How do you know?

As I read other posts I see "XYZ is super competitive" or something of that nature. What classifies a school as non-competitive or competitive? I have no clue where my school falls.

[Titchou]

If you tell us your school, we can tell you if it is competive.

However, any school where no one needs recs, chapters aren't particularly picky about GPA, minimal activities are OK, and mostly everyone who goes thru each year gets a bid - those would be considered non-competitive. All SEC schools - except for maybe Vandy - are highly competitive. So arebig name schools like USC, UCLA, Ohio State, almost all Texas schools, FSU, Clemson, etc......

[AOIIalum]

Originally Posted by Titchou

So arebig name schools like USC, UCLA, Ohio State, almost all Texas schools, FSU, Clemson, etc......

I would disagree with Ohio State. Somewhat competitive, sure, but I wouldn't say as competitive as many/most of the other Big 10 schools.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by AnnaT

As I read other posts I see "XYZ is super competitive" or something of that nature. What classifies a school as non-competitive or competitive? I have no clue where my school falls.

There is no such thing as a "non-competitive" school. That would imply that everyone who rushes gets into the sorority they want. That does not happen anywhere.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

What surprises me is the schools where every chapter makes quota, and total is such that there is no COB at all. It does seem like these schools would miss out on some great women. No matter how much RFM is helping, there will be women who fall through the cracks and don't get invitations to pref. It seems a shame that there are no options for them to join the same semester.

[violetpretty]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

What surprises me is the schools where every chapter makes quota, and total is such that there is no COB at all. It does seem like these schools would miss out on some great women. No matter how much RFM is helping, there will be women who fall through the cracks and don't get invitations to pref. It seems a shame that there are no options for them to join the same semester.

Remember, most of the women who end up bidless are the ones who withdraw. I think it's good for the demand to be a *little* bit higher than the supply. That way, there isn't an dramatically struggling chapter and it is perceived as an honor to join any chapter, but if demand is much higher than supply, it's a script for rampant anti-Greek sentiment. If there's a consistent upward trend in membership, CPHs usually look to extension or raising total.

Originally Posted by 33girl

There is no such thing as a "non-competitive" school. That would imply that everyone who rushes gets into the sorority they want. That does not happen anywhere.

I think you know what I meant by non-competitive. AKA- Not a school with 1200+ PNMs, 12+ sororities, etc.

[katydidKD]

Originally Posted by AOIIalum

I would disagree with Ohio State. Somewhat competitive, sure, but I wouldn't say as competitive as many/most of the other Big 10 schools.

OSU is definitely not competitive, at least in relation to schools of similar size, etc.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by AnnaT

I think you know what I meant by non-competitive. AKA- Not a school with 1200+ PNMs, 12+ sororities, etc.

I don't think it is necessarily a size thing. Illinois is the biggest FR in the country, but I would not call it "competitive". Many women going through have no recs, sophomores (and even juniors) regularly get bids, and PNM's can sign up as late as the day rush begins.

Now, I think this largely stems from the lack of anybody caring what chapter you are in post-college 'round these parts, but the "top" chapters were not set in stone, and almost nobody I knew had much preparation for FR.

[33girl]

^^Exactly. There are schools with less than 5 sororities (who usually have all been there since the dawn of time) and less than 1200 rushees that are far from being "noncompetitive."