Grade risks

[Ocalagirl]

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[cuteASAbug]

From what I understand, unless you are descended from a founder or come from a family that gives oodles of money to the sorority, minimum GPA is set in stone.

[UCFalumna]

I'm a recruitment advisor and, speaking from my own personal experience, most/all grade risks are immediately cut. With recruitment as competitive as it is, chapters have the ability to be selective. Keep in mind that the posted requirements are just a jumping off point. Many chapters choose to raise their GPA requirements for a particular recruitment in order to boost the overall chapter GPA and thin out their numbers more quickly.

All of this being said, there are always exceptions and girls who squeak by, but they are the exception-not the standard. There are so many gray areas of recruitment and grades are really the one big black and white.

[Ocalagirl]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"]I COLOR]

[shadokat]

Depends on if the groups on your campus really stick to the grade requirements. I know that with chapters I've worked with, you don't have the grades, no matter how close, you're more than likely to get cut. When you're working with release figures, and it comes time to cut your list, it's the first reason for someone to go.

[Football Fan]

Is there any chance of you taking some units during summer school and bringing that GPA up over the minimum?

[dgdramadawg]

To my understanding, a "grade risk" is a girl whose GPA hovers right at or above the minimum (and thus could fall at any time). I believe that minimums are pretty much set in stone.

[kdonline]

Originally Posted by Ocalagirl

A friend of mine and I were talking about our grades the other day and we got to talking because my GPA is right below (and I mean right below) some of the sororities chapter (not national) GPA requirement. One more semester and it wouldn't matter anymore. My first two semesters were pretty rough, but every semester since then I have had 3.0's or better. I was also going to ask the people who are writing recs for me to include it because it is the truth and they should know. Do you think sororities would take that into consideration if I had recs and if they liked me or should I expect to be cut from the ones I don't make. Is it common for chapters to take maybe one or two grade risks per pledge class or are most usually cut?(disclaimer...not asking any ritual info about chapter) At the school I will be rushing at, I am well above the minimum GPA but am .02 away from most chapters listed GPA requirement. Just thought I would ask someones opinion...

Your rec writers can include it, but probably won't make a difference. Sorry to be blunt, but if you're an upperclassman w/ a lower GPA, just know that there will be at least 50 other sophs/juniors with a higher GPA... Plus, the chapter already has their own risks with initiated members who have lower GPAs.

But if you have major activities - such as varsity cheerleading or dance squad or theater (in college, not high school) - that might have some bearing.

[KSUViolet06]

It's been my experience that sororities don't usually take grade risks. In fact, at some schools, the first cuts are made solely based on GPA.

I'm going to be really honest with you, hopefully you can appreciate it:

Grade risks are extremely rare. You said something about maybe there being one or 2 in a pledge class. I was an active for 3 years and in all three recruitments, I saw ONE grade risk get a bid.

In short, unless you have a compelling reason for not having the grades AND are STELLAR in all other areas (campus involvement, etc), you can expect to be cut.

For example: Becky was in a really bad car accident so she ended up having to miss alot of school for therapy appointments, so she has a 2.49, BUT she is Student Government president, Miss KSU 2006, and president of Habitat for Humanity. In addition, she has spent the last 3 summers volunteering at an Indian orphanage.

[susan314]

We occasionally took grade risks in my chapter, but...

It was generally for someone who already had friends in the chapter who were really pushing for her. It generally was via COB vs. formal recruitment. And, we were a smaller chapter on campus that generally had a few spots available.

I would say that on a very competitive campus, you might not have the same luck. Especially if you're not open to joining one of the smaller chapters and have your heart set on one of the groups that typically always takes quota+ and always is at or above chapter total.

[ChildoftheHorn]

Hey, that is the case at my school. Grade risks are cut immediately. The posted min. GPAs at my school are really a joke w/ most being between 2.5-2.9. They change every year. Honestly, the avg. GPA in our greek system is a 3.4-3.6 out of 4.0 (as seen by posted GPA). Most places will drop you like a stone if you have less than a 3.1 unless you are a legacy/rich/beautiful/VIP in campus. I went through it my freshman year with a just below avg. rush GPA as an engineer and was told that my major was too high risk by a few places. I did end up average in the end, but dropped myself out before the last night due to being freeked out by events at those two houses (bad conversations involving really bad behavior on their parts). I have since learned that the exception is not the rule, that girl was more of a renegade of that group. The other girl was just really weird, found out later that she had some recent mental issues.

Informals are really the way to go in your case.

If Informals are an option, I would consider it. Groups tend to be more lax at that time with that sort of thing.

[kddani]

You will very likely be cut first round from every sorority whose minimum GPA you do not meet. You may also be cut by those who technically you are ahead of their minimum GPA- you still must have pretty low grades.

You are a transfer and won't know people on campus, you are a junior, you don't have any other outstanding activities to set you apart, you've rushed previously at a different school and got cut heavily and did not maximize your options with those houses that did invite you back.

Harsh, but that's the reality that you're looking at. If I were you, I'd really try to figure out a few big selling points to overcome your grades - and honestly, a transfer that hasnt' had the chance to get involved in anything yet isn't going to have a lot on the surface to offer.

[adpiucf]

Oftentimes, too, the sororities have separate GPA requirements for new members outside of the all-chapter required GPA. IE: The all-chapter min is 2.7, but the cut-off at recruitment is a 3.0. The only time we took grade risks was if the member had a sister active in the chapter or perhaps had a major campus leadership position/athlete. And even then, it wasn't a given. Upperclassmen are at a disadvantage, and with lower grades, even more so.

Just go into recruitment with an open mind and know that early cuts are due to grades and class rank. You may want to take formal recruitment as a chance to get your name out and then pursue informal recruitment.

[ZTAngel]

You're rushing at UCF, right? Unless things have changed since I've graduated, PNMs who do not meet the minimum GPA requirement are usually cut the first day. Juniors are cut more heavily. There are extenuating circumstances but they are rare. Hate to say it but freshman with a low GPA are given much more leeway than a junior with a low GPA. Most chapters can only take a certain number of PNMs that are juniors or who are under the required GPA.

Like adpiucf said, go in with an open mind. There is a good chance that you will be cut heavily the first day so try not to "fall in love" with the chapters whose minimum GPA you do not meet.

[AlexMack]

Originally Posted by ChildoftheHorn

Hey, that is the case at my school. Grade risks are cut immediately. Certain majors are cut immediately (science/engineering).

This is the biggest load of crap I've ever heard. If they come through recruitment with a 3.5 gpa and an engineering major, you'll just drop them anyway?
My old roommate was a tri delt who rushed as a freshman first semester, double-majored in environmental science and engineering and kept a 3.5 (at least!) gpa at all times while being super-involved in her chapter. And the programs were really tough.
I understand the grade risk but automatically cutting girls because of their majors is total bull.