Arizona Greek Life

maggiebeaver · #1 05-25-2014, 01:23 AM

Hii! I'm a PNM for the University of Arizona in the fall. I'm in a bit of a pickle because my mom, and two sisters have all done greek life there and they all ended up in different sororities. They all tell me that I should go with my gut but I feel pressured and a little biased to the 3 sororities, because Ive seen their houses and know which sororities are "cool".
On top of all of it, my sister will be a junior there this fall and we are absolute best friends. I've secretly wanted to be in her sorority but recently I've realized how Ive lived in her shadow my entire life (same sports, same clubs, same activities, same grades, same teachers) and Im definitely not sure about how I would feel if I stayed in her shadow when I get to college.
ALSO currently my cover photo is of my family and my sister is wearing her letters, is this bad for rush?
Thanks!!

ASTalumna06 · #2 05-25-2014, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maggiebeaver

Hii! I'm a PNM for the University of Arizona in the fall. I'm in a bit of a pickle because my mom, and two sisters have all done greek life there and they all ended up in different sororities. They all tell me that I should go with my gut but I feel pressured and a little biased to the 3 sororities, because Ive seen their houses and know which sororities are "cool".
On top of all of it, my sister will be a junior there this fall and we are absolute best friends. I've secretly wanted to be in her sorority but recently I've realized how Ive lived in her shadow my entire life (same sports, same clubs, same activities, same grades, same teachers) and Im definitely not sure about how I would feel if I stayed in her shadow when I get to college.
ALSO currently my cover photo is of my family and my sister is wearing her letters, is this bad for rush?
Thanks!!

Prediction: Anyone and everyone who comments on this post will tell you that all of the sororities at the University of Arizona are "cool", and you should keep an open mind to all of them.

Go through recruitment and see what YOU like. Being a legacy to 3 groups will definitely help you, but don't let that pressure you into joining one group over another. Meet the members of each chapter, get to know them, and aim for the one that you like after that. You will have to spend time with the members nearly every day, and you want to make sure you're comfortable with them. Getting along with your sisters is key

Good luck!

ComradesTrue · #3 05-25-2014, 07:06 AM

To ensure that the chapters don't wrongly assume that you will join your junior level sister's sorority:

1. I would change your cover photo. While it is probably harmless it is an easy change to make. You never know how one person may interpret the photo and you don't want to give any chapter an easy reason to release you.

2. I would have your rec writers include your statement about "recently I've realized how Ive lived in her shadow my entire life (same sports, same clubs, same activities, same grades, same teachers) and Im definitely not sure about how I would feel if I stayed in her shadow when I get to college." In other words, your rec writers need to make it crystal clear that all chapters are in play.

Those may possibly increase your chances with the other groups. As for you, do what ASTalumna06 said.

33girl · #4 05-25-2014, 10:01 AM

And by the same token...if you do go through rush and find that your sister's group really IS the place you like the best and feel the happiest in, don't rate them low or cut them just for the sake of making an independence statement.

CMDelta · #5 05-25-2014, 01:24 PM

I totally agree with 33girl's comments and while it seems most PNM's pledge their active sister's chapter, I always tell legacy PNM's that I meet with my story. I was a junior in college when my sister went through and she pledged something different which was right for her! We were at a school with deferred recruitment so that was a factor in that she had already made friends (who my sorority was not rushing) and she was not hanging out with girls we were rushing. As hard as it was at the time (for both of us), I'm glad she followed her heart! What ends up being more important is your pledge class because those are the sisters you will bond with the most. So look around at the girls going through with you even though you may have just met them. Your sister and her friends will be gone in 2 years.