In need of some calming words!

[Melissa_Smith]

I'm technically a senior and am going through rush this fall. I do have 2 years left in school, as I've changed my major, etc...My problem comes in that I rushed last year and was cut on the first day because of my grades. My grades have improved and I'm not quite so worreid about it this year. I know I will get cut from two sororities the first day, since to the best of my knowledge, first round cuts are GPA based.

Does anyone have any advice for me based on this info?? Basically what I'm looking for is how to approach the GPA issue, and how to approach my time left at school. Basically I want to make it clear that I am going to be around, not leaving in a year, although I have senior standing.

Also, any advice on how to calm down before I start rush?? I've been going back and forth between being happy (I have a good GPA now, etc) and being scared of being cut first day again. Also, someone told me that because I went through formal rush last year and got cut, that I look desperate going through formal rush again... I am of the opinion that it makes me seem more determined, as I'm going through rush again because it's something I REALLY REALLY want (and I do REALLY REALLY want it!)...

Sorry for the long first post! I do appreciate any answers and any help anyone can give!

Thanks,
Melissa

[smiley21]

are you going to school in KY? if so, you will definitely want to reinterate the fact that you will be there for 2 years. i think KY favors freshmen and sophmores. although i think they do take what is called 'free juniors and seniors' where it does not count against their quota. if you want more explantion, someone else can explain better. lots of people here at GC go to school in KY.


you wanted words of encouragement, so i will give them to you with honesty. no one can stop you from rushing, so you take the chance to put your best foot forward. there is a chance you could get cut from a lot of groups for being a senior, but don't lose heart. there is almost always at least one group that would love to take in a senior.

you do not look more desperate for going through rush a second year. the sisters will like that you are trying again. don't let that comment get you down. lots of luck to you. i am sure everyone here would love to see what happens. keep us posted and make sure to keep an open mind about the sororities!!!

[kddani]

I'm gonna be honest with you... you've got 2 major strikes against you. One is what year you are. Even though you may have 2 years left to offer an org, that still puts you as a junior status. At competitive rush schools, you will have a very hard time.

The other is your GPA. You say that it is improved, but yet you say you'll still get cut first day from 2 of the sororities. So it must still be close to borderline, which is understandable, you can't change your GPA that much in 2 semesters. But again, this is going to be a problem. Even though you may be above some of the groups' requirements, this is still not something going for you.

As smiley said, no one can stop you from rushing, but you should go in with realistic expectations. Some people on this board will encourage you to heights of unrealistic expectations, but i'm one of the ones that really wants people who come here for advice to really get advice,a nd not just blind encouragement.

You're a total stranger to all of us. You might have an awesome personality and other traits that could cause a sorority to overlook your status and grades.

Go through rush, be the best you can be, but know that you have some strikes against you, so make other aspects of you shine. Good luck, and i'll be returning your PM in a moment

[AOIIalum]

Melissa,

I'm going to (dangerously ) assume that you are going to school in the great Commonwealth of Kentucky. So, my comments are based on this assumption, and honestly, "It Depends."

It depends on where you're going to school.
It depends on what your GPA is now.
It depends on who you know and who knows you.
It depends on if you've gotten recs or not.
It depends on you having an open mind and considering all chapters available.
It depends on you

Now, to explain all of the "It Depends":

1. There's a big difference between recruitment, depending on the campus. Kentucky is much more of a SEC-style recruitment, and it could be much more difficult there vs. another school. As in most places, freshmen or freshmen and sophomores (with 3-4 years to be active) are more desirable New Members than juniors and seniors, regardless of the school.

2. More honesty--sorority chapters list the minimum gpa required to pledge, but reality is that many of these chapters are looking for higher gpa's than the minimum listed on a website or in a recruitment manual. If your gpa is just at the published minimum, it may be harder for you to get a bid. If you had one bad semester and have pulled a 3.0 or higher the rest of them, mention that when appropriate. Sometimes, this kind of info (especially if verifiable by your recs or current actives, etc) can help.

Now, if the minimum gpas listed are 2.2-2.6 except for 2 groups and your gpa is a 2.65, you are going to have a harder time surviving gpa cuts. The harsh reality is that most of the 2.2-2.6 chapters are looking for maybe a 2.9-3.5+ in their new members.

3. Yes, this is the hard reality of the situation. It can be a good thing, but it can be a negative. Sororities do look for people who are active on campus, so if this applies to you it could help you.

4. Recs never hurt and at some schools/chapters, they make the difference in your cuts and your pledging chances. Do you have them in already? There are plenty of alumnae chapters for the majority of the sororities at Kentucky schools all over the state. If you need help obtaining recs, please PM me and I will point you in the right direction. (NOTE: Recruitment starts this week at multiple schools in KY, so time is of the essence.)

5. There is a great debate on GC concerning whether to say "Keep an open mind" or "if you know where you will or won't fit in, listen and trust yourself". Reality is, if you have your heart set on the chapter that consistently fills quota with freshmen every year, you will probably be disappointed. Please, be willing to accept all invitations extended to you and make the choices right for you.

6. My normal recruitment advice goes here: be yourself but the best yourself possible! Clean and neat appearance, tasteful accessories, smile and have fun. GOOD LUCK!

[Melissa_Smith]

Guess I should clear up a few things that I didn't when I wrote my original post! I don't go to UK, I go to EKU, which is not SEC. It is OVC if this helps anyone to know how they usually do rush. Also, The minimum GPA for most of the sororites on campus is a 2.5, however, there are 2 with a higher standard, with a 2.7 and a 2.8. My GPA is higher than the 2.5 requirement, and I was told that on the first day of cuts, the base requiement is what is used to cut, however, I could have been told wrong! If this changes any advice, let me know

Thanks,

Melissa

[TSteven]

ThetaPrincess24 attends (attended?) EKU and might be able to help. Best to PM her.

I have family and friends that attended Eastern as well and were Greek there. Yes, yes I know, they are STILL Greek, but what I mean is that their undergrad chapters were at EKU.

I'll see what I can find out but in the meantime, follow the advice already given. And start now!

Best of luck.

[TSteven]

FYI: Rush at Eastern Kentucky is August 20-25.

[adpiucf]

Melissa,

I don't know about your school's Greek culture, but the best advice I can give you is to just be yourself.

Per your questions above, find a way to work into the conversation that you have 2 years left in school, and that your GPA is on its way up (IE: My goal is to have a 3.0 this semester! Tell me about your sorority's academic program...). Practice little soundbytes to make this seem natural.

Look your personal best, listen attentively and ask good questions, be prepared with anecdotes about yourself and as honeychile alluded in an earlier post-- you have to look at finding a sorority as finding a pair of pants that fit you. Someone else might look great in a certain style of jeans, but you need to find the pair that makes you look the best!

I do advise you to keep all your options open during recruitment, and to contact the office of Greek Life at your school to ask any questions about sorority life there, as well as recruitment, etc. The recruitment counselors are trained to help you, even before recruitment begins, and can help put some fears to rest, while also helping pump you up for a fun week of meeting people!

Also remember, your campus offers a ton of wonderful organizations outside of Greek Life, where you will make lifelong friends, share great experiences and develop great leadership and networking skills. Get involved!

[AOIIalum]

I believe Eastern does lean toward a more southern formal recruitment style. For Greek system GPA info, they've got semester grade reports at http://www.studentlife.eku.edu/GreekAffairs

[Rollergirl2001]

Melissa, I'm in the same situation as you are, but I attend a non SEC school in Tennessee and I have a year and a half left. I'm afraid that I'm not going to get a bid just because I'm a senior. Melissa, think positive but keep in mind that at least 1-4 (maybe more) houses will cut you. If you didn't get in, work on your grades, and try Spring semester recruitment or next year's fall rush. You might participate in COB.

[Speechpath]

I agree with the above posts, you must go into rush with an open mind but your eyes open to the fact that you may be cut from several groups just for being older and just for GPA purposes.

However, does that mean you have nothing to offer a group? of course not! and hopefully there may just be a group that would like to get some older girls.

Realistically, freshman are the ones that will make up most of the pledge class but sometimes chapters who may be a bit lower on numbers or are aniticipating a large senior class graduating can "pick up" juniors & seniors without it counting towards quota so that might help you. I don't know if you have any on our campus, but often newer groups like to have a variety of ages. Also, if you have friends in any of the groups that know you and know your situation they may be able to help 'sell' you a bit more to their chapter. Also, as someone mentioned, being active on campus with other activities that may lower the focus on your age or GPA.

Anyway, I hope rush is a positive experience for you!

[ThetaPrincess24]

Originally posted by TSteven
ThetaPrincess24 attends (attended?) EKU and might be able to help. Best to PM her.

I have family and friends that attended Eastern as well and were Greek there. Yes, yes I know, they are STILL Greek, but what I mean is that their undergrad chapters were at EKU.

I'll see what I can find out but in the meantime, follow the advice already given. And start now!

Best of luck.

Yes I did go to EKu for undergrad and am back there now for a second degree. I'm one of the advisors for my chapter. I cant tell you a lot, but what i can tell you is very important. Be lookign for a PM from me soon Melissa.