Rushing as A Sophomore and GPAs...

[GatorGirl19]

Hey everyone!
I'm new to this forum and many of my recruitment questions have been answered but the specifics, naturally, aren't >.< I'm currently a freshman and I'm planning on rushing next fall. I didn't rush this fall because I figured it would be a lot for me to take in at once, being away on my own at school and from what i hear, sororities are time consuming. I'm actually glad I waited, even though I hear it puts me at a slight disadvantage.

I'm mostly concerned about my GPA not being high enough compared to other upperclassmen. It will probably be about 3.1-3.2 which isn't too bad but I constantly kick my own butt because my GPA in high school as about 3.6. I participated in a community service club this year, but that's as far as my college involvement has gone. Mostly, I want to know how much sororities take into consideration your high school resume because I did a lot during high school and I feel like I'm getting a slow start here in college. The main reason I want to join a sorority is to become more involved! ^_^

I'm also a legacy because my sister was in a sorority in her university, but I know not to rush for any one sorority. I'm really open minded to all the sororities here on campus and I've been asking around a lot about general greek stuff here at uf. I'm open to any advice, and constructive criticism and such!!

Thank you!! ^_^

[kiteflyersmom]

Hi Gatorgirl,

UF has a minimum GPA to rush, and I would think you are fine there. Did you check? Also, some sororities at UF will put more weight on GPA than others, once we get beyond talking about the university's minimum GPA to rush.

Being a fellow Floridian that is not that far from UF, that is what I can tell you with any type of certainty. I defer to others who may be able to fill you in on how to put your point (about being very involved in H.S., and taking freshman year as an adjustment period) across effectively during rush.

[AOII Angel]

Make sure your sister turns in any required forms to claim you as her legacy. AOII has a form, but I don't know if KD does. Can any KDs help?

[jwright25]

Assuming from your screen name that you are at Florida. That's a very competitive recruitment, and yes, being a sophomore will put you at a disadvantage. No one can say for sure how the sororities weigh high school activities vs. college activities. Each one probably does it very differently. I am NOT NOT NOT at UF, but if I were, I would want a sophomore to bring a lot to the table to make her just as much as or more desirable than freshmen. That means a super-competitive GPA and a killer resume.

I'm not saying that it's impossible, but realistically, you are at some disadvantages. Probably more than "slight." Good recommendation letters for each sorority are a must. If you get them from people who know you well, that will help.

[adpiucf]

Yay! A Gator! Greek or no Greek, you're at one of the happiest places on earth for undergrads

My thoughts on your situation (take these with a grain of salt!): Your GPA isn't that great for sorority purposes, and that will account for early cuts. So will being a sophomore with some of the chapters. Not all of the chapters will have super high GPA req's and year in school rules, but most will. You have a good attitude about keeping an open mind, so just expect these cuts coming in and keep going!


You certainly have a shot at being offered a bid through formal recruitment! Just know your options are fewer than a freshman with a high high school GPA. DO list your HS GPA and activities on your recruitment application and to your recommenders.

Make sure you have recommendations for all the sororities. Being a legacy at UF doesn't stand for much b/c so many legacies go through recruitment each year, so continue to keep that open mind!

These thoughts aren't meant to dissuade you from rushing-- just know to expect fewer options than someone else with a higher GPA and who is a freshman. I wish you the best of luck!

[lawgal]

Realistically, at Florida, you will have a real problem with grades. Although you meet the minimum cut off to go through recruitment, your GPA is below every NPC sorority's average GPA at Florida. See the following link. http://www.greeks.ufl.edu/resources/...radeReport.pdf
You need to really work on your people skills and your sparkling personality, or you may be headed for disappointment. Your best bet outside of that is to make friends with some of the girls and get them pulling for you.

[GatorGirl19]

Wow, those are all really helpful tips. Yeah, I constantly kick my own butt about my GPA and it's something that I definitely am working on. I never had to actually build a GPA in high school, I just had to keep it up. That was a big college kick in the face for me ^_^

As far as recommendations go, I keep reading here on the forums that you can contact alumnae through chapter websites and Panhellenic, but I've been trying to figure that out and I'm kinda lost. I know I can get a few from some of my sisters friends, but I hear that it's good to have recommendations for as many sororities as possible.

[srmom]

You still have this semester to bring up your grades some!! Don't give up hope! Study really hard for your midterms and finals!!!

Good luck!

Ditto on being in one of the happiest places for an undergrad! My oldest son is graduating from UF on May 3, and while he's happy to be moving on, some of the best years of his life have been in Gainesville!! GO GATORS~!!

[KSUViolet06]

Your GPA for recruitment is going to be based on your COLLEGE grades (your HS GPA no longer matters once you're a soph).

Every chapter has different minimum GPA requirements and your GPA may very well put you at a disadvantage. Also consider the fact that recruitment is made up of mostly freshmen, who will have higher GPAs.

In terms of being a soph, it happens, but not typically. A sophomore who gets a bid has to stand out. They have to have stellar grades, campus activities, and friends in some of the chapters. There was to be something for them to be able to choose to take you over a new freshman.

[GatorGirl19]

Yeah, I know my chances are slim. But I'm a fighter and I have to do it. If I don't get picked then I'll wait for spring and if I don't get it then, at least I did it instead of never having done it.

Go Gators! I'm so happy I'm feeling the love here for UF. If you have kids and you live in Florida I totally recommend that they apply here. Even without being in Greek Life, UF is such a fun school to be in. There's something for everyone. The community service club I'm in is so much fun and in general, I've found it so easy to make friends even though I have a good group of friends from high school here. Of course, the fact that it's such a huge school makes certain things harder, like getting into a sorority or fraternity, and applying for certain organizations, but the size of the student population makes it such a diverse school and it's just great all around.

Ok I'll stop gloating about UF now ^_^

Woah, diversity just popped into my head! I'm hispanic but I'm born and raised here in the US. Do you think being Hispanic might make me less "Sorority material." I know that the answer is more likely no, but I guess I like to expect the worse so that there are no surprises when the time comes ^_^

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by GatorGirl19

Yeah, I know my chances are slim. But I'm a fighter and I have to do it. If I don't get picked then I'll wait for spring and if I don't get it then, at least I did it instead of never having done it.

Woah, diversity just popped into my head! I'm hispanic but I'm born and raised here in the US. Do you think being Hispanic might make me less "Sorority material."

*Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but I do not believe that UF has any spring recruitment.

[GatorGirl19]

Yes, the do. I almost went out for spring rush but I decided not to because I still wasn't too caught up with sorority stuff. It's just that not all the sororities have bids to give, but I think that goes for most colleges....

[kiteflyersmom]

I wanted to chime in here and say that you have been given very wise advice from people who can really base it on experience with sororities. However, you will NEVER know until you try. Remember that.

As for being Hispanic... South Florida is as diverse as it gets, and many So. Fl. kids of many backgrounds attend UF. This is not 1950. In fact, one of the presidents of a strong sorority chapter at UF grew up here in South Florida, attended very diverse schools, and had friends from all backgrounds. Good luck! Please let us know how it goes.

ETA- The president I know is not a Theta, although I am sure Theta is diverse, as well. Just wanted to bring up a situation I am familiar with to make a point and make you feel more confident.

[adpiucf]

Yes, study your butt off to get that GPA up. You may have just had a rough transition from high school to college-- that first semester away from home can be hard on people. That GPA is going to be the biggest problem area, but you have control over it as you head into finals. You might also want to do a few summer classes/online classes where you can bump up your GPA (not only for sorority recruitment, but for internships).

[baci]

I agree with adpiucf^^, do try and take two courses at UF this summer and get that GPA up!

You also need to think of how to project yourself to the ladies when you go through recruitment. You need to figure out how you can "sell yourself" (meant in the most positive way) and what makes you a fine choice over freshmen.

Do research on every single sorority and make sure you know key facts about them that you can talk about/ask questions about. I have always felt when you present yourself with knowledge of the sorority it really makes a strong statement.

I could ramble on and on about UF, but I won't - it is an amazing school! I loved it.

Follow all of the advice given and plan for this recruitment. Do not miss one step and you should be fine.

Best of Luck!