Junior Rush at Texas A&M?

[rocketship2mars]

I've searched & read through some other junior rush threads, but I'm still not certain on how successful a junior rush at A&M could be. I attended A&M my freshman year, but wasn't allowed to rush. I ended up transferring to another school my sophomore year, & was allowed to participate in Spring recruitment, but right before it ended the sorority I'd been closest with found out they weren't allowed to take new members, & there weren't other options left at that point. But after some consideration I'd decided to readmit to A&M for my junior year. My A&M GPA is acceptable (it's good academic standing, although below my standards haha) & my GPAs from my other school, & from community college classes, are basically a 4.0. And I was pretty successful & involved in high school. But I don't want to put too much information about myself out here though.

I suppose I'm just curious as to if it's very seriously likely I could not receive any bids, even with a colonizing chapter coming in the fall? Rushing is something I've wanted to do for a very long time & is one factor in whether I end up deciding to follow through with another transfer. I know it will be considerably more difficult as a junior, but if there's any advice out there, it's very much appreciated!

Thanks, sorry for the length!

[Cheerio]

Originally Posted by rocketship2mars

I've searched & read through some other junior rush threads, but I'm still not certain on how successful a junior rush at A&M could be.

I attended A&M my freshman year, but wasn't allowed to rush.

I ended up transferring to another school my sophomore year, & was allowed to participate in Spring recruitment, but right before it ended the sorority I'd been closest with found out they weren't allowed to take new members, & there weren't other options left at that point.

But after some consideration I'd decided to readmit to A&M for my junior year. My A&M GPA is acceptable (it's good academic standing, although below my standards haha) & my GPAs from my other school, & from community college classes, are basically a 4.0.

And I was pretty successful & involved in high school. But I don't want to put too much information about myself out here though.

I suppose I'm just curious as to if it's very seriously likely I could not receive any bids, even with a colonizing chapter coming in the fall?

Rushing is something I've wanted to do for a very long time & is one factor in whether I end up deciding to follow through with another transfer.

I know it will be considerably more difficult as a junior, but if there's any advice out there, it's very much appreciated!

Thanks, sorry for the length!

I'm confused...are you admitted to A&M for the 2016-17 school term?

Or are you deciding between attending A&M or attending a fourth college?

(Out of curiosity, was your freshman year actually at A&M or at Blinn?)

[rocketship2mars]

Originally Posted by Cheerio

I'm confused...are you admitted to A&M for the 2016-17 school term?

Or are you deciding between attending A&M or at a fourth college?

(Out of curiosity, was your freshman year actually at A&M or at Blinn?)

Yes, I was readmitted for the 2016-17 term. The summer one actually, so I have a summer class but that's whatever. I'd considered staying at the school I spent the last year at due to simplicity's sake & financial aid & such, but I'd really rather not.

And nope, wasn't at Blinn my freshman year, was fully admitted to A&M!

[FSUZeta]

Do you have recommendations?

[rocketship2mars]

Originally Posted by FSUZeta

Do you have recommendations?

I have a legacy rec for two, & personally know a couple of ladies for a few others. My county also has a list of alumnae contact for each sorority so I can hopefully get recs from them too if they're willing.

[AZTheta]

Get going on recs.

Let me explain something about why it is so challenging for a junior (class standing). Not only is there the financial aspect (fewer dues-paying years) to consider. There is the matter of differences in maturity levels between an 18 year old and a 20-21 year old. Consider that the juniors in the chapter have solid, established friendships (both in their sororities and in their classes, as well as with other sorority women). Tough to break into that if you don't already have connections.

Ask yourself: what are you bringing to the mix that makes the chapter want to offer you a bid?

On the few occasions that I have seen juniors get bids, they had many friends in a chapter. Their GPAs were very high. And they had very legitimate reasons for not having rushed prior to the onset of junior year.

There is the option of a colony, and don't think that it is easier by any stretch of the imagination to receive a colony bid. Again, from what I have read and observed, it's very competitive in terms of selecting colony members who will ensure success. However, it is most certainly a viable option for upperclassmen.

My advice: get it together, go through formal recruitment, and do not rule out the colony if you are given the opportunity to participate in colony recruitment.

[Aggiemom18]

There were several successful Junior recruitments last fall at A & M. There is an upper class quota as well. Get your recs - they are a must! Write down your story - why you went to A&M then left and now back again. Get this in a concise but natural conversation piece- you will be asked at each house. Be prepared.

Good Luck!!

[TXDG]

I am very familiar with A&M's recruitment. These are my thoughts on rushing as a junior:

1. Upperclassmen quota. TAMU's upperclassmen quota encourages chapters to take women who are not freshman; however the vast majority of these spots go to sophomores each year. The most successful juniors tend to have a ton of in-house friends (who are typically chapter leaders by their junior year, therefore having more influence in membership selection) and juniors who are incredibly involved on campus but never rushed before (ie, what chapter wouldn't want to bid a Fish Camp Counselor/ Co-Chair or SGA committee leader?)

2. Grades. If your TAMU GPA is below the all-sorority GPA (just under 3.3), you are going to have a tough time as a junior, especially if there is a larger variance between your TAMU GPA and your other college. Sororities are going to need to be confident you can handle your sorority commitment while maintaining good grades at TAMU.

3. Recs. Recs are a necessity for ALL chapters, including AOPi which will colonize in the fall. With over 1000 PNMs going through recruitment, no recs and grade risks are the top two critera for which PNMs are released from chapters. You are REALLY late to be getting recs. The August 1 due date on the Panhellenic website is really the "drop dead" date. Ideally, your recs would all be in by July 1 or earlier. Start hunting them down today and be super polite when requesting as the alumnae will have less time than if you has asked back in the spring when most PNM's did.

4. Legacy. Be sure you actually are one. I believe TAMU has a list of legacy relationships for each chapter on the Panhellenic website. Aunts and cousins never count, and some sororities don't consider grandmas or step-moms/grandmas to be legacy relationships. Find out from your legacy what the benefits are for that house. For some, it just means a guaranteed invitation to Round 2. For others, it means going on to the 1st bid list if you make it to Pref.

5. Open Mind. If going through recruitment is something you'll always regret not trying, then do it. All PNM's should approach recruitment with an open mind, but upperclassmen have no choice but to have an open mind. Expect big cuts, and every day treat the house who invited you back as if they are the only ones on campus.

If formal recruitment doesn't work out, consider going through the colonization process for AOPi in the fall. Colonies have very high standards - they will be looking for upperclassmen who are leaders on campus, upperclassmen who want to dedicate the time & commitment to being the chapter's first set of officers and directors, who have high grades, and who can help make inroads establishing a positive image of the the chapter on campus.

Good luck! Come back and let us know how it goes.

[33girl]

Great post, but what on earth is a fish camp counselor? I'm amusing myself greatly imagining the possibilities, none of which I'm sure are right.

[LaneSig]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Great post, but what on earth is a fish camp counselor? I'm amusing myself greatly imagining the possibilities, none of which I'm sure are right.

http://fishcamp.tamu.edu/node/13

Fish Camp is orientation on steroids.

"Fish Camp welcomes the Freshman class to Texas A&M each year with the purpose of giving them an opportunity to have fun, make friends, and learn more about life at Texas A&M. We hope that through Fish Camp, you will begin finding your place in the Aggie Family before classes even begin!

Fish Camp is a 4-day orientation program that takes place at Lakeview Methodist Conference Center in Palestine, Texas. Students ride buses from the Texas A&M campus to Lakeview, where they stay in air-conditioned, furnished cabins.

Fish Camp is led by Texas A&M students who are passionate about making the first year of college a success for the freshmen! Every counselor has valuable personal experience, so they can offer advice about classes, fun things to do in College Station, and anything else you need as you begin your journey as an Aggie!"

[jenidallas]

Being selected as a Fish Camp counselor is considered an honor and the Dorectors for Fish Camp are one of the highest student leadership positions on campus.

[sigmadiva]

Originally Posted by LaneSig

http://fishcamp.tamu.edu/node/13

Fish Camp is freshman orientation on steroids*.

"Fish Camp welcomes the Freshman class to Texas A&M each year with the purpose of giving them an opportunity to have fun, make friends, and learn more about life at Texas A&M. We hope that through Fish Camp, you will begin finding your place in the Aggie Family before classes even begin!

Fish Camp is a 4-day orientation program that takes place at Lakeview Methodist Conference Center in Palestine, Texas. Students ride buses from the Texas A&M campus to Lakeview, where they stay in air-conditioned, furnished cabins.

Fish Camp is led by Texas A&M students who are passionate about making the first year of college a success for the freshmen! Every counselor has valuable personal experience, so they can offer advice about classes, fun things to do in College Station, and anything else you need as you begin your journey as an Aggie!"

YYYYEEEESSSSSS!!!!!!!

My Fish Camp Yell:

Fish Camp '87
Aggie Spirit live and revvin'
Feelin' good, we're having fun
Fight'n Class of '91


WHOOP!!!!!

* There is also a T-Camp for students who transfer in.

[TXDG]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Great post, but what on earth is a fish camp counselor? I'm amusing myself greatly imagining the possibilities, none of which I'm sure are right.

The other ladies did a great job of explaining what Fish (fish = freshmen) Camp is and I love that sigmadiva still remembers her 1987 yell!

Fish Camp counselors are selected from involved and spirited student leaders, with the upperclassmen Co-Chairs and Directors being among the most prestigious leadership roles at TAMU. They are selected to be the "face" of A&M and teach the next generation all of the Aggie traditions and help them make friends before classes begin.

If you look at the sorority websites, they all mention how many Fish Camp counselors/co-chairs/directors their house boasts. Many counseors come back with a list of "rush crushes" each year, and PNM's are always excited to see their Fish Camp counselors during recruitment!

[Sciencewoman]

Do the Fish Camp counselors have to disaffiliate, or can they share which sorority they're in? Same question for fraternity members.

[adiisis]

The do not disaffiliate but they are not supposed to actively recruit from what I know However, my daughter knew what sorority her leaders were in and whether right or wrong formed opinions of groups based on those girls. For PNMs at fish camp - well.... consider it an extra chance to make connections.