From my experience in a chapter that is pretty competitive in recruitment, I would say it's less that people who aren't gorgeous get discriminated against but more that the girls who are gorgeous get a leg up. Subtle difference, often with the same end result, but in most situations it's not that the sisters are saying "oh she's overweight so she's cut" but more "oh she's gorgeous, let's invite her back."
To play a numbers game, let's say for simplicity quota is 10. Those "looks-based" chapters often have 10 women that, from beauty alone, created quite a buzz. Let me also state that these women fulfill all the other qualifications (GPA, activities, personality, etc) but their additional beauty vaults them into the limelight. Let's say we get half of those women and our competitor gets half. That means that only 5 spaces are open for the women who didn't generate the buzz off their looks but who have all the same other qualifications. It can get really competitive from that point on.
So I agree, it may be tougher but if you present yourself with enthusiasm, confidence and are well put-together (outfit, hair, make-up, etc) and meet the GPA and activities qualifications you should definitely have a shot at enough chapters that you could find a home in.
I know I've been angry at how shallow my chapter can be, but once again it's more their excitement for those beautiful PNMs as opposed to the "big, mean, we are going to negatively talk about not as attractive PNMs behind their backs chapter" scenario that is thrown around casually in here. Once again, same end result so it doesn't really solve anything but I get a bit miffled when I'm told the ONLY reason those chapters pick their women is looks...when in reality they meet all the other qualifications...it's more the tipping point.
Anyways I'll end my hijack and say good luck to you!
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