Rush advice

[Dreamerchick]

I know I NEED to keep an open mind about rush and I keep telling myself that...but I've been debating about a couple of sororities at my school since that i've been chillin' with the greek system for awhile. My best friend is in ABC and she soo badly wants me to be in her sorority, so does some of her sisters, but I'm not too sure about that.
LATELY though, I've met and talked with some girls from other sororities including XYZ sorority, which I feel I want to be in or fit into. I get along with a lot of the girls from XYZ... and I can tell that few of them are trying to rush me (there are also some from XYZ that tell me to keep an open mind). Do you think I SOMEWHAT have an advantage or "inside" compared to some of the other girls in the fall that are new to the greek system??

[This message has been edited by Dreamerchick (edited August 03, 2001).]

[SSS1365]

Obviously, if you're friends with members of sororities, you're going to have an advantage with those sororities over people who don't know anyone. Since the girls already know you and seem to want you, the truth is, they're more likely to pick you over someone they haven't met until rush. Don't worry about it though, there are always going to be girls rushing that are good friends with girls already in the greek system.

[twinstars]

whether or not you have an advantage depends a ton on which school you go to. it sounds like you're going to be rushing as a sophomore (or older)?

at my college, where 95%+ of the rushees are freshmen, it is nearly impossible for an upperclassman to get a bid EVEN IF she is friends with girls in a house and they pull for her. there is a huge premium on being a freshman and a first-time rushee. if the houses you're rushing usually don't have a problem meeting quota, they may be reluctant to take an older pledge if only for financial reasons (they can take you, who will only be active for 3 or less years, or a freshman who will be paying dues for 4 full years. this is an important trade-off for a group that usually meets quota... they can't "have it both ways" because choosing an older girl means there is one less space for a freshman).

i hear it is a lot different at other schools where the rushees are a mix of classes. being older may not be a problem at all.

again, it will really depend on your college. ask your friends in sororities how many non-freshmen rushed last year, and how many actually got bids.

of course, knowing sisters helps a rushee no matter her age, but remember, less is expected of a freshman since she has had less time on campus to get to know people. it looks really bad if an older girl is rushing and she knows nobody since she's had plenty of time to meet people. there is not the same expectation on someone who's only been at school for a few months or less.

[LeslieEMU]

At my school, sophomores are not looked at much differently (juniors & seniors may be a differnt story). Personally, I'd rather bid a girl who my sisters know and like than a freshman going through Fall Formal Recruitment and here is why...We had way too many girls come in straight out of high school with their stereotypical notions of college and greek life who just wanted to party and didn't attend events.

At my school, most people are on (at least) a five year plan because our campus is known for its education, business, TP/nursing, and design majors which are longer than at most colleges, so most girls will be around for 4 year regardless of whether they are freshman or sophomores. So, when girls rush as sophmore, they've had a chance to get to know college and greek life and they also know how to balance their schedules and how to plan their classes. Sophomores also often realize that they've missed out on one year already and become more active.

But, back to the orginial question...I was friends with a few girls in XYZ sorority and they were the ones that convinced me to rush. At first, I had it in my head that I was going to go through recruiment just to meet people but that I would ultimely end up in XYZ. Well, along the way, I felt so comfortable and happy with my now-sorority. My point is, you never know what's going to happen once you start recruitment. I think that knowing sisters will probably give you an advantage but don't assume that it will. Treat all the sororities with the same amount of respect because they could become your sisters. Don't feel that you have to join ABC just because it is your friends' house...if they are your true friends, they will still be there no matter which sorority you call home.