Getting Ready for Ole Miss Rush

OleMiss2007 · #1 09-20-2007, 01:49 AM

Hey everyone,

I know that this is abit early, since I am planning on rushing in the fall 08... but, I'll be transferring to Ole Miss next fall from a junior college and currently I don't know anybody up there. I do know that I want to join a fraternity.. however, don't know which one yet or what I need to do to prepare.

Does anybody have any recommendations on how to prepare for this? I've heard it's extremely tough and competitive... I just would like to be prepared and have all of those...recommendation letters and all. (I don't know anyone who's a greek alumnus, my family is actually pretty anti-greek... just, I've met some really good guys who are greek.) So, also, when I go up and visit on a weekend later, would it be kinda weird to try and get to know some of the people there or not?

TSteven · #2 09-20-2007, 04:14 PM

As I understand it, formal rush is held in the fall (deferred) at Ole Miss. However, many/most/all of Ole Miss' fraternities have summer rush events. I would suggest that you contact the Ole Miss Greek Life Office in the spring (2008) and sign up for rush. Your contact information should then be passed on to the various chapters before the summer rush events begin. In the meantime, check out the fraternities' websites (and their national websites) to get a better feel for what they are about and information about upcoming rush events as well.

Quote:

So, also, when I go up and visit on a weekend later, would it be kinda weird to try and get to know some of the people there or not?

It depends on the situation. I would not recommend just walking up to a house and/or members and trying to introduce yourself. Now you might happen to meet a member and you could causally bring it up that you are transferring next year and that you are interested in joining a fraternity. That would be ok. Also, if there is an open party or event you can attend, then do so. Again, you can check the chapters' website for possible events.

Best of luck.

OleMiss2007 · #3 09-20-2007, 05:38 PM

Alright...thanks for the advice.

So, what about these letters of recommendations and all? How important are they... and what do you do if you don't know anyone who's greek?

TSteven · #4 09-20-2007, 06:50 PM

I'm guessing you have been reading some of the sorority recruitment threads where it is often recommended to have a letter of recommendation. Bottom line is that fraterntiy (IFC/NIC) rush is different than sorority (NPC) recruitment and as such, letters of recommendations are not needed for fraternity rush.

Now having said that, if a member knows the rushee and/or his family well, he might send a letter (or a note, email, phone call) to the chapter and give a heads up about the rushee. The type of letter depends on how well the member knows the rushee. As such, it might be a straight on recommendation or more likely it would simply serve as a letter of introduction. Again, kind of a "heads up" or "take a look at this guy" as it were.

OleMiss2007 · #5 09-21-2007, 01:11 AM

Ahh, okay, gotcha... that makes alot more sense now. I just want to get some stuff together now, throw it in a file and then try and forget about it until end of next spring (or so).

Basically, as with most any potential, I'm worried about 2 things.
1. Not getting into a chapter that fits me.
2. Not getting into any chapter at all.

I know there's more than life to Greek life... just, it sounds like alot of fun, love the brothership that's shown, etc. ...and the fact that even though I'd only be there for 2 years (hopefully haha) it would give me a better chances of meeting alot of new people and all.

sassy9 · #6 09-21-2007, 10:17 AM

I think you should keep in mind that as a junior you'll be pledging mainly with Freshman and having mixers with soroities where the majority of the mixers are attended by freshman. Flag football. Christ, I couldn't handle being a junior and hanging around freshmen.

techzbt · #7 09-27-2007, 12:17 AM

When you're actually there, you'll be able to tell the differences.

I chose mine because I felt disenfranchised by the big houses on campus and decided to join a colony and it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

ealymc · #8 09-28-2007, 12:42 PM

You should definitely get either a yes/no/maybe feeling from the Houses. Ultimately, you'll find the place where you just feel right being there. That'll be the one.

DeltaBetaBaby · #9 09-28-2007, 07:30 PM

You know, some women don't really know amongst their last few, and essentially flip a coin on that final bid card.

Benzgirl · #10 09-28-2007, 07:50 PM

At Pref, I connected with all three houses. Keep in mind, I was only able to meet so many of the 100 members during the first three parties, and our parties were not that long (20 minutes for first round). This is the way I felt.

At my 3rd choice, I only felt like I really got to know one member, and sort-of got to know other girls. The chapter was nice and fun, but I felt it was a bit superficial. It would have been ok to be a member here; they were a very strong house, and I'm sure I would grow to love it.

Number two house, I connected with one girl in particular, and felt I would fit in just fine. They were genuine and I thought I could develop life-long friendships. I would have definitely been happy here.

But at number one, I connected with a lot of members. At pref, even though one member was taking me around, everyone seemed to know me and remember everything about me. They remembered my classes, that my cousin was president of a chapter at another college, and who our friends-in-common were. At that point, I even had inside jokes with a few of them. When everyone else was crying at Pref, we were bursting at the seams laughing.

I could have fit into any of them, and wouldn't have been disappointed as long as I got a bid. But my ranking was very easy.

nbraffer · #11 11-06-2007, 02:00 AM

Ole Miss rush is a lot more tough, harsh, and competitve on the sorority side. I've been through fraternity rush at Ole Miss and I have to say that I definately found a fraternity that I liked.
Ole miss is full of "clones" from the average frat guy and sorority girl, but there are fraternities that shy away from that moniker and are actually fun! Just be yourself, and DRINK BEER! (Dont get too fucked up though). Youll find the right one if you try.