Univ. of Southern California Begins Recruitment

[TrojanWoman]

Originally Posted by 33girl

OK, that's what I thought - weren't they a local Jewish-interest sorority for a long time and they just recently (like the last year or 3) went SDT? (Not that I am trying to out your age or anything TrojanWoman, ha ha.) I looked in the SDT forum but I couldn't find anything about it.

SDT started as AGG in 2000 which was a local Jewish interest sorority because the founding mothers were disappointed that there was no historically Jewish sorority on campus anymore. AEPhi used to be on camups but was no longer there. In 2007 they affiliated with SDT. http://www.uscsigmadeltatau.org/local_history.php

That may give you a hint about my age 33girl!

[33girl]

That's it - thanks! I was thinking they had been a local for 20 years or something (sometimes everything on GC gets jumbled into one place and mixed up). I take it they were a recolonization of a long-dormant chapter since they're single letter.

[gotrojans!]

I'm a new Trojan looking forward to rush in the fall! I can't tell you how glad I am that I discovered GC, as I'm not a legacy so I don't know much about the process. I so appreciate all your help, and I'll keep you posted as rush gets closer!

My first question is about recs. My local Panhellenic is supplying me with recs for each house because I won a scholarship from them. However, I also have several aunts and close family friends that have generously offered several times to write my letters. Is two or more recs per chapter going overboard? While I really appreciate the support of my panhellenic, I would feel more comfortable with having people who actually know me write the rec.

Also, how early should I have people send in recs? I have already started preparing "packets" for my rec. writers (with a picture, an activity/awards summary etc.), so should I give those to them now?

Finally, I have a couple friends in various houses at SC. Am I not allowed to talk to them at all, even with general questions, before rush?

Any help would be great! FIGHT ON!

[KSUViolet06]

My advice is that if given a choice between a rec writen by an alumnae panhellenic member and someone you know personally, get the rec from someone you know.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by gotrojans!

Finally, I have a couple friends in various houses at SC. Am I not allowed to talk to them at all, even with general questions, before rush?

Any help would be great! FIGHT ON!

I am not sure what USC's silence rules are for summer. My suggestion is to email the Greek Life Office or visit the Greek Life website to find info about their guidelines for sorority member/potential member contact.

[SoCalGirl]

But don't refuse recs either. More than three recs is over kill. Three recs if two of the people don't know you is questionable. Two recs is not a problem.

[gee_ess]

I always encourage PNM's to accept any rec that is offered. Go ahead and give your packets to those aunts, friends, etc. because after you hand off the packet, you really don't know FOR SURE who actually sends in the rec/letter. So, if 5 people offer to write you an XYZ rec and only three actually get it in the mail, then you are still covered.

Besides, I think turning down a rec is kind of like turning down a gift. "Thanks very much for this present, but I have three just like it so I am giving yours back."

[SoCalGirl]

It's up to the members, not the PNMs to know the rules. Usually, normal social contact is allowed among girls with pre-existing relationships. They just can't steer the conversation towards recruitment and push for their chapters.

[gotrojans!]

Thanks for your advice!

I have just started filling out the application for recruitment (SO excited!) and I am required to "List activities in high school". How detailed should my list be? Would it be helpful to include a brief description of each activity and how long I've been involved, or do chapters prefer as terse as possible? We are given 4,000 characters, so I assume they want you to expand a little bit.

[Benzgirl]

If you are given 4000 characters, I would list the activities as you would a job on a resume. For example, if you were a Student Council Officer, explain what you did to raise $XXX for a senior class trip, if you were in a service group, indicate what office or committee you were on and what you accomplished (i.e. visited a nursing home each week to help your "adopt a grandma" write letters), or that you were on the varsity track team and ran the high-hurdles. The more interesting information they have, without dragging it into the weeds, the easier it is to get to know you.

But you are right, be terse and to the point.

[lauralaylin]

Also, sometimes activities can have a name that not everyone would know, so you might want to explain what they are if that is the case. Maybe not everyone knows what Acadeca or SKPades are for instance (those are two random ones from my HS).