Alabama Recruitment

[CougarGrad]

Whooooo I'm excited to see these chapters doing well! Congrats to Alpha Phi and all the groups!!

[bamamom90]

Regarding the GPA of PNMs, the girls were told they can only rush if they have a 2.5 or better GPA. I am wondering if there are ANY sororities who would pledge a PNM with a GPA that low...........my daughter had a 2.9 overall and a 3.3 senior year, and was involved in everything known to God and man throughout high school.....also, she went to a private prep school that was very challenging. I am still shocked and sad that she was cut by so many chapters after Philanthropy Days.
If the by laws for these sororities state that they can only pledge a 3.0, this should be conveyed to the PNMs prior to recruitment. A lot of heartbreak and tears could be avoided.

[bamamom90]

Oh, and I can't possibly be the only Mom in this position right now........I would love to hear any feedback from those of you who are so in the loop!!!!

[UGAalum94]

The problem is the that even if the bylaws don't require a 3.0, it will be very hard for a girl with below that to get a bid if her GPA seems low for the campus AND no one in the chapter knows her and is really pulling for her.

While there are certainly cutoffs that a particular chapter probably won't go below, being above that cut-off is no guarantee.

ETA: I don't regard myself as being in the loop.

[jennyj87]

Way to go Alabama! Anyone heard the Tri Delta numbers?
That pledge class size is insane. Last year we had 61 and I almost died, rumor is this year its going to be in the 70's, which is a blessing a curse, because as finacne chair I always love more money (HAHAHAHAHHA evil laugh), but our chpater is only 6 years old! There's not really rooms big enough to hold our chapter as is.

[Nhfulmer]

Each sorority sets their own requirement but I've always heard that the cuts after the first round are first for grades (below a 3.0) and not having a rec on file. After that it gets down to who you know and how much they like you. I agree that the PNM's should be told that many of the groups require a 3.0 (if that is indeed true). I always work with a large group going to Bama from our area and I warn them that this is an issue.

[jamalter]

Originally Posted by bamamom90

Regarding the GPA of PNMs, the girls were told they can only rush if they have a 2.5 or better GPA. I am wondering if there are ANY sororities who would pledge a PNM with a GPA that low...........my daughter had a 2.9 overall and a 3.3 senior year, and was involved in everything known to God and man throughout high school.....also, she went to a private prep school that was very challenging. I am still shocked and sad that she was cut by so many chapters after Philanthropy Days.
If the by laws for these sororities state that they can only pledge a 3.0, this should be conveyed to the PNMs prior to recruitment. A lot of heartbreak and tears could be avoided.

Did she get a bid Bamamom90?

[bamamom90]

My daughter had a rough 10th grade year, which pulled her GPA down significantly.....and I do understand that with 1500 young women going through recruitment, there has to be a method of reducing numbers....the sizes of these pledge classes is crazy!!!! At a WAY smaller college, we had 25 in mine, which was awesome, as I really felt like I got to know each one............but! This has just been such a big shock. When she went to the Tri Delt house on Open House day, she called me afterward and said, "This is it, Mom, I could tell they had done their homework, (read her recs) they knew all about me, and they knew I love St. Judes! I talked to 14 girls and they made me feel so comfortable. I loved them!" Then she was dropped. After being asked if her mom was coming to Bid Day, telling her how much fun they have, etc. I know it had to be a grade drop........but to an 18 year old freshman, this is just so devastating......she actually loved all the sororities and only felt that 2 or 3 might not be a good fit for her personally. I just can't believe that she isn't going to have this as part of her college experience.
I would also say that we are not from Alabama and my child did not know anyone going in....but geez, is this not part of the point? Getting to know new friends? I will stop whining.........I'm just still in shock and devastated for my baby.

[GPhiBLtColonel]

Originally Posted by Bear

I just spoke to our daughter. Gamma Phi had 105 girls pledge. She said the house was overloaded. Way to go Gamma Phi Beta!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You rock!!!!!!!

I'm tickled PINK and BROWN !!

Sure hope they had bought enough bid day gifts for all the new members!

[bamamom90]

Originally Posted by jamalter

Did she get a bid Bamamom90?

She ended up formally withdrawing after Skit Day......she said that every single house has great things to offer, but the choice she was left with was not one that she felt would be a good fit for her.

[sororo]

Originally Posted by bamamom90

Regarding the GPA of PNMs, the girls were told they can only rush if they have a 2.5 or better GPA. I am wondering if there are ANY sororities who would pledge a PNM with a GPA that low...........my daughter had a 2.9 overall and a 3.3 senior year, and was involved in everything known to God and man throughout high school.....also, she went to a private prep school that was very challenging. I am still shocked and sad that she was cut by so many chapters after Philanthropy Days.
If the by laws for these sororities state that they can only pledge a 3.0, this should be conveyed to the PNMs prior to recruitment. A lot of heartbreak and tears could be avoided.

I can't speak for the bylaws of individual sororities, but anything below a 3.0 may be difficult to overcome in a competitive SEC recruitment. So many girls go through with super high GPAs -- often anything below a 3 is considered a "grade risk."

The girls that I know of going through with GPAs lower than 3 at bama had fewer choices.

The 2.5 is a Panhellenic number -- but Panhellenic does not dictate how pnms are selected by individual sororities (including how heavily weighted grades are in the process).

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by bamamom90

She ended up formally withdrawing after Skit Day......she said that every single house has great things to offer, but the choice she was left with was not one that she felt would be a good fit for her.

I'm sorry it didn't work out; your description does make it sound like a grades were a factor in terms of the timing of the cuts.

I suppose she could re-rush after making excellent grades at Bama and becoming involved on campus. There is an upperclassman quota, so it might not be as hard as at other campuses. I'm not a Bama person though, so perhaps we should wait for one of them to weigh in.

[bamamom90]

Thanks so much ladies....she did struggle with her grades in high school, tho ending with a 3.3 senior year was a big accomplishment. I do say things seem to happen for a reason, though in this case I am struggling!!! She is very focused on making good grades...I suppose if it's meant to be, she might be able to pledge later, but are these pledge class numbers not just through the roof??? How on earth would any of them be able to take another breathing soul???
I must say I am so proud of Gamma Phi Beta for such a successful recruitment!!! Wow! 105!!! They must be doing something great!!!

[AnchorAlumna]

That's the thing about having houses...you've GOT to have the numbers to pay for the house.

[ladybug12]

Bamamomma90, Alabama is a campus where there is an upperclassman quota during formal recruitment. This year, each sorority could take 5 upperclasswomen in addition to the freshman quota of 72.

My advise would be for her to study hard, network with sorority members in her classes and dorm, and then evaluate whether or not she is interested in going through recruitment next summer. I do know that sophomores with good grades and activities are highly sought-after PNMs.