Rushing at U of Illinois, should I get recs?

[chitown_baby!]

I am going to be a sophmore rushing at UofI. I wanted to see if I could get some advice from someone at UofI or anyone who knows whether recs are suggested there are not. I know from all the other threads that it is important at many other schools to get recs. I just had never heard of them so I wasnt sure if people rushing at UofI do. So if you know they are suggested, I'm most likely going to need help finding some ( since I do not think I know anyone that was in a sorority, but I'm def gonna start asking). I you wanna help me I would greatly appreciate it.

[tunatartare]

Welcome to GC. Does your school's Panhellenic have a website? If it does, check on there and it may say about recs. Or you may want to call the Greek Life advisor to find out. In terms of getting recs, your best bet would be to get in contact with the alumnae panhellenic in Chicago and let them know that you'll be going through recruitment and need help in obtaining recs. Good luck!

[Drolefille]

http://www.illiniphc.com/

http://www.illiniphcrecruitment.com/

But someone from on GC may be able to give specifics.

[AlphaFrog]

Even if they aren't suggested or necessary, they definitely can't hurt. Recs aren't so big in the mid-Illini area (UofI, ISU, EIU, WIU), but in this case, I would err on the side of caution and get them. If nothing else, it could give you an extra boost.

ETA: Paging DeltaBetaBaby and UofISigKap, if you're still around.

[Drolefille]

My mom (a UofI ADPi alumna) made a good point. There are a lot of girls rushing at the UofI and a lot of houses. Recs can make you stand out of a crowd.

I'd suggest getting a rec for as many chapters as you can.

[tunatartare]

Try seeing if any HS teachers or if any family friends are members of sororities. You can contact the alumnae chapters, however it's better to first ask people whom you know. A rec coming from someone who knows you is going to look better than one from someone who doesn't.

[kansas13]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

Even if they aren't suggested or necessary, they definitely can't hurt. Recs aren't so big in the mid-Illini area (UofI, ISU, EIU, WIU), but in this case, I would err on the side of caution and get them. If nothing else, it could give you an extra boost.

Totally agree with this!! While they aren't that important (went to EIU, and signed up for recruitment the day it started...didn't know what a rec was till I got into KD), it would make you stand out ALOT!!

I remember when we were going through recruitment at Eastern and we had a girl that did have a rec, we were told what her name was and what party she was coming to because it was few and far between that we did have someone that had one. Don't know if it's exactly the same way at Uof I, but it definitely wouldn't hurt!!

[irishpipes]

I went to U of I. I would suggest getting recs for as many chapters as you can, but it probably won't kill you to miss a few. There always were some houses that made their initial cut based almost solely on whether or not the PNM had a rec (or so the campus rumors said.) With as many PNMs as U of I has, some chapters have that luxury. There also were many strong chapters that did not have a rec requirement.

Also, just a note that traditionally, rushing as a sophomore at U of I is not a big issue like it is at some schools. I would still get as many recs as possible so that the chapters can get to know you before you get there. With so many PNMs it can be difficult to make an impression.

If you want to know which chapters were rumored to have a rec requirement, PM me. It won't be the gospel truth because I obviously did not participate in membership selection for those chapters, and I haven't been an active for years. My sources tell me that a lot has changed since I left U of I, but apparently the same houses have the rec issue.

Good luck to you. Take notes during recruitment, and take them as soon as you walk out the door. Having so many chapters is really confusing.