Fraternity Recruitment at Georgia Southern University

[greekdee]

Hi Everyone -- I am brand new to this site and love it! What great information! I am a parent seeking info and trying to learn all I can. My husband and I are both Greek, but it's been more than a few years since we were in college.

Our oldest son is a high school senior who will start college Fall 2011. In a way, I feel like I'm jumping the gun by asking questions now; then again, things can change a lot in 25 years, so what was the norm in my day could be completely outdated now. Forewarned is forearmed, as they say, so maybe I'm not starting too early to gather information.

Right now, I am specifically interested in fraternity recruitment at Georgia Southern University. Though our son has applied at several schools, Georgia Southern is a top contender because their Computer Science school (his intended major) is really fantastic. He recently learned he has been accepted at the university, and says he is 95 percent sure that is where he'll go.

He is interested in going through fraternity recruitment next fall. Can someone give me some feedback on recruitment at GS? From the Greek Life info at the school's website, fall fraternity recruitment does appear to be pretty structured. I like that -- I do think it's more beneficial for incoming freshmen. It looks like GS does require them to visit every house.

*I see they have 15 IFC fraternities. How competitive is fraternity recruitment at GS? I heard that, for sorority recruitment, cuts were massive this year at GS.

*Do they have summer parties and are incoming freshmen encouraged to attend?

*Are rec letters important? I know they are for young women going through sorority recruitment, but don't know if that is the case with guys.

*Finally, do many athletes at Georgia Southern join fraternities? I only ask this because of the slight possibility my son might play football there. Coaches have requested film and have talked to his high school coaches. We don't anticipate a scholarship; at most, an invitation to walk on. He isn't sure he wants to play college football, but does know he wants to participate in fraternity recruitment. Where my husband and I went to college, there was animosity between football players and fraternities--I don't know why, but the football players were always starting trouble with the fraternities. A few athletes broke the code and pledged -- and loved it.

Of course, like any mother, I'm going to tell you that my son is an awesome young man and I think he would be able to find a Greek home. Yet, I hear how competitive recruitment is these days, with many kids getting released -- even though they seem to have everything in order. Also, my son is very quiet by nature. Once he knows someone and is comfortable, he'll talk a blue streak...but initially, he's shy. I think it sometimes comes across as stand-offish, but he is not that way at all.

Any insight and info would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you so much.