Rushing as a sophomore at the University of Michigan!

soph123 · #1 05-04-2015, 10:12 PM

I just finished my freshman year at the University of Michigan, and have regretted not rushing since the beginning. No one in my family had ever been apart of greek life previously, so it wasn't something I had even considered. I truly had no knowledge of it other than the dumb stereotypes I had seen in movies so I naively assumed that greek life "wasn't for me". However, I realized pretty quickly that I was missing on something that could be an amazing experience for me!

At Michigan I am in one of the smaller schools that's located on North Campus, and it's only 600 kids. I have had the opportunity to meet a lot of amazing girls in sororities, and am excited at the opportunity to meet more girls like them and to meet communities outside of my small school!

Going into rush I really don't have any idea where I'd fit--I don't feel I know enough about any sorority to make that judgement. I also know that I have a tougher road ahead of me being a sophomore during rush. I truly just want to find a group of girls that I love as much as they love me where I can find lifelong friends and receive love, support, and laughter.

I guess saying all that, do you guys have any advice on rushing as a sophomore? Do you have anything you wish you'd have done differently that you'd love to let an eager sophomore know? Is there anything you'd encourage me to do or not to do?

Also, how do you recommend I deal with question of why I didn't rush as a freshman? I of course don't want to lie, but I also don't want to paint myself in any bad light. I really just want to emphasize my enthusiasm for greek life now, and how it was just something so foreign to me (especially because I also went to an arts high school of under 200 kids--no one even thought about greek life there, either!).

Thanks!!!!!!!

Sciencewoman · #2 05-04-2015, 11:03 PM

I initiated at Michigan. I don't think being a sophomore will be a major strike against you, but your freshman year grades will definitely be important. I would also advise having alumnae members submit recommendation forms for their sororities, for as many sororities as you can manage. It's good that you've met current sorority members. I would advise being open to any and all sororities. There are definite tiers at Michigan...some groups will be very difficult to receive a bid from without strong connections. Others are much more open. I'm sure you've realized that there are many students whose parents, grandparents, etc. went there and their kids carry on the tradition...and students tend to respect and appreciate that. It was the only school I applied to -- both my parents went there, and my daughter was also accepted, although she chose to go elsewhere. The Greek system tends to attract these multi-generational students, so legacy status can be important with some chapters.

Good luck! Being Greek is a lot of fun at Michigan and I really enjoyed it. I lived on North Campus my freshman year and getting to sorority events could be a pain with the bus system, but sisters tended to very open to giving rides.

Go Blue!

soph123 · #3 05-05-2015, 12:02 AM

I have PNM recs being written for me from the inside from my friends, as well as recommendations from alumni. I also have a 3.6 GPA so I don't think that will be an issue! Though I know Michigan doesn't strongly value recs, I know they do help in the first round. I'm also not too worried about my lack of legacy--I have a friend who was a 3x Michigan Tri-delt legacy and was cut from Tridelt and ended up in Phi because the girls in Tri Delt just knew it would be a better match. Crossing my fingers that it works out in my favor!

Sciencewoman · #4 05-05-2015, 08:42 AM

It sounds like you've focused on scholarship and cultivated friendships with sorority members, which is great! As far as recs go, I would definitely focus on getting them from alumnae, especially alumnae who really know you. With your sorority friends, share that you're going through recruitment, but don't ask current members for a rec -- most sororities have a national policy that current collegians cannot write recs for PNMs going through recruitment at their own chapter. Some sororities don't allow collegians to write recs at all, even for another school. They can advocate for you during recruitment, but they can't write an official recommendation for you using the sorority's official form. The point of a rec is that another sorority member (eg. alumna friend of the family) is recommending you to the current members of that chapter...a member from outside the current membership is vouching for you. A lot of the information on the official forms tends to be more business-like (grades, financial ability to pay, activities, personal character, etc.). If your friends just joined this year, they won't have gone through recruitment yet "on the other side," so they may not be aware of all the policies and procedures.

As far as the Tri Delt anecdote, any sorority can cut someone, even legacies, but they have no influence or communication with other groups regarding membership selection. Each group operates independently, making decisions for their own chapter only. Such stories can make their way around, as a way for people to diminish the hurt that happens when they're released from a favorite group or legacy group. Take such stories with a heavy grain of salt.

jolene · #5 05-05-2015, 10:39 AM

Make sure you post your recruitment story this fall.

Best of luck to you.

pinksequins · #6 05-05-2015, 11:39 AM

But please do not post your story the same day. Posting once recruitment concludes helps to ensure that nothing is misconstrued so as to jeopardize your opportunities. You may wish to type up and save as each day unfolds; saving allows you the double benefit of editing a piece later when read with fresh eyes and to post days later without struggling to recall events. Discretion on social media and public forums is important as I am sure you know. You seem to have prepared well. Good luck!

naraht · #7 05-05-2015, 05:05 PM

I'd like to say that you're considerably better informed than a lot of those asking questions here. You seem to have your head on straight.

BlueCarnation · #8 05-05-2015, 06:55 PM

Another UM grad here--and agree with what Sciencewoman said (and so glad her chapter is back!!

). My pledge class was probably half sophomores. Granted, that was a while ago, but my understanding is that MOST sororities are still open to sophomores.

Please, please, please go in with an open mind. Yes, you may know girls in certain houses, but you will be joining an organization of over 100 women and will be spending time with all of them. All the sororities at Michigan are fantastic in their own way. Don't worry about what fraternities they pre-party with or the "tiers" or whatever. Your sorority experience is what you make of it.

As for explaining why you didn't rush Freshman year, I think it's pretty common, but I think you can explain that you were getting used to school and your small program and you wanted to get used to college life.

You sound really enthusiastic and like you want to join for the right reasons. Just be yourself and it should work out.

Good luck! Joining a sorority at UM was the best decision of my life. I hope you are lucky enough to experience that as well. (And yes, let us know how it turns out!).

jolene · #9 05-05-2015, 08:02 PM

I was a transfer and went through informal. Though my school is large student-body wise, the Greek system wasn't that big so pledging wasn't very hard. However, even at bigger schools like UM, I'm surprised more sororities don't seek out sophomores with excellent grades. Most college kids need time to adjust to a big life change like going to college (especially a big one like Michigan) and a soph with a proven academic record and desire to be involved seems like a big advantage rather than a wide-eyed scared freshman who may not realize what she's getting involved in.

33girl · #10 05-06-2015, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jolene

I was a transfer and went through informal. Though my school is large student-body wise, the Greek system wasn't that big so pledging wasn't very hard. However, even at bigger schools like UM, I'm surprised more sororities don't seek out sophomores with excellent grades. Most college kids need time to adjust to a big life change like going to college (especially a big one like Michigan) and a soph with a proven academic record and desire to be involved seems like a big advantage rather than a wide-eyed scared freshman who may not realize what she's getting involved in.

And that is why calling it "recruitment" is a huge misnomer...but that's another thread.

soph123 · #11 05-06-2015, 05:34 PM

I've been lucky enough to be able to talk to a few girls who rushed at Michigan as sophomores, and they've really calmed my nerves. I've heard from a few girls that are currently freshman in sororities that it is so much harder to rush as a sophomore and my anxiety was through the roof. However, the girls that I've talked to who actually rushed as sophomores didn't think so at all! One girl actually thought she had an advantage because she could list the philanthropic events she went to from that particular sorority the year before, and have more meaningful conversations based on what she participated in last year such as clubs and classes, rather than the usual "what dorm are you in?", "how are you adjusting?" and "what are you thinking of majoring in?". Of course those questions are important too but she did think it set her apart!

I'm definitely going into this with an open mind. Like I said before, I don't believe I know enough about any chapter to know where I'd belong just yet! All I know is I'd be happy as a clam to be in one at all

Thanks for all the advice! I appreciate it, and I'd appreciate any more advice anyone has as well!!!!

BlueCarnation · #12 05-07-2015, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soph123

I've been lucky enough to be able to talk to a few girls who rushed at Michigan as sophomores, and they've really calmed my nerves. I've heard from a few girls that are currently freshman in sororities that it is so much harder to rush as a sophomore and my anxiety was through the roof. However, the girls that I've talked to who actually rushed as sophomores didn't think so at all! One girl actually thought she had an advantage because she could list the philanthropic events she went to from that particular sorority the year before, and have more meaningful conversations based on what she participated in last year such as clubs and classes, rather than the usual "what dorm are you in?", "how are you adjusting?" and "what are you thinking of majoring in?". Of course those questions are important too but she did think it set her apart!

I'm definitely going into this with an open mind. Like I said before, I don't believe I know enough about any chapter to know where I'd belong just yet! All I know is I'd be happy as a clam to be in one at all

Thanks for all the advice! I appreciate it, and I'd appreciate any more advice anyone has as well!!!!

Girls who joined as freshman really would really not be in too much of a position to know if it's harder to rush as a sophomore. They haven't been on the other side of it yet. They've heard stories that are probably really embellished, but they don't know. And if they know anything about membership selection, they can't tell you anyway.

You can ask for all the advice you want from us, people you know, etc., but it's just going to come down to you being you.

I actually might be concerned if a PNM knew *everything* about all of my chapter's philanthropies/parties/information, etc when I talked to her during the first round. I know that I came off as desperate in my legacy house because I acted like I knew everything about it. "Oh, my grandmother and all her sisters were in this sorority, and she met my grandpa at X fraternity, who I know you guys party with, and there are 2 girls from my high school here in this chapter, and I know your flower is blah..." OMG I still cringe thinking about it.

Of course they knew I was a legacy and all that other information! Needless to say, I was cut.

So, yes, you do want to stand out, but just be yourself and be natural and you will be fine!!! Seriously. Have fun and Go Blue!