Should I re-rush?

[lilbabiebluez]

Hi girls, most of you all seem to be involved in greek life and would be able to give me some good advice on my situation. I attened University of Florida, where we only have one rush during the fall, and its a pretty big deal where over 1000 girls rush every year. I rushed in 2005, during my freshman year. I really had no clue about greek life or what rushing entails, all I knew was being in a sorority sounded like fun to me. So I just jumped into rush, and it is quite the experience to say the least. Well during this time, I was really stressed, I to move into my dorm during little breaks that I had, my dorm set on fire one morning, my roommate and I had issues, and the worst of all and what really got to me, was a good family friend of mine was just diagnosed with brain cancer and they pretty much gave her a death sentance during that time. I had a lot on my mind to say the least, and I'm sure I was pretty aloof during the rounds. Right before prefs, I got my two houses that asked me back and my heart wasn't in either one of them so I dropped, and just went back home for a few days to get my thoughts together and see my friend. I was upset granted that some of the houses I really loved didn't ask me back for prefs, and that was a definite blow to my ego as well, but I had bigger issues on my mind. But honestly I'm afraid to go through the whole process again just to get houses my heart wasn't at. The question is should I consider re-rushing for fall 2006? Would I have a shot? Is there anything I could do to up my chances at getting a house I like? Would they count it against me that I am re-rushing, or would the sisters even bring it up? Some input on my whole situation would be great, thanks so much.

[LouisaMay]

Someone from your campus would probably be better equipped to answer your questions. However, I just want to say that going through rush again is always an option but not a promise of a successful experience. You should just go into it while keeping in mind that there is *nothing* you can do to be positive that you are going to get into the organizations that you "like." Consider every group for what it and for what it isn't. Take the experience as just that...an experience. You may never get the the results that you think are ideal, but you might meet some wonderful people...maybe your sisters!

Good luck!

[AlphaFrog]

I'm going to be honest and say that from what I've read about UF on other threads, it wouldn't be *IMPOSSIBLE* for a Sophomore to get a bid, but it's definitely not easy. You have to keep your options open. You can't be dead set on one or two houses and expect to have a pleasant rush experience. I will also say that yes, there will be houses that you are cut from simply because you are not a freshmen. But, go in with a positive attitude, and don't look for the *BEST* house on campus, look for the *BEST* house for you.

[adpiucf]

You will have less options available to you at recruitment as a sophomore at UF. However, it is possible to get a bid to a sorority. It may not be your number one choice, however. Any PNM, regardless of her year in school, should go into recruitment with an open mind.

It is highly unlikely that the chapters that you liked and who didn't invite you to pref in 05 will invite you in 06. Not impossible, but highly unlikely.

Also, keep in mind that you may have your heart set on a sorority, but ask yourself, "What am I basing this impression from?" The answer will most likely be campus gossip and a ten-minute personal meeting with the members. Recruitment is very emotional and it is easy to become attached. But remember you don't really know these women or their organization as intimately as you may feel-- you really have had the briefest impression of them.

Should you re-rush? Can you answer the following questions with a resounding "YES!":
I have a good GPA
I have gotten involved on campus and have a record of high school campus involvement and/or community leadership and service
I don't make out with fraternity guys at every party/I am not the falling down drunk girl at Gator Growl

If so, give it a shot. You will also want to get in touch with sorority alumnae to obtain recommendations. Recs won't guarantee you a bid, but they will increase your visibility and chances of being invited back in the earlier rounds and cuts at recruitment.

If the idea of formal recruitment doesn't sound very appealing, then post fall-recruitment a few of the UF sororities will hold some informal events to recruit additional members. Contact the Office of Greek Life to request your name be put on a list of prospective members so that these sororities can contact you. If you have friends in any UF sororities, let them know you are going through recruitment (just don't stalk them).

Good luck with your decision. Go Gators!

[AUDeltaGam]

Not the exact same scenario, but at my alma mater (Auburn), I have 2 friends that rushed their freshman year. They were both given bids to sororities that they did not think would be a good fit for them. One turned down her bid and one accepted, but depledged soon after.

The next year, as sophomores, they re-rushed and got bids from their first choices. So it can happen

[Duchovnysfan]

I'll chime in my 2 cents:

I don't go to UF but I would assume like all sorority recruitments, it's a draining 4 days - 1 week. Before you consider that option, really ask yourself, is this something you still want? Do you really want to be in a sorority and most of all, why??? Also, do you really want to go through that huge emotional investment for that amount of time? It's really up to you and then if you a strong feeling then really consider re-rushing, but then look at the odds of a sophomore getting a bid at UF, there's probably someone at UF on here who can give a better answer.

Although, at my college, almost every junior and senior that went through recruitment and received bids. Then again, my school does not care about year as much as other colleges would. Also, then again, not many people at my school re-rush b/c they find something else to do or realize that "thrill is gone" to an extent.

Good luck in whatever you decision about re-rushing

[FSUZeta]

go for it!! you will not be able to join a sorority if you do not sign up for recruitment!!

if you can answer the questions with a "yes" that adpiucf posed, you would still have a fighting chance.

get recommendations to EVERY house!!

if you know girls in sororities on campus, let them know that you will be rushing in the fall.

if anyone asks ( i doubt they will) why you didn't pledge last year, just tell them that during recruitment a dear family friend was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, and you felt that you needed to go home for a visit. anyone should be able to understand that.

best wishes for a successful recruitment.

[blueangel]

Hey fellow gator...

When I was at UF, we had spring informal rush. Are you saying that they don't have that anymore? If they do, I would think that would be your best shot. However, not all of the houses you might want to join would be participating.

[kddani]

Originally posted by blueangel
Hey fellow gator...

When I was at UF, we had spring informal rush. Are you saying that they don't have that anymore? If they do, I would think that would be your best shot. However, not all of the houses you might want to join would be participating.

It's a little late for that, i'm guessing UF's semester is either over or very nearly over. Why wait until spring, when she has a limited number of sororities to consider, when she can go through this fall and theoretically have a shot at all of them?

[blueangel]

I agree with you about rerushing this fall. I'm just saying that Spring rush is a good option should things not work out due to being a sophmore. At UF, they seem to be less concerned during informal rush about which year you're in.

She probably should have tried it this year, but, as you said.. it's too late for that.

[33girl]

Originally posted by Duchovnysfan
I don't go to UF but I would assume like all sorority recruitments, it's a draining 4 days - 1 week. Before you consider that option, really ask yourself, is this something you still want? Do you really want to be in a sorority and most of all, why??? Also, do you really want to go through that huge emotional investment for that amount of time?

4 days out of a whole college career? Yes it's an emotional 4 days, but good grief, it's not like she has to go to rush parties every night for 6 weeks.

I would say the opposite - rerush because it's ONLY 4 days to a week and you'll know one way or the other once you're done rather than thinking "I should've!"

[adpiucf]

I agree. I would do recruitment again, but understand that you're coming in with the likelihood of heavy cuts due to class rank and having been through the process before without your desired outcome ... and to keep an open mind to accept a bid from 'A' sorority. Which could mean any of the sororities. And then to possibly consider post-recruitment activities (informal) if she doesn't receive a bid and has not signed a bid card.

[Duchovnysfan]

Originally posted by 33girl
4 days out of a whole college career? Yes it's an emotional 4 days, but good grief, it's not like she has to go to rush parties every night for 6 weeks.

I would say the opposite - rerush because it's ONLY 4 days to a week and you'll know one way or the other once you're done rather than thinking "I should've!"

I didn't mean that in the way you're taking it, sometimes some people just cannot handle the 4 days to a week. I know people who were turned away or dropped out and really did not want to go through recruitment again b/c to them it "too draining for them" although I actually disagree and went through it, it did not seem to be as emotionally draining as people perceived to be and 4 days went by quick!

The main point of my comment is if she wants to go through rushing again, she needs to consider EVERYTHING and to some the amount of days is factor and should not be overlooked. However, the most important point I wanted to get across is her intentions to be in a sorority.

[dgdramadawg]

Be aware that very few UF sororities offer bids to sophomores as a general rule (although if you are very involved on campus, others might make an exception). You should only consider rerushing if you enter into it with an open mind, because even houses where you might have friends may end up cutting you because they do not want to pledge a sophomore. If you are comfortable with possible massive cuts, then definitely rerush! What harm could it do?

[blueangel]

I was a Junior at UF when I got my bid.