A Very Sticky Situation

[Naddy08]

Nevermind about this thread...
Thanks a lot for the advice that I have gotten. I have taken your advice to heart and hope to stand out due to my personality.

[cuteASAbug]

Welcome to greekchat. Since I never rushed at Mizzou, I can't say how necessary recs are, but my understanding from reading threads on here is that they are important and your chances may be limited without them. With that being said, I don't think that any one here would be willing to write a recommendation to an anonymous poster on an internet board. Your best bet is to contact your local alumnae panhellenic or to see if any family friends are sorority alumnae.

[adpiucf]

Email PHArecruitment@missouri.edu

I would not recommend sending this project and letter to the sororities.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it is my understanding that PNM's can't take anything into a sorority recruitment event. You should check with your campus Panhellenic.

If recs are not the norm on your campus, don't worry. But I think that if a lot of women are coming through, that recs would be enormously helpful to you.

Personalized cover letters and personal projects are not things that are helpful in the sorority recruitment process. Your recruitment application, grades and alumnae recommendations are the helpful items "on paper" before the sororities get to meet you.
Once you are at a recruitment event, it is up to you and your personality to shine. I think it would be a great idea to talk about the project you are working on at recruitment events, but the sororities will not have time to look over your project.

Also, you have the opportunity to express your interest in person, so your letter of interest is not necessary.

You are correct to assume that sorority recruitment is an interview, but here your application is your "cover letter and resume." And, you have indicated your interest in their organization by coming to their recruitment event and expressing interest to the members.

I think you're better off getting the recs and not submitting your project to the sororities.

Best of luck! For advice about recruitment, check out the hyperlink in my signature.

[InHerShoes]

I'm going to come out of lurking for this one.

Please do NOT bring that project with you. There are better ways to make sure that you are remembered by the sororities.

Standing out because you have a stellar personality and were a great conversationalist? Wonderful.

Standing out because you were 'that girl' who handed out a packet about herself to every house? Not so much.

If you are worried about being remembered, think ahead of time about some talking points that you can use. Did you do something really unique this summer? Do you have any interests or talents that might set you apart from the other PNMs?

It's great that you want to "stand out," but YOU should be what they remember, not your cover letter.

[Zillini]

Yeah, skip the project. Most campuses Panhellenic Rules forbid PNMs from bringing anything into the houses (or taking anything out). They even need to leave their purses, backpacks, etc outside with a Rho Chi.

If your campus doesn't have this rule, it could still be seen as odd. Your personality is what should sell you, not props or projects. If you have some sort of special talent then that's part of what Recs are for -- to give chapters additional info above and beyond what's on the Panhellenic application. That's also how they get your resume, not by you handing it directly to the actives during a party.