MISTAKES

[James]

Probably because people are irritable and in bad moods. I doubt jovial happy people are snarky very much at all.

By the way, thats a general comment. I only skimmed this thread. So I haven't really gotten a snarkiness rating from it.

Originally Posted by mystikchick

Kudos to you for having read other posts, but read a bit more and see if you can figure out why "serious questions" sometimes get answered with useless and petty remarks on this site. If you do this, you will truly be wise.

[aephi alum]

OK, cut the poor girl some slack, folks!

If you've got two years to go in high school, then worry about high school, not sororities. You can't actively pursue sorority membership right now anyway. Focus on your grades, extracurriculars, community service - make yourself an attractive candidate for both colleges and sororities.

[12dn94dst]

Ms. dreamingbeauty,

What my lovely GC cohorts are trying to say is you aren't going to get the answer to your question here, ESPECIALLY since your hopes are set on an NPHC organization. You have at least two and a half years to get yourself together. As I'm sure you know, the D4 sororities value scholarship and service, among other things. I suggest you start, and continue, there. Most importantly, get to know a member of the organization of your choice who lives in your community so you can direct your questions to her.

But of course, had you checked out the boards of the NPHC sororities, you'd know all that.

12dn94dst

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by James

Probably because people are irritable and in bad moods. I doubt jovial happy people are snarky very much at all.

Nope. Silliness deserves lighthearded responses. Anyway, to everyone giving useful responses, no one has answered her question. She's not asking about what to do to be noticed or what to do when pursuing an organization. She asked "what should you avoid doing when pledging?" I don't know that this question has ever truly been answered on GC.

[SWTXBelle]

I think the problem is the way the question is worded. It is far easier to discuss what you should do than what you should not.
For instance, I could say that a big mistake to make in pledging would be burning down the chapter house. Technically I'm right, but how helpful is that?
I think the op should check out the threads on what TO DO for recruitment and pledging - and then get ready to do the absolute best she can in school and in her community for the next two years.

[12dn94dst]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

I think the op should check out the threads on what TO DO for recruitment and pledging -

Valid point re: burning down the house, but considering the OP is considering an NPHC organization, the recruitment and pledging threads here aren't really going to be accurate to what she may experience if she is selected to pursue membership.

[12dn94dst]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

She asked "what should you avoid doing when pledging?" I don't know that this question has ever truly been answered on GC.

I can safely say "no", the question is not going to get an answer here, either. We do not, and have not in 6 or 7 years, discussed anything related to membership intake. I doubt that is going to change.

[macallan25]

Originally Posted by dreamingbeauty

what should you avoid doing when pledging?

....I would definitely avoid urinating in your house entryway, going to pledge meetings on pcp, slapping your housemom, stealing your president's car and running it off a bridge, running a coke ring out of your room.....

you know..........things like that.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by macallan25

....I would definitely avoid urinating in your house entryway, going to pledge meetings on pcp, slapping your housemom, stealing your president's car and running it off a bridge, running a coke ring out of your room.....

you know..........things like that.

Macallan25, I hope you didn't have to learn these things through personal experience.

[AKA_Monet]

Dreamingbeauty,

There are several women's Sorority umbrella organizations. The 2 largest ones are National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) and the National PanHellenic Council (NPHC)--that also collaborates with all the historically Black greek lettered fraternities.

I am telling you this because, as you stated, you would like to join a NPHC affiliate. 12dst gave you some very good insight, please examine them. However, your PRIMARY ISSUE is to finish high school, get accepted into college and GO TO COLLEGE because that is extremely important for all NPHC affiliates.

The second issue is NPC has membership recruitment that is a bidding process. They generally accept quite a few freshmen, whereas, NPHC has a historically collegiate merit-based membership that generally accepts sophomores and is lifelong after graduation. There is an area for membership recruitment on the board. You are free to peruse the topics.

Who do you know in your friend, family, church, etc. that influenced you to want to do this? How can searching this site help you? What do you actually know about college and greek life? Just asking.

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

NPHC has a historically collegiate merit-based membership that generally accepts sophomores and is lifelong after graduation.

Just wanted to point out that NPC SHOULD be lifelong as well.

[Animate]

Originally Posted by dreamingbeauty

i'd rather keep this to myself...some things are better left unsaid

+1 for not taking the bait! LOL.

[summer_gphib]

Remember that the greek community is very small. If you make unflattering comments about XYZ to ABC, you will make yourself look bad to both chapters.

Also try to represent the best of WHO YOU ARE. Don't make things up, or pretend to be something you aren't. If you aren't the most athletic, don't play along and act like you are. Show your strengths, but don't be afraid to laugh at yourself a little either. When intermurals came up in conversation, I remember telling one girl that I ran like a duck. (It's true!) but that I loved playing volleyball. This made us both laugh. (She was later my big sister!)

Remember that the girls in the chapters are a little nervous too. They want to make sure that they are making a good impression as much as you are wanting to make a good one.

If it's off color, don't say it. If you wouldn't repeat it in church... don't say it. I'm not saying that you have to act prudish, but rush isn't the time to tell "band camp" stories.

It IS a competition, and you ARE being judged. But guess what, you are judging them too. IMPRESSIONS matter. If you don't bathe or brush your hair... it MATTERS. You don't have to be physically perfect. (Who is?) but do the best you can with what you have. Show a graceful poise.

AND BY ALL MEANS USE MOUTHWASH. (Sorry, rushed a girl with FOUL breath once.... )

[AOII_LB93]

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

The second issue is NPC has membership recruitment that is a bidding process. They generally accept quite a few freshmen, whereas, NPHC has a historically collegiate merit-based membership that generally accepts sophomores and is lifelong after graduation.

NPC organizations also are lifelong after graduation.

[macallan25]

Originally Posted by AlphaGamUGAAlum

Macallan25, I hope you didn't have to learn these things through personal experience.

Haha..........no. Did steal the president's car and took it on a trip with some guys......didn't crash it off of a bridge though.