Schools where you absolutely positively need recs

[AnchorAlumna]

Originally Posted by Kaitie

My local community does not have an organized alum group, so I am having a hard time acquiring recs for every sorority. Any advice? So far, I've gotten about half.

You've done very well, then!
Keep at it - keep asking folks if they know anyone in a sorority. Ask the ladies who've already written ones for you.
Do your best, but frankly, sometimes you just cannot find anybody.
Don't worry - just get yourself ready for college, polish your smile, make sure your clothing is clean and ready to go - and enjoy the experience! It will never happen again quite like this, so just enjoy getting to meet everybody!

[Nanners52674]

Can we figure out where Indiana actually belongs on the list so their's no more confusion?

[als463]

Originally Posted by Nanners52674

Can we figure out where Indiana actually belongs on the list so their's no more confusion?

I'm wondering the same thing. I think Indiana is a bear all on its own so, it's interesting to hear from an IU graduate as to what would or would not be needed. Just knowing how tough it can be, if I had a daughter going through recruitment there, I'd make sure she had tons of recs. I would do it to be safe but, as IndianaSigKap noted, I realize it wouldn't definitely get her a bid to any sorority.

[IndianaSigKap]

Indiana alumnae keep telling you that recs are NOT absolutely, positively needed and no one believes us. There is no confusion about needed recs.. Most people are confusing its level of competitiveness with the need for recs. They are not one and the same.

I would never tell someone to NOT get the recs. Recs will not hurt you at IU. If a PMN has them, great. If they don't have them, it's not a total loss either.

However, here is the caveat: those having recs, do not expect an automatic invitation to the next round. It is not a given at IU. Also, chapters are only allowed to do pre-recruitment activities with their legacies now. Previously, the recs were helpful in getting you a pre-recruitment lunch or dinner, now unless you are a legacy this is not going to happen.

[Phigirl04]

Originally Posted by IndianaSigKap

However, here is the caveat: those having recs, do not expect an automatic invitation to the next round. It is not a given at IU. Also, chapters are only allowed to do pre-recruitment activities with their legacies now. Previously, the recs were helpful in getting you a pre-recruitment lunch or dinner, now unless you are a legacy this is not going to happen.

Do you see these events sticking around as legacy only or do you think they'll eventually phase out and switching them to legacy only is the first step?

[DubaiSis]

But what are you trying to say?

[IndianaSigKap]

Yes, as long as there are unhoused chapters at IU, the events will remain legacy only. Most, if not all, pre-recruitment events were being invited to lunch or dinner at the chapter house. It didn't cost the individual chapters much at all since not all members make every meal. The unhoused chapters would have to pay for these events and it ended up costing them quite a bit. It was seen as unfair so the entire pre-recruitment thing was going to be prohibited. Then a few chapters did step up to say they should be able to invite legacies to something. To not invite the legacies, they felt would be dishonoring the alumnae members.

[als463]

Originally Posted by IndianaSigKap

Yes, as long as there are unhoused chapters at IU, the events will remain legacy only. Most, if not all, pre-recruitment events were being invited to lunch or dinner at the chapter house. It didn't cost the individual chapters much at all since not all members make every meal. The unhoused chapters would have to pay for these events and it ended up costing them quite a bit. It was seen as unfair so the entire pre-recruitment thing was going to be prohibited. Then a few chapters did step up to say they should be able to invite legacies to something. To not invite the legacies, they felt would be dishonoring the alumnae members.

From your perspective, would it be best to have recs for all of the houses to maximize chances of going Greek? I don't care about ranks/ tiers. I'm specifically asking about the opportunity to even be Greek at IU. Thoughts?

[IndianaSigKap]

There is no definitive evidence that shows it helps at all. Like we have said repeatedly, it cannot hurt your chances, but it will not guarantee you a second round invitation. There are too many other factors at IU that get in the way: bed rush, high school connections, legacy policies, RFM, etc.

[als463]

Originally Posted by IndianaSigKap

There is no definitive evidence that shows it helps at all. Like we have said repeatedly, it cannot hurt your chances, but it will not guarantee you a second round invitation. There are too many other factors at IU that get in the way: bed rush, high school connections, legacy policies, RFM, etc.

Perfect, thanks! We should update this in the thread about absolutely needing recs.

[carnation]

This is the thread about absolutely needing recs!

[als463]

Originally Posted by carnation

This is the thread about absolutely needing recs!

Wow! Haha! How did I totally miss that one? Sorry. Carry on.

[IUHoosiergirl88]

Originally Posted by IndianaSigKap

There is no definitive evidence that shows it helps at all. Like we have said repeatedly, it cannot hurt your chances, but it will not guarantee you a second round invitation. There are too many other factors at IU that get in the way: bed rush, high school connections, legacy policies, RFM, etc.

I 100% concur with IndianaSigKap...recs are NOT a must have at IU. More like a nice to have, feather in your cap type of thing. However, they do not guarantee you an invite back to skit round. They are just a 'nice' way of having the chapters know something about you going into recruitment...but you still need to bring your A+ game. And you can still socially torpedo yourself in the semester going into recruitment even if your rec letter says you're Sally Smith, Queen at crafting, Fundraiser of $1 million for XYZ's charity, and want to be RVP

[AnchorAlumna]

Bumping for 2014


Oops! Make that 2015.

[exlurker]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

Bumping for 2014

And just in time, too.