University of Alabama Recruitment

bamagirl24 · #1 02-13-2013, 02:04 PM

I will be transferring to UA in the fall.Iwaswondering: since I will be transferring, does this make my chances of getting into a sorority slimmer? I have above a 3.3 GPA so I think I'm good in that area. But since I will be an upperclassmen will I have less of a chance of getting a bid or even invited to the rest of rush week?

irishpipes · #2 02-13-2013, 02:30 PM

If by UA you mean the University of Alabama, it is traditionally a very competitive recruitment. Your chances won't be any easier as a sophomore, but they aren't shot to hell either. I would strongly recommend obtaining 2 personal recommendations to each chapter, and keeping an open mind to all chapters on campus as they are all huge and engage in the same types of activities. Your only chance of getting a bid is to go through recruitment. Good luck to you.

greekdee · #3 02-13-2013, 02:46 PM

Here is what Bama's Panhellenic website says:

Alabama utilizes a secondary quota that separates upperclassman from incoming freshman. A dual quota system is used specifically to place upperclassmen potential members. Its purpose is to give upperclassmen and transfer students a greater opportunity to pledge during Formal Recruitment.

More info is at: http://www.uapanhellenic.com/index.p...id=20&Itemid=8

Alabama does have a very competitive recruitment, and even with the upperclassman quota, your options might be more limited. As already advised, approach it with a very open mind in that you are willing to give all sororities a look and an opportunity. Recommendations are an absolute must, not an option. Keep the GPA up and read the threads here on GC about how to put your best foot forward. SEC recruitment can be tougher for a sophomore, but the ones I know personally who have rushed in the last couple of years had successful recruitments! Best of luck to you!

Also, here is a link to GC info about upperclassmen quota so you can understand it better. http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...d.php?t=121221

AnchorAlumna · #4 02-13-2013, 03:45 PM

3.3 is......adequate. 3.0 is considered the floor and some chapters, I hear, prefer to start with 3.5.
Sophomore is not that big of a deal, especially if you're transferring. As said, recs are required. REQUIRED. Keep all your options open - don't automatically discount any sorority. Tent talk is vicious at UA, and includes some of the most fantastic fairy tales I've ever heard anywhere.

Your opinions will change from day to day, too. In the end, go with your heart. And if formal recruitment doesn't work out, COB sometimes works better for upperclassmen than formal.

Best of luck, and Roll Tide!

Hartofsec · #5 02-14-2013, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

3.3 is......adequate. 3.0 is considered the floor and some chapters, I hear, prefer to start with 3.5.

Higher GPAs are an advantage in rush, I agree, but I feel as if a college GPA of 3.3 might be considered a little differently than a high school GPA of 3.3 -- I know I would consider it more predictive of college-level work if writing a rec for a transfer.

Only about 8 chapters at Bama had new member GPAs above a 3.3 this fall -- and of those, some just barely above a 3.3:

http://greekaffairs.ua.edu/documents...radeReport.pdf

Titchou · #6 02-14-2013, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hartofsec

Higher GPAs are an advantage in rush, I agree, but I feel as if a college GPA of 3.3 might be considered a little differently than a high school GPA of 3.3 -- I know I would consider it more predictive of college-level work if writing a rec for a transfer.

Only about 8 chapters at Bama had new member GPAs above a 3.3 this fall -- and of those, some just barely above a 3.3:

http://greekaffairs.ua.edu/documents...radeReport.pdf

All the more reason they may be looking for women with higher grades.

MaryPoppins · #7 02-14-2013, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

Tent talk is vicious at UA, and includes some of the most fantastic fairy tales I've ever heard anywhere.

This ^^^ cannot be overly emphasized, at Alabama, or other notorious tent talk schools!

AnchorAlumna · #8 02-14-2013, 02:41 PM

bamagirl, I know I've sounded harsh about your chances, but we have a lot of Prospective New Members come here and declare they will totally pledge their choice because they have wonderful 3.0 grades and are cute and were homecoming queen. Well, 60% of the other PNMs have 3.5s or better and were also homecoming queens. I'm exaggerating, but so many girls don't understand that they are one of MANY well qualified PNMs.

You need to know it will not be super easy for you...but it is possible.

Go into UA recruitment determined to only accept 1 of 5 or 6 sororities = you're toast.
Go into UA recruitment prepared with recommendations, good grades and activities, dressed appropriately, determined to meet new friends in many houses, enjoy the parties, be pleasant to your hostesses and participate in conversations, unconcerned about sorority reputations (and you shouldn't be - all UA chapters have outstanding women and leaders) = high chances of a successful recruitment.
I wish you the very best!
RTR!

bamagirl24 · #9 02-13-2013, 05:06 PM

My options are all open. But I will be coming in as a junior (I'm a sophomore at my community college right now). I've had a 3.5 every semester I've been there. This past semester was the first time I had below a 3.5. So my transcript looks nice.
But I'm worried that none of the sororities will want a junior

adpiucf · #10 02-13-2013, 05:10 PM

No sugar coating here. Most of them probably won't want a junior with a lower GPA, so expect heavy cuts based on year in school and grades if you have under a 3.5. The school will recalculate your GPA, so it may be under/over what your community college calculates. UA's GPA is what the sororities will consider.

SEC sorority recruitments are very competitive and you've got your best shot as a freshman, with very limited returns as an upperclassman. Even with a dual quota system, you're still a junior at the upper end of your time in school. But if you want to join a sorority, going through recruitment is the only way to join. If it doesn't work out in formal, there may be a few sororities with open spots during the year who will hold their own informal recruitment. Formal recruitment is your best shot to start off because it provides the opportunity to meet all of the chapters.

You know what you're up against, so give it a shot. I'll be very happy for you if you get a bid. But I'll be very surprised if you get a bid from formal recruitment. Not because you aren't a super or wonderful person, but you're coming in as an upperclassmen with a decent but not stellar GPA. You may have a chance at a bid during the spring if you're still on everyone's radar and were well-liked. It will also help to get involved on campus in the fall and get to know Greeks in your classes and campus organizations.

ADPi95 · #11 02-13-2013, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bamagirl24

My options are all open. But I will be coming in as a junior (I'm a sophomore at my community college right now). I've had a 3.5 every semester I've been there. This past semester was the first time I had below a 3.5. So my transcript looks nice.
But I'm worried that none of the sororities will want a junior

Have you already spoken to an advisor (or registrar, etc.) at Alabama? Do you know for sure you will classified as a Junior when you transfer? I only ask as sometimes not all classes taken at community college transfer to four year universities. Something to look into if you haven't already.

greekdee · #12 02-13-2013, 05:20 PM

Does anyone know if there are any sororities colonizing at Alabama this year? That is often an excellent way for nonfreshmen to find a home.

33girl · #13 02-13-2013, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greekdee

Does anyone know if there are any sororities colonizing at Alabama this year? That is often an excellent way for nonfreshmen to find a home.

No there are not.

And the last time one did colonize, colonization was probably 3x harder than normal rush.

Hartofsec · #14 02-14-2013, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 33girl

No there are not.

And the last time one did colonize, colonization was probably 3x harder than normal rush.

I don't know where rumors like ^this originate -- but this is just not true.

Greekdee is correct -- I know the last two colonizations at Bama have been great opportunities for upperclassmen.

33girl · #15 02-14-2013, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hartofsec

I don't know where rumors like ^this originate -- but this is just not true.

Greekdee is correct -- I know the last two colonizations at Bama have been great opportunities for upperclassmen.

That number originated from my ass, since you asked.

And yes, they were great opportunities. Those upperclassmen selected were probably also head and shoulders above the average Bama female student and vetted back and forth and upside down. Greekdee's post didn't really convey that.

If I used a little hyperbole, it's because people often don't get the point unless you do.