Best academic house on campus...is this good???

phikappapsiman · #1 04-02-2003, 03:09 AM

I am no longer an undergraduate at my school, but I still live in the area, and I am a chapter advisor. We have formal rush Spring Quarter, which differs from most colleges/ universities. I went back today because it is the first day of Rush, and I received a shock. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad thing, and I am very proud of my chapter...but we have the highest G.P.A. on campus! This is not a really good selling point. I mean, when I was there, we had fun, and we studied, but we had a mixture of guys who were serious about school, and guys who...well...were not. And they were a lot of fun. I just don't want us to be known as "nerd" fraternity. Am I wrong??? I mean, the kind of guys that the chapter is attracting this year does not bode well for the future in terms of mixers with sororities. Let's face it, the really popular sororities are not going to be too excited about partying with the computer science/electrical engineering majors. I trust them enough to make their own decisions about what brotherhood is about, and what type of man would be the best brother, but I am afraid some really cool guys might not rush because they don't want to be in a house where the average G.P.A. is over 3.4! What should I do???

Pi Kapp 142 · #2 04-02-2003, 03:36 AM

Dude, do not rip computer science people!!!!!!!!!!!!
No seriously, to put people with high GPAs in the "Nerd" catergory is not a good idea. People with high GPAs are peole that want to succeed in life. You would be surprised what kind of folks get good grades.

sugar and spice · #3 04-02-2003, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by phikappapsiman
Let's face it, the really popular sororities are not going to be too excited about partying with the computer science/electrical engineering majors.

If they're hot, fun and/or sweet computer science majors, I don't think the girls will mind.

I think you're buying into the stereotype too much here, though. In my experience, engineering majors tend to have pretty low GPAs, since it's such a difficult major. Likewise, I know some pretty hot engineers (I may be biased here, since my boyfriend is one, but still . . .) and some very attractive guys with high GPAs. High GPA does not necessarily mean "nerdy" . . . I know that some of the most popular sororities and fraternities on our campus have the highest GPAs.

If you're not an undergrad anymore, how does it really affect you anyway?

33girl · #4 04-02-2003, 11:30 AM

I know that my chapter went through the same issue. We were happy to have a high GPA cause it got us Greek Week points and points with our nationals, but at the same time we did have to fight the stigma of being "nerdy." I think it was self-perpetuating because the members kept recruiting the same kind of people - once some of them graduated and we got very different types in a pledge class it lessened. (So did our GPA, LOL, so be careful what you wish for.)

As SandS said, if the guys are hot and fun to hang out with, no one will mind. Now if they are recruiting guys that have no interest in anything other than Dungeons & Dragons, you have a problem because they won't be effective rushers. Impress upon them how important it is to have members with diverse personalities. Oh, and I wouldn't do things like putting "highest campus GPA" on rush posters - that will attract members only interested in grades, same as if you put "60% of our members are athletes" it would only attract athletes. Be glad that you have it, and play it up to your national, but don't brag about it on campus.

Sistermadly · #5 04-02-2003, 11:49 AM

And think of it this way... all those 'nerdy' computer science majors are the ones who are going to end up with the LONG green after graduation, and they'll be able to contribute more $$ as alums.

Besides - sexy nerds are irresistible. At least they are to this geek girl.

sirboomLXA · #6 04-02-2003, 01:10 PM

Shit dude, I wish I could get my chapter like that! I can barely get a 2.25 average!

Betarulz! · #7 04-02-2003, 03:12 PM

I have to totally disagree with a lot that has been said in this thread (not all...SandS is dead on)

My house is always in contention for top GPA on our campus. The past three year we have won the award for having the highest chapter GPA in all of Beta Theta Pi. We have no problem partying with the popular sororities.

Having a GPA of over 3.4 is not a bad thing, and I think that 33girl is absolutely and utterly wrong not to put your GPA on rush brochures. It will attract a lot of "nerdy" guys, but here is where the mutual selection process of rush becomes very important. If a guy is not well rounded, don't let your undergrads sign him.

I met plenty of guys when I was rushing who were nerds, simply put, but b/c they weren't well rounded, they didn't get invites back to future rush parties. They had a primary focus of grades and that wasn't the type of guys my house was looking for.

The result is that my house has it's priorities straight. From Sunday night to Wednesday night, you'll be hard pressed to find anyone not studying, but on Thursday through Saturday night we party like rock stars. Girls constantly tell us that we're the nicest guys on campus and that they would party with us more if we had more parties (we've gotten busted so many times that we're limited to only a couple of party houses, thus our official parties have dwindled...but that's not a result of having a great GPA).

If you feel this that "cool" guys won't want to be a part of a house that will help them suceed in life, then I have to wonder about their reasons for being in school in the first place.

If you are seriously worried about this, then I say as chapter advisor, use your position and talk to the rush chairmen and set out a plan on what type of guys you would prefer to sign. I think that simply moving towards a well-rounded signee is all that you have to do, guys who have the grades, but also are involved on campus, are willing to play intramurals, but who also seem able to know when to cut loose. You find those guys and you can have the best of everything.

33girl · #8 04-02-2003, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Betarulz!
IIt will attract a lot of "nerdy" guys, but here is where the mutual selection process of rush becomes very important. If a guy is not well rounded, don't let your undergrads sign him.

I met plenty of guys when I was rushing who were nerds, simply put, but b/c they weren't well rounded, they didn't get invites back to future rush parties.

From the original post it sounds like this is the problem - the guys they are presently attracting aren't well rounded and too academic minded and not social enough. My rationale behind not putting GPA on rush materials is not making that situation worse.

exlurker · #9 04-02-2003, 10:19 PM

Have to say I agree with Betarulz! and S and S. As a side note, your post did not mention the campus where your chapter is located, and student culture and expectations vary from place to place. For instance, if you're talking about The Farm, I doubt that a 3.4 GPA is going to be unduly intimidating; virtually everyone admitted is well aware that he or she will encounter almost breathtaking academic achievement, along with unparalleled challenges and opportunities. I'll bet almost no one tells the Admissions Office there (or at the five or six equally selective universities in the country) "my only goal is to party, dude." At other schools, campus norms may be significantly different.
That said, best wishes to you and your chapter for a successful recruitment.

Kevin · #10 04-03-2003, 01:41 AM

High GPA does not equal Nerd!! If someone thinks that do you really want them!?

Their thinking: If I get a low GPA I will be cool!

That's good!?

A high GPA means your chapter helps people deal with their time. You can claim to have a great time and a tight brotherhood while making grades. You're in college for one reason: to graduate. All else is on the side. If your fraternity doesn't help you with that then what kind of a brotherhood do you have?

BSUPhiSig'92 · #11 04-03-2003, 02:21 AM

When I was at school, the chapter that always had the highest gpa (by quite a bit), partied like rock stars! They basically had two extremes: party mode, and study mode. Their chapter president graduated with a 3.9 in Physics, and I never saw that boy without a beer in his hand! He now has a PhD in Nuclear Physics, and (last I heard) is on the faculty of Duke (I think).

Honestly, as long as your members are well rounded, and don't live up to the "nerd' image, I think having the highest gpa would be a strong selling point. If the guys are currently struggling with an image problem, work with them on social skills, the importance of good conversation skills, dressing well, etc.

KSigkid · #12 04-20-2003, 09:14 AM

Guys like the fact that you have a high GPA.

If nothing else, it gives them something to tell their parents, if their parents are unsure about allowing them to rush.

Also, kids want to stay in school; even if grades aren't super important to them, they want to have high enough GPA's to stay in school/keep their scholarships.

Trust me, it's not a bad thing. Our chapter has had the highest GPA for the past four years, and it's worked to our advantage during rush.

Collin

phikappapsiman · #13 04-22-2003, 02:26 AM

Rush ended last Saturday...

And I purposely stayed away after the first party. Actually, I was really busy with work and other things, so I didn't have the time to stop by the house to see how things were going, and I still have no idea how they did. I do realize that what I might want for the chapter may not be what the chapter wants, and that's all right. I am proud of their academic accomplishments, but I just had this fear of my chapter becoming like the Lambda Lambda Lambda's of "Revenge of the Nerds". My pledge class, and the classes before mine, worked very hard to get a good mix of all-around types of guys, and we were always competitive in IM's and stuff. My fear is that those things will not matter as much going forward. But hey, I am an alum, and that's cool as well. The good thing about this is that it did teach me about moving on, and putting those things behind me (kind of like that Saturn commercial where it says Now Leaving College). Not that I won't go back for homecoming or alumni weekend sometime, but a lot of what people said here made sense. I never meant to imply that grades were not important to the brothers before, because we always did well, but image IS important in social groups. I don't know much about other schools and their Greek life, but I am pretty sure that Stanford would never be confused with a University of Texas where Greek life is paramount to college enjoyment. Bottom line is that if I didn't care, I wouldn't give a damn, but I do care.

DAMN THESE WITHDRAWAL PAINS!!!

KEPike · #14 05-07-2003, 02:00 PM

My guess is that at Stanford, most people are on academic scholarship anyways. Therefore, the all-campus and all-Greek GPAs are probably higher than at other schools.

I would say that as long as other areas (intramurals, social, etc.) isn't lacking, then having the top GPA is a point of pride.

Rudey · #15 05-07-2003, 02:14 PM

Isn't Stanford notorious for grade inflation? I remember reading that your average GPA was a 3.7 one year. Anyway, relax. I'd rather look for guys that are commited to the chapter - not asses who come in thinking they're doing my chapter a favor for showing up at the party. Beta is right. Try to find a balance I guess if you can choose but don't hide the fact that your guys are smart.

-Rudey

Quote:

Originally posted by phikappapsiman
I am no longer an undergraduate at my school, but I still live in the area, and I am a chapter advisor. We have formal rush Spring Quarter, which differs from most colleges/ universities. I went back today because it is the first day of Rush, and I received a shock. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad thing, and I am very proud of my chapter...but we have the highest G.P.A. on campus! This is not a really good selling point. I mean, when I was there, we had fun, and we studied, but we had a mixture of guys who were serious about school, and guys who...well...were not. And they were a lot of fun. I just don't want us to be known as "nerd" fraternity. Am I wrong??? I mean, the kind of guys that the chapter is attracting this year does not bode well for the future in terms of mixers with sororities. Let's face it, the really popular sororities are not going to be too excited about partying with the computer science/electrical engineering majors. I trust them enough to make their own decisions about what brotherhood is about, and what type of man would be the best brother, but I am afraid some really cool guys might not rush because they don't want to be in a house where the average G.P.A. is over 3.4! What should I do???