. Membership selection doesn't focus on whether or not PNMs have a working knowledge of our histories, symbols and values. It focuses more on whether or not the PNM reflects the type of member in the group or what the group wants our members to be. We want our members to develop relationships that will hopefully last a lifetime. It's a different focus than NPHC which is focused instead on serving the African American community. Researching each organization and knowing which one is right for your before persuing the organization is more important for that goal. In NPC world, developing relationships is the goal. Researching the history doesn't help with that.

[Lettered]

So I thought I would come out of lurking to explain it the best I can.

The NPC PNM does research, especially in what is known as "competitive" recruitment. However, the research is not on the colors of each sorority and their mascot, the research is about the process. So the PNM will learn what a rec is, how to get one, from who, what the different stages of rush are, that they are not "cutting" chapters, etc. They learn that if they want to be a part of Greek life, often times it may not mean getting the chapter of their dreams.

And let me take a moment to emphasize the chapter piece. For NPHC, you can pretty much give the "national" identity of the Divine 9, even if you were to (correctly) identify it as a stereotype. In NPC, this works differently. So the "super studious not that into make up" chapter might be ABC at University One, and the "party animals" are XYZ, but at College Two the stereotype may be the complete opposite. So in NPC, you will see the chapter connection stressed. The connection you make when you meet the members in recruitment, because those women become your sisters. This may also factor into why a legacy PNM may shy away from a chapter, despite the family connection. The PNM is looking for their personal "fit" and "home", not that of their mothers.

In NPHC, the international sorority (usually) is stressed. So that it does not matter what the "reputation" is at University One or College Two---based upon your research you identify what resonates in you and you pursue that. And if you are an "awful" fit for that chapter, it is stressed that the sisterhood is for a lifetime and that (hopefully) more time will be spent as an involved alumnae than as an involved collegiate. Just like for PNMs who are told in large chapters of hundreds of women you should find someone to connect with, a NPHC legacy may receive a similar message that the members on campus are only a small percentage of a larger organization and if you decide to join a sorority, your legacy should be the choice. The NPHC version of "maximizing your options" is doing your research to be a strong applicant and like NPC this is a mutual selection process, so legacy counts for "something" but not everything. That is why the graduate intake is a well known option, and many members include those who tried....and tried again.

That graduate option is not pervasive in NPC, and a stroll into the AI forum can discuss that at greater length. That is why it is stressed to the PNM to maximize their options in formal recruitment, and while COB may be a chance, it does not necessarily insure a bid. So recruitment is your best shot to join a sisterhood, as all the sisterhoods are formed or shared values and moral ideals.

So does that help? Both the NPC PNM and the NPHC aspirant, should do research on what the intake process entails for their organizations, though the research process is often very different, not good vs bad, just different. And the recruitment process vs membership intake process address those differences in research. So just like a PNM should not wear a Pref dress to Round 1 and not expect a few stares, an aspirant should not go up to a member and say they are turning in an application to all the NPHC sororities on campus and hope to make one of their lines. It just doesn't work that way.

[Sen's Revenge]

Originally Posted by Lettered

So I thought I would come out of lurking to explain it the best I can.

The NPC PNM does research, especially in what is known as "competitive" recruitment. However, the research is not on the colors of each sorority and their mascot, the research is about the process. So the PNM will learn what a rec is, how to get one, from who, what the different stages of rush are, that they are not "cutting" chapters, etc. They learn that if they want to be a part of Greek life, often times it may not mean getting the chapter of their dreams.

And let me take a moment to emphasize the chapter piece. For NPHC, you can pretty much give the "national" identity of the Divine 9, even if you were to (correctly) identify it as a stereotype. In NPC, this works differently. So the "super studious not that into make up" chapter might be ABC at University One, and the "party animals" are XYZ, but at College Two the stereotype may be the complete opposite. So in NPC, you will see the chapter connection stressed. The connection you make when you meet the members in recruitment, because those women become your sisters. This may also factor into why a legacy PNM may shy away from a chapter, despite the family connection. The PNM is looking for their personal "fit" and "home", not that of their mothers.

In NPHC, the international sorority (usually) is stressed. So that it does not matter what the "reputation" is at University One or College Two---based upon your research you identify what resonates in you and you pursue that. And if you are an "awful" fit for that chapter, it is stressed that the sisterhood is for a lifetime and that (hopefully) more time will be spent as an involved alumnae than as an involved collegiate. Just like for PNMs who are told in large chapters of hundreds of women you should find someone to connect with, a NPHC legacy may receive a similar message that the members on campus are only a small percentage of a larger organization and if you decide to join a sorority, your legacy should be the choice. The NPHC version of "maximizing your options" is doing your research to be a strong applicant and like NPC this is a mutual selection process, so legacy counts for "something" but not everything. That is why the graduate intake is a well known option, and many members include those who tried....and tried again.

That graduate option is not pervasive in NPC, and a stroll into the AI forum can discuss that at greater length. That is why it is stressed to the PNM to maximize their options in formal recruitment, and while COB may be a chance, it does not necessarily insure a bid. So recruitment is your best shot to join a sisterhood, as all the sisterhoods are formed or shared values and moral ideals.

So does that help? Both the NPC PNM and the NPHC aspirant, should do research on what the intake process entails for their organizations, though the research process is often very different, not good vs bad, just different. And the recruitment process vs membership intake process address those differences in research. So just like a PNM should not wear a Pref dress to Round 1 and not expect a few stares, an aspirant should not go up to a member and say they are turning in an application to all the NPHC sororities on campus and hope to make one of their lines. It just doesn't work that way.

QFPB!

[AnchorAlumna]

Originally Posted by Sen's Revenge

QFPB!

Um....does that mean you approve of the explanation?

[DrPhil]

Lettered's post was perfect. Lurker Lettered needs to post more often.

[Sen's Revenge]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

Um....does that mean you approve of the explanation?

Quote for a praise break!

[PersistentDST]

Originally Posted by Lettered

So I thought I would come out of lurking to explain it the best I can.

The NPC PNM does research, especially in what is known as "competitive" recruitment. However, the research is not on the colors of each sorority and their mascot, the research is about the process. So the PNM will learn what a rec is, how to get one, from who, what the different stages of rush are, that they are not "cutting" chapters, etc. They learn that if they want to be a part of Greek life, often times it may not mean getting the chapter of their dreams.

And let me take a moment to emphasize the chapter piece. For NPHC, you can pretty much give the "national" identity of the Divine 9, even if you were to (correctly) identify it as a stereotype. In NPC, this works differently. So the "super studious not that into make up" chapter might be ABC at University One, and the "party animals" are XYZ, but at College Two the stereotype may be the complete opposite. So in NPC, you will see the chapter connection stressed. The connection you make when you meet the members in recruitment, because those women become your sisters. This may also factor into why a legacy PNM may shy away from a chapter, despite the family connection. The PNM is looking for their personal "fit" and "home", not that of their mothers.

In NPHC, the international sorority (usually) is stressed. So that it does not matter what the "reputation" is at University One or College Two---based upon your research you identify what resonates in you and you pursue that. And if you are an "awful" fit for that chapter, it is stressed that the sisterhood is for a lifetime and that (hopefully) more time will be spent as an involved alumnae than as an involved collegiate. Just like for PNMs who are told in large chapters of hundreds of women you should find someone to connect with, a NPHC legacy may receive a similar message that the members on campus are only a small percentage of a larger organization and if you decide to join a sorority, your legacy should be the choice. The NPHC version of "maximizing your options" is doing your research to be a strong applicant and like NPC this is a mutual selection process, so legacy counts for "something" but not everything. That is why the graduate intake is a well known option, and many members include those who tried....and tried again.

That graduate option is not pervasive in NPC, and a stroll into the AI forum can discuss that at greater length. That is why it is stressed to the PNM to maximize their options in formal recruitment, and while COB may be a chance, it does not necessarily insure a bid. So recruitment is your best shot to join a sisterhood, as all the sisterhoods are formed or shared values and moral ideals.

So does that help? Both the NPC PNM and the NPHC aspirant, should do research on what the intake process entails for their organizations, though the research process is often very different, not good vs bad, just different. And the recruitment process vs membership intake process address those differences in research. So just like a PNM should not wear a Pref dress to Round 1 and not expect a few stares, an aspirant should not go up to a member and say they are turning in an application to all the NPHC sororities on campus and hope to make one of their lines. It just doesn't work that way.

Thank you kindly!!! This laid out the answer!!! The differences are clearly night and day!

[WhiteDaisy128]

I wanted to throw in a thought too...I think most (not all) of the people on Greek Chat (regardless of GLO affiliation) tend to be "researchers" anyway.
Maybe not super in depth, but people come to message boards usually to gather information and they end up staying if they like the culture. I'd like to think that most PNMs who have been on Greek Chat are a little more knowledgable about NPC Greek Life than the typical PNM.

I have found that those of us on Greek Chat are "super believers" in our organizations, moreso than a lot of our brothers and sisters "in real life." Not to say they don't love our organizations and/or are not dedicated to them, but CGers tend to be more passionate about Greek life in general. It totally makes sense, but could be one of those "common sense" things that gets missed when thinking about questions like this. So, in general, our answers may not reflect the broader set of PNMs.

This kinda makes me tick a little, but, in general, I'd say girls going through NPC recruitment have done enough research to know that they don't want to be XYZ because their colors aren't pretty enough. It's much much much more surface level research - colors, motto, reputation (as mentioned above) than those pursuing membership in a D9 organization. And honestly, the information gathered in the "research" process doesn't really help because of the way the recruitment process works.

Most people seeking to join an NPHC organization are "do or die" one organization...it's not like that in NPC orgs...in fact, it's generally looked down upon to only want one specific sorority.

[TPA85]

When I went through recruitment I spent the 2-3ish weeks prior doing some research on the 5 at my school.. It was all "surface" stuff, I wasn't looking up rituals or anything, but it did come up in a couple situations during parties.
"Let me tell you about our philanthropy.."
"Oh, it's (whatever cause), correct?"
(look of wtf from the active)
"I did some research before deciding to rush.."
(look of total creeped out WTFness)

It seems like they thought I was some crazy stalker pnm and I genuinely feel like it hurt my game more than helped.