Tips for a sophomore?

number11 · #1 03-17-2008, 04:41 PM

Hi everyone! I'm currently a freshman at a Northeastern University. It's small but fierce. I went through Formal Rush this Spring, and unfortunately was cut from all of my houses on Skit Round.

For a while I was really upset by this, but I know not to take it personally and since then, I've decided to rush again next year!

I'm just afraid of this scenario repeating itself. I'm a very outgoing person who is involved on campus. I have a good GPA and am working on making it even stronger. I've tried to meet as many sorority women as possible and I get along well with all of them.

And unlike many older rushees, I don't have my heart set on a particular house-- although having gone through rush at this school already, I have my favorite few.

So any particular tips for me? Formal Rush is in the spring for us (we come back from break a week early, solely for Rush). There are open houses and whatnot in the Fall, and I intend to take any opportunity I can (I doubt we'll have many COB opportunities, but if there are any I'm there!)

I was wondering about getting recommendations. I have never heard of anyone getting them here. Greek life is tremendous on campus. I was wondering if it would be odd for me to have recommendations, especially if 1) no one else does that and 2) I rushed last year & didn't have them. Will I come across as desperate? This is the last thing I want! I just really want to be part of a sisterhood

Any advice is welcomed! As are success stories from people with similar situations... I can't be the only one!

XOXO

33girl · #2 03-17-2008, 05:12 PM

I don't think recs would come across as desperate, if they are from people you know. It would probably be more of a "wow, that's neat" sort of thing.

The best thing is to keep doing what you are doing - get to know women in the sororities and improve your GPA & campus involvement.

KSUViolet06 · #3 03-17-2008, 05:29 PM

I'm from a school where recs weren't common, but they were never thought of as "desperate." It was actually kind of nice to get them since we don't get much info from the girls outside of what's on their applications.

violetpretty · #4 03-17-2008, 05:36 PM

If you can get a rec from someone you know, it would look good, and it would be novel at a school like Lehigh. What might look desperate at Lehigh is having 10 recs for each chapter from random Alumnae Panhellenic women who only know you on paper.

texas*princess · #5 03-20-2008, 06:21 PM

Keep your grades up.

Recs don't hurt you

Get involved on campus

number11 · #6 03-20-2008, 11:08 PM

Okay a new update for this post:

I met a very nice girl who rushed as a sophomore and joined a house in the Spring (we have Deferred Recruitment). I told her I had a lot of questions so she offered to get lunch sometime, which I am DEFINITELY going to take her up on. (Also, she is in a sorority I liked, so that's a bonus!)

Now I have some questions of my own about the process, but I was wondering if you think there is something I should ask in particular? I know the process is different at every school, but I'm kind of clueless. I have no idea how it works beyond freshman year. I just know how Recruitment works.

Thanks for any help, or just taking the time to read this

ree-Xi · #7 03-21-2008, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by number11

Okay a new update for this post:

I met a very nice girl who rushed as a sophomore and joined a house in the Spring (we have Deferred Recruitment). I told her I had a lot of questions so she offered to get lunch sometime, which I am DEFINITELY going to take her up on. (Also, she is in a sorority I liked, so that's a bonus!)

Now I have some questions of my own about the process, but I was wondering if you think there is something I should ask in particular? I know the process is different at every school, but I'm kind of clueless. I have no idea how it works beyond freshman year. I just know how Recruitment works.

Thanks for any help, or just taking the time to read this

I would be very careful not to make her feel like you are only going to lunch with her bc you want to have an "in" with her sorority. If you go to lunch, start out with general chitchat, and then tell her you have a few questions about recruitment, and if it's ok to ask - a few.

Just remember that she cannot tell her your odds of getting in, if your GPA will guarantee you a bid, or if she can rally her sisters for you. Keep the questions general, such as - what does your group look for in new members ? She can't tell you with certainty anything much about the other orgs, because it would largely be heresay.

I would suggest writing down a few questions. Instead of asking us what we think you should ask, why not come up with some questions that you really want answered. What do you really want to know? Make a list. That's your starting point. Remember that most general recruitment questions can be answered by your Greek office, and you defer to them for the majority of information. That's their job.

Good luck, and remember to keep the "interrogation" part short and sweet. Thank her right there for her help, and then move on to general chitchat before you depart. Make sure that you don't maker her your sounding board for the remainder of time before next recruitment.

Have fun with your new friend!

number11 · #8 03-21-2008, 09:13 AM

Do you think I could ask her to explain how going through Recruitment a second time was different? Or is that too prying?

Benzgirl · #9 03-21-2008, 07:07 PM

Keep in mind, if she just pledged, she has no idea how recruitment goes. I'm not sure if she can answer any questions for you, but you can get to know her better. I can't say this will help, but it won't hurt

number11 · #10 03-23-2008, 08:03 PM

oh oops, i should clarify. she rushed once as a freshman and last spring as a sophomore. her freshman year she was offered a bid to a house she could not see herself in, so she declined.