Is it worth trying?

[hottytoddychick]

I'm a junior and want to rush. I didn't do it my freshman year because my parents wouldn't pay for it and I missed it last year because I was off campus. I know I've decided late, and today the cost to rush goes up to $90.

I've talked to a few people, and some of the sororities here don't accept more than a couple of sophomores and definitely no juniors, but some will accept juniors. I've seen a bunch of people on here, and just wanted some more opinions on whether or not I stand a chance.


Thanks!

HTC

[Fleur de Lis]

I'm not familiar with Ole Miss, but I think you need to ask yourself some questions before you decide to go through recruitment.

Why do you want to be in a sorority? You need to be able to answer this clearly if you're going to convince chapter members to invite you back. They need to know why you haven't gone through before, and "I was off campus" or "my parents wouldn't pay for it" probably won't impress them.

Are you ready for the financial commitment? My guess is that Ole Miss dues are not cheap.

Have you been involved on campus and know a lot of people? Do you know sorority members that will pull for you?

Are your grades well above the sorority average? Bad GPA=Automatic Cut

Do you have sorority alumnae on your speed dial that will write you recommendations asap? Do you have transcripts/resumes/pictures ready to send to the chapter? These are listed as requirements for membership on several chapter sites.

I say it never hurts to go through if your goal is to meet people and possibly find a home. If your anwer to the last four questions are "yes" then you may have a good shot. Good luck!

[hottytoddychick]

Originally Posted by Fleur de Lis

Why do you want to be in a sorority? For two years, I haven't really known anyone, and I haven't really been involved in anything. I want to change that. I want to get to know more people, especially girls!

Are you ready for the financial commitment? I talked to my parents, and if I cannot get a job on campus to pay for it, then I am going to take out a loan.

Have you been involved on campus and know a lot of people? question one

Are your grades well above the sorority average? I have a pretty good GPA, over a 3.0

Do you have sorority alumnae on your speed dial that will write you recommendations asap? My boyfriend's mom, grandma, and sister are all in the same sorority. I know a few people who graduated in the past couple years, and have friends that know people who just graduated.

I say it never hurts to go through if your goal is to meet people and possibly find a home. If your anwer to the last four questions are "yes" then you may have a good shot. Good luck!

Thanks! I'm just really nervous. I'm willing to spend the money if I stand a chance, and if I don't get anything because the sororities don't like me, not because of my year, then I'm okay with it, and I'll be glad that I at least got the experience, but if there's no way I could anything then I don't think I can justify spending the money.

My roommate, who is not greek but knows a TON of people, is helping me network, so hopefully that will help.

And the other thing is, no one in my family is greek. I have no idea how any of this works, and I won't be able to have my friends that are in sororities help me the whole time.

[PenguinTrax]

Ole Miss = Recs are a must-have, get your family and friends on that job NOW.

[hottytoddychick]

I am. It's not so easy though. No one in my family is greek, so I'm calling everyone I know trying to find as many different sororities as I can through their relatives.

Is is true that I can't get past water parties without my recs? And is more better? Or should I try to get "personal recs"?

[emerald mermaid]

I'm not too familiar with the way Ole Miss recruitment works, but saying something like "I haven't really met anybody" or "I haven't been involved with anyone" may not be the best idea. Your fellow PNM's are mostly going to be coming from places where they were extremely involved, and the majority will be younger than you, so perhaps that is not the best excuse.

Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but I have heard that the invite lists for the 2nd parties are already made up before the first parties. The first cuts are going to be mostly for GPA and Recs. At some schools, if you're rushing as an upperclassman, the GPA may be a little higher.

I really wish you the best of luck though! I hope everything works out for you. Please post your rush story if you decide to go through with it!

[UGAalum94]

I don't have any particular insight about Ole Miss, but I will say this: the recruitment registration fee is just the tip of the iceberg financially. If you have any reservations about paying $ 80.00 to register, you really need to figure out how you are going to feel about the $370 dollars per MONTH that the Ole Miss Greek life office suggests (http://www.olemiss.edu/greeks/PHC/financial.htm) average is typical for dues.

It's kind of shame that Greek Life costs this much, but it does.

[FuzzieAlum]

The lists for the second parties really can't be made before the first parties. While I don't know how any other sorority except my own makes membership decisions, I'll just say that would very much violate our rules. That doesn't mean, of course, that sororities don't have a pretty darn good idea of whom they would like to see on that list.

[aopirose]

You might get in and you might not but at least you won’t have to wonder “what if.” If you do decide to go through, keep an open mind and keep trying to find recs.

[hottytoddychick]

I registered this morning. Now I'm scrambling to find people who can do recs for me. I'm excited! Water parties are tomorrow, and I have no clue what to wear! Someone said jeans and a tee-shirt? Any one know for sure? And I will definitely post my rush story.

[cuteASAbug]

I really don't want to be negative or rain on your parade but I have to say that if recruitment starts tomorrow, good luck getting recs today. The sororities have been receiving recs (probably) all summer and even if you can get recs today, the sororities will see that you waited until the last minute to get them in.

[hottytoddychick]

Water parties are tomorrow, but formal recruitment isn't until Sept. 23. I know that impressions will still be made before then, but surely I can't be the last person to register. It's open until Sept. 14.

[cuteASAbug]

They stretch recruitment out for a month? How does that work? What are water parties? Good luck!

[hottytoddychick]

From what I understand it's kind of just a "test the waters" type thing. No decorations, nothing fancy, just water and girls. I'm still learning, though, so anybody feel free to correct me!

[Bamarox]

My guess is that rush as a junior is pretty tough.