Auburn Recruitment - Page 9

pam713 · #1 08-13-2009, 09:19 PM

We really debated whether to list my daughter's legacy chapter or not on the registration form. The panhellenic advisor at Auburn, during a Camp War Eagle presentation, specifically said to list your legacy and that it wouldn't hurt your chances. My daughter listed hers, but we have no idea if that's hurt her or not. Fortunately, her legacy group has kept her so far.

UGAalum94 · #2 08-13-2009, 09:28 PM

In the first years of release figures, I can see chapters trying to use legacy status at other chapters as a way to read the tea-leaves of who a PNM was really interested in when they had to make big releases in early rounds.

After a couple of years seeing how many legacies don't pledge at their legacy chapters, I suspect that they would stop trying to consider it because it wouldn't actually help them predict anything.

But there'd still be no reason to list it.

Katmandu · #3 08-13-2009, 09:31 PM

But aren't there so many legacies going through recruitment at schools such as Auburn that it's kind of a wash? I mean, girls get cut for a variety of reasons, including simple math. Too many great potential members, not enough space.

It's very easy and understandable to blame cuts on legacy status, when it could be a variety of reasons, or none in particular.

I don't know whether it's best for PNMs to put it on their registration forms or not, but if I am writing a rec on a girl and know she is a legacy to another organization, I list it. I want my organization to have all available information, including the fact that the girl in question and her family have a familiarity with greek life and its obligations. If I know the girl personally and know that she is open to other organizations and not set on her legacy, I make a point of noting that as well.

UGAalum94 · #4 08-13-2009, 09:37 PM

I know what you mean, Katmandu. So far I've always listed the legacy statuses that I was aware of for the reasons that you mention.

But I wish I were 100% sure that it's working like we hope and that other chapters don't make assumptions.

SWTXBelle · #5 08-13-2009, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

I know what you mean, Katmandu. So far I've always listed the legacy statuses that I was aware of for the reasons that you mention.

But I wish I were 100% sure that it's working like we hope and that other chapters don't make assumptions.

I think that telling your own sisters that someone is a legacy to another chapter is different, since you wouldn't be writing a recommendation if you didn't think your sisters should seriously consider the pnm. If a recommendation form didn't ask for the information, I would not necessarily offer it.(I don't want to get into membership selection, and fear I might if I went into any more detail.) But, since your form asks for it, UGAalumna, I'd give it.

If I knew the pnm had a strong leaning towards her legacy chapter(s) I would certainly tell, but I would decide on a case by case basis.

UGAalum94 · #6 08-13-2009, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

I think that telling your own sisters that someone is a legacy to another chapter is different, since you wouldn't be writing a recommendation if you didn't think your sisters should seriously consider the pnm. If a recommendation form didn't ask for the information, I would not necessarily offer it.(I don't want to get into membership selection, and fear I might if I went into any more detail.) But, since your form asks for it, UGAalumna, I'd give it.

If I knew the pnm had a strong leaning towards her legacy chapter(s) I would certainly tell, but I would decide on a case by case basis.

I don't always know, but when I do, I've listed it.

I've come to believe that legacies mean very little unless the sister is currently in the house or has very recently graduated. If I know how little being a legacy seems to matter, I can't believe that the other chapters don't.

I'm not sure that the perception that revealing them is damaging isn't really caused by other unrelated factors: bigger releases with RFM, more legacies being out there as more women have gone to college in the last few generations, grade inflation in high school and "the organization kid"(http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200104/brooks) type become ubiquitous, making it harder for any girl to really seem outstanding. It's hard for girls, their parents, and the alumnae they know to predict what will happen, and it seems to me that more PNM feel entitled to only join the very "top chapters."

I think sometimes people who are unhappy with their immediate outcomes see systematic failure where none may really exist, and we might be projecting that on to legacy status.

Just interested · #7 08-13-2009, 11:04 PM

I know of 2 groups at UT (from moms who have received the call) who have already been informed that their legacies are not on their legacy list to recruit for membership in that chapter. (There maybe more groups) When you have 150 legacies and quota is 50 it doesn't take much to do the math. Legacies are just that, a special consideration.

Also, I don't think we are giving our chapters enough credit. They know who is going where for the most part and who are the legacies from other groups they have a chance to get. Trust me, our chapters have done their homework, they know who is a fit and who isn't.

tainey · #8 08-14-2009, 01:36 AM

Best wishes to all! What a horrible week to live through and you don't know how hard until you are the mother! It does all work out!

AuburnMom08 · #9 08-14-2009, 09:25 AM

What a long week this has been - good luck to all going into the last round.

My daughter's group put in about 16 hours yesterday and she left last night confused about how a couple of her favorites who were very interested in them and who had ranked high with everyone who met them got cut over some girls who acted very disinterested and had lower rankings. I'm glad this is winding down, I'm used to my daily phone calls and I've missed them this week because she has been so busy!

CougarGrad · #10 08-14-2009, 10:25 AM

9:24 am and I'm dying for an update. Hope everyone's daughters are doing okay. Hang in there, moms!!

awkward1 · #11 08-14-2009, 10:39 AM

Auburnmom08 - It is confusing isn't it? Perhaps those girls are legacies, there is no telling. Maybe some of the girls had to be let go because they didn't have the grades..who knows. It's just a hard process on everyone involved. I bet you are proud of your daughter for working so hard for so long! These young women really do learn a lot of life skills throughout the process: communication skills, commitment, work ethic, following rules, working as a team....I hope that prefs are going well for everyone involved today. I am anxious to hear how they went and I can't wait to hear the final outcome tomorrow at 10am!!!!!!!!!!

AuburnMom08 · #12 08-14-2009, 10:51 AM

I do agree that she has learned a lot these last 2 weeks in preparing for and experiencing recruitment as a member.

Have they decided where the bids will be handed out?

How does snap bidding work and does Auburn do that?

I haven't even had a chance to ask her any questions really, our conversations have been very short this week.

kiteflyerzl · #13 08-14-2009, 11:10 AM

It is my understanding that bids are to be handed out tomorrow morning at 10 AM at the Rugby fields.

Snap bidding is a process that is used to help chapters fill quota if they were unable to do so from their Preference attendees. Women who participated and maximized their options and were not matched are eligible to be snapped as are women who withdrew from the formal recruitment process before the end. If it is handled properly, the "snaps" are counted as part of a chapter's quota and the women show up with the rest of the PNMs on Bid Day so unless you are REEEAAAALLLLLYYY paying close attention you would never know the difference.

AuburnMom08 · #14 08-14-2009, 11:20 AM

Huh that's interesting. So everyone will get a list of potential snaps sometime today and then go over those tonight? Do they score them or just choose names they recognize or what? Of course ideally, everyone will make quota but this could be a way for a few more girls an opportunity.

Is every groups quota that same or does it vary by sorority?

kiteflyerzl · #15 08-14-2009, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AuburnMom08

Huh that's interesting. So everyone will get a list of potential snaps sometime today and then go over those tonight? Do they score them or just choose names they recognize or what? Of course ideally, everyone will make quota but this could be a way for a few more girls an opportunity.

Is every groups quota that same or does it vary by sorority?

Only those groups that do not match quota in bid matching will worry about making a list of women to "snap".

I could try to explain quota and how not everyone will get exactly the same number but it's probably best to read this post instead. It is very helpful!

ETA - the 5% rule that post mentions no longer applies. A chapter can receive more than 5% of quota as quota additions.