Worries

[RushingSpring2001]

I am going to to be participating in Formal Spring Rush at a New York Ivy and I am very concerned about my first semsester GPA of a 2.3 I had a very rough time especially since I was 3,000 miles from home and my mother was having some health issues. I am worried that my GPA will hurt or ruin my chances of recieving bids. If someone could please let me know what they have encountered in the past in regards to rushees with low GPA's I would really appreciate it. Even though I have only been there for one semester I have also joined several other organizations on campus and I consider myself to be well rounded (with the exception of this GPA )

I know I can't speak for other sororities, but my sorority requires that each prospective new member have at least a 2.0 GPA at initiation according to IHQ. After she is initiated she must remain in good standing with her chapter--and each chapter sets their own standards for GPA. When going through the selection process we do look at their GPA, but we also look at her other achievements. If you have any concerns, try talking to your rho chi about it.

[twinstars]

what is your school's minimum GPA required for a girl to be eligible for rush?

i think it's 2.0 in a lot of places. if a girl's average falls below that, she can't even attend rush parties.

all of the sororities at my college have a slightly higher than the minimum (2.0) "recommended" GPA for rushees, such as 2.25 or 2.33. i think once we have established that a rushee meets that guideline, GPA is no longer an issue. of course, we reward especially high GPA's, as we do exceptional involvement, but as long as she meets the minimum standard, we will keep or cut her based factors other than GPA, such as personality and compatability with the group. i think you'll be fine in rush.

another thing to worry about, though... once you're pledging, you'd better keep your GPA at or above a 2.5. i think i get in trouble with my house if it falls below that, as an active member. they are more forgiving during rush, since we realize that the freshmen are just getting adjusted.




[This message has been edited by twinstars (edited January 06, 2001).]

[Amy2023]

hey! Do you go to Cornell or Columbia? =) I go to Cornell, so if that's the New york Ivy you're talking about, maybe I can answer any questions you have...although I'd have to look into the GPA issue.

[Anchor8]

It will depend on the group, but one of my pledge sisters was in your situation. She was so well liked that she received a bid anyway, and was able to pledge while bringing her GPA up. It would definitely be best to rush no matter what, just so that you can get your foot in the door and start to get to know the girls. I don't know what the minimum GPA requirements are for the groups your interested in, but they probably aren't far from your 2.3. Good Luck!

[angel_kak]

It does depend on the group, but I know our school only has 2.0 minimum average to join a sorority through the Panhellenic Council...but you can check to see what other sororities might have as their minimum requirement for GPA. As a former Recruitment Counselor, Rho Chi, I would say ask them. We have a great deal of training and know the answers to a lot of these questions, or she will get it for you! I would still go and check out the sororities even if you don't plan on joining. It is a great experience, and I wouldn't want to miss out on it. Best of luck finding the sorority that is right for you. Remember join the sorority in which you already belong, and not the sorority that you hope you belong, or want to belong. You'll feel more comfortable...Best of luck with everything!!!

Kirsten

[RushingSpring2001]

Hey Amy2023, I attend Cornell. If you happen to know what the GPA req. is that would be wonderful!! Although I am still concerned as to how I will be perceived by each house becasue of my low GPA. Is the rush at Cornell as formal as it seems to be at some of the southern schools? Thanks for your help!!

[Amy2023]

I really don't know for sure about the GPA requirement...this is my first year going through rush from the other side. I know that when I rushed nobody ever asked me about it though. Anyhow, rush at Cornell is much different from what it seems to be in the south. Rush (or formal member recruitment as we are now supposed to call it) is done "no frills" here. Each round gets more formal though, with preference round being kind of like cocktail party attire. The first day is really long, and cold, and I know I just wanted to drop out at the end of the day..but then it's not so bad, and it will be worth it in the end. Another little note: When I rushed, my boyfriend at the time and his frat brothers told me all sorts of things about sororities and their reputations and stuff...which kind of influenced what I thought about each one, so try not to pay attention to what you've heard (and I'm sure you've heard quite a bit) and just see which one seems like a place where you belong.

[Amy2023]

I really don't know for sure about the GPA requirement...this is my first year going through rush from the other side. I know that when I rushed nobody ever asked me about it though. Anyhow, rush at Cornell is much different from what it seems to be in the south. Rush (or formal member recruitment as we are now supposed to call it) is done "no frills" here. Each round gets more formal though, with preference round being kind of like cocktail party attire. The first day is really long, and cold, and I know I just wanted to drop out at the end of the day..but then it's not so bad, and it will be worth it in the end. Another little note: When I rushed, my boyfriend at the time and his frat brothers told me all sorts of things about sororities and their reputations and stuff...which kind of influenced what I thought about each one, so try not to pay attention to what you've heard (and I'm sure you've heard quite a bit) and just see which one seems like a place where you belong.

[RushingSpring2001]

Amy2023, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! I haven't been too sure what they meant by "dress will become more formal as the week progresses" You have eased some of my fears and I am now even more excited. If there is any other helpful things that you would like to pass on I would greatly appreciate it. Once again thank you so much!

[Amy2023]

Hey! well, I don't know if there is anything specific you want to know or how much you already know about it, but I can tell you some more about the process...The first day is long from about 8 or 9 to 6 or 7 at night and you go to each house for about half an hour and talk to 4 or 5 girls in the house. It's pretty informal, most people just wear jeans. You go around with your Rho Chi group which I think is somewhere around 30 other girls and a leader who is from one of the 13 sororities(but you're not allowed to know which one until after rush). The next morning you get up early and find out your schedule for the next two days. If you've been invited back to more than 10, you pick the 10 you go back to. If you've been invited back to 10 or fewer you go back to all of those houses. You're on your own and have your own schedule. You go to five on the second day and 5 the next day. The second round is a little more formal, usually khakis or black or gray pants. You stay a little bit longer at each house and also go on a house tour. The 3rd round is when you watch skits that the sisters perform and also meet some more girls. This round is a tiny bit fancier, maybe a skirt or black pants. You go back to 6 (I think) houses this time. And finally, the last round is pref round...you go back to 3 and only talk to one sister the whole time. This round is pretty formal. After that you rank those 3 sororities. I'm sure you'll hear all of this at the meeting before rush starts, but I know I was anxious ahead of time. Some things to keep in mind when you're at the houses: don't talk about other sororities, don't ask the sisters if some reputation about their house is true, act interested in the house--ask about philanthropy, social events, alumni involvement,etc, remember that sororities are big--over 100 girls, so don't write off a house just because you meet one girl that you don't click with, ask the sisters why they joined that certain house, be enthusiastic about being there--but don't be fake, get to know the girls in your Rho Chi group the first day--some of them could end up being your best friends, resist the urge to "talk trash" about certain sororities while with your Rho Chi group--one of them is your Rho Chi's and also other people in your group may feel differently and you don't want to hurt their feelings, dress really warmly--the first day sometimes you have to wait outside for 15 minutes and it gets really cold!.....I know some of these things seem really obvious, but I know I was curious and would have liked some advice. =) Best of luck to you! And if I can think of anything else I will post it. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

[coffeemug]

Hi!! I just wanted to say that I am friends with the greek advisor at Cornell so I sent her an email to find out about grades. My guess is that some sororities will release for grades --especially the ones that can invite less people back to 10 party round. However there are 13 great groups at Cornell and I am sure you will find a place were you fit in.

Other "tips" for Cornell rush --buy those hand warmer things (ski shops should have them)and dress really warm. Especially for 2nd and 3rd round were you are kind of on your own and can end up walking from one campus to another in between two parties.

Don't feel like you have to drink a beverage at every chapter you visit...they know every sorority serves a drink and realize you aren't a camel!!

Be yourself and you will find the right place for you!! Good luck and keep us posted which chapters you like, keep going back to etc!!

[RushingSpring2001]

Thank you so much Amy2023 and coffeemug!!! Those posts were very helpful and the closer rush is the more excited I am getting. Amy2023, thank you for clarifying the dress code and coffeemug thanks for the tips on the handwarmers and e-mailing the greek advisor regarding my question about grades. I look forward to reading the posts in this column. (I think I might be coming addicted to greekchat.com )

Rushing, join the club. I think the majority of us on GreekChat are addicts! Good luck to you!


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*I'm an Alpha Gam...Yes I am, Yes I am!*

[RushingSpring2001]

Well, I went to the first orientation meeting tonight for rush or formal sorority recruitment as it is called. I am pretty excited about it although it sounds like tomorrow witll be a long day, 13 houses in one day! I will be sure to post my thoughts on the board.