Tiers

[blondebutsmart]

Well, DeltaBetaBaby, maybe I'm not that mature because I like dating hot, SMART guys-lol!

Seriously, though, I don't think I could make a decision as big as joining a sisterhood based on what kind of guys I would be dating--unless all other factors were equal (which would be pretty difficult I would think).

[UGAalum94]

I think if you are at a campus with tiers, they will be obvious to you when you hear other people talking during rush.

It's not the talk that that determines tier status, but it's really kind of odd how there are clusters of groups that most PNMs like about the same amount, and that those same clusters seem to overlap with having socials with the same fraternities.

You can have a great Greek experience in any tier, so you don't have to give it a lot of conscious thought. The mutual selection process usually works it all out.

[squirrely girl]

collegians or pnm's with concern about tiers = too much time on your hands

parents with concern about tiers = low self esteem

[blondebutsmart]

Originally Posted by squirrely girl

collegians or pnm's with concern about tiers = too much time on your hands

parents with concern about tiers = low self esteem

Maybe I'm overanalyzing (part of my personality), but it didn't say:

collegians or pnm's with concerns = too much time on one's hands

or

collegians or pnm's with concerns = too much time on their hands



The comment used the word YOUR, so I took it personally because that's what it seemed like to me. Maybe I made a mistake. Sorry. I'm done.

[AKA_Monet]

Maybe I hope for the best in young people and I am quite removed from the college experience.

My question is if the GLO provided the BEST educational experience in addition to all the other wonderful accouterments of greek life, then no matter what tier the organization is, having the required numbers of membership would not matter?

Sure, it is cool to have a wonderful new set of friends, bond and build friendships for life, but bottom line a GLO is usually associated to a college and university, which means one attempt to get a degree in a respective field to move forward in their life... If strong educational support, with other activities occur, then should the "tier-ness" of an organization matter?

The question is like my Father's chant when he was in school:

"We party hard and stay up late, but most of all we graduate..."

[Fleur de Lis]

blondebutsmart,

My understanding is that tiers are determined by how many women want to join the chapter that year. Sometimes it is very clear and part of campus culture (like an Old Row designation) but can also be a certain mix of sisters that make people want to be a part of them. Sometimes it's just a bunch of shallow but beautiful girls that all wear designer clothes and get smashed with the hottest guys on campus, and for some reason this is attractive to PNMs. Tiers change at most schools and you are much better off considering sororities that you feel you connected to.

I think sisters in "lower-tier" sororities often enjoy their experience more because "upper-tier" sisters may look around and think "ok, I joined this super popular house but I don't feel like I belong". The "lower-tier" knows that everyone in the chapter really wants to be there, not just because they won the popularity contest.

One more thing: if you've been reading other threads, then you know sometimes GC posters say not-so-supportive things. Don't let random people with too much time on THEIR hands (let's all admit it) get you down. You asked a good question and for the most part have gotten great answers!

[UGAalum94]

Nice work, Fleur de Lis. I think you described it well.

OP, I don't think it was supposed to be taken really personally, but if you are likely to internalize the responses you get, posting on GC is almost guaranteed to make you unhappy.

I'm not saying it shouldn't be a nicer place or that you've done anything wrong (because you haven't), but the answers you get might not be 100% validating and supportive, and it's a risk of posting.

[jwsteele]

Originally Posted by Fleur de Lis

blondebutsmart,

Sometimes it's just a bunch of shallow but beautiful girls that all wear designer clothes and get smashed with the hottest guys on campus, and for some reason this is attractive to PNMs.

I think sisters in "lower-tier" sororities often enjoy their experience more because "upper-tier" sisters may look around and think "ok, I joined this super popular house but I don't feel like I belong". The "lower-tier" knows that everyone in the chapter really wants to be there, not just because they won the popularity contest.

No.

As a long time lurker, there aren't many cases where I'll step out of the shadows and say something is wrong. But this attitude is 100% wrong.

First, as for the "lower-tier" sorority members knowing that everybody wanted them there, by playing devil's advocate you could say they'd feel like, "the only reason these girls really wanted me is because I was cut from other houses and the chapter's favorite girls cut them." Sound like an absurd claim? That's how your statement came off.

Second, on my campus I am in the unique position in that the two houses I am closest with are on very different ends of the spectrum. One is THE "blonde, rich girl" chapter and the other one isn't the lowest in terms of tiers, but pretty damn close. The reason why I was attracted to both groups is because they are both full of members who absolutely love their sorority and you can feel the bond at every event we're at with either one. On the other hand, I know of a "top chapter" and the "bottom chapter" at our school that have very poor sisterhood. The "bottom chapter" always has a terrible rush because they come off as desparate with low-morale (while the other bottom chapter has done well recently because they love their house despite reputations). The poor-sisterhood "top chapter" has had some challenging rushes recently because the PNMs they want the most have gone to the other two top chapters who have extremely strong sisterhood (and it shows).

So tiers don't matter, I agree with you there. However to suggest that the "pretty sororities" generally have a less meaningful time and are shallow just because they are pretty (and I can argue with that as well...in the "prettiest chapter" I just discussed there are many many many women who I'd say are plain or unattractive, they just had personalities that are extremely larger-than-life) is invalid. This is the complete opposite of the "give all chapters a chance" that is preached like gospel on GreekChat (and rightly so) but for some reason when somebody calls the "top chapters" out for unfounded reasons nobody blinks an eye. Why is that? Because in my experience statements like the ones above are just as unfounded as negative statements about smaller chapters.

Just some food for thought.

[Fleur de Lis]

jwsteele,

In a weird way, I think we're trying to say the same thing - sisterhood is more important that what tier a sorority is in.

Sometimes PNMs have this idea that if they join the most prestigious sorority they can get into, their life will somehow improve over finding a group that works best for them, and I was attempting to show a small example of this. Of course, sometimes the most prestigious sorority IS the best fit.

The "beautiful but shallow" comment was meant to be tongue in cheek. I'm not insinuating that all 'beautiful' chapters are shallow or have less of a sisterhood. Often they are attractive to PNMs because of the strong bond.

But I appreciate you calling out my inconsistencies so that PNMs reading this don't misunderstand my words.

[texas*princess]

Originally Posted by blondebutsmart

Maybe I'm overanalyzing (part of my personality), but it didn't say:

collegians or pnm's with concerns = too much time on one's hands

or

collegians or pnm's with concerns = too much time on their hands



The comment used the word YOUR, so I took it personally because that's what it seemed like to me. Maybe I made a mistake. Sorry. I'm done.

I think you are overanalyzing it.

Sometimes people use the words "you" and "your" when they aren't neccessarily directing the post towards anyone... it's just a general "you" "your" reference.

[AOII Angel]

blondebutsmart,

Tiers only REALLY matter at southern schools. It's otherwise just used as a way to describe which groups are the most popular. That's no different than in high school when the group of popular girls were compared to a group of less popular girls. The girls in each group were usually not worried about which "tier" they were in because they were just hanging with their friends. The less popular girls may sometimes wish they were in a different "tier" when they thought about being Homecoming Queen or dating the cute quarterback, but usually they thought they probably wouldn't have much to say to the higher "tier" girls. It's the same thing in college. As for southern schools (like the SEC,) Mama's have raised their daughters with the idea that they can ONLY be an XYZ or an ABC. It is only acceptable to be one of these top tier members. This is why you hear about girls dropping out of rush rather than joining a lower tier group. It's stupid, but it serves those girls right for hanging onto these old social rules. They even write books about it!! If your Mama didn't drill into your head that you'd embarass the whole family if you joined DEF, than you'll be fine. Have a good time at recruitment.

[violetpretty]

Do tiers exits at most campuses? Of course. Do they matter? Nope. If being in a middle or low tier chapter was so horrible, those chapters would cease to exist. Obviously the members find their experience in their low and middle tier chapters valuable and rewarding or they wouldn't have pledged and stayed members for as long as they have. Sure, there are PNMs out there who drop out of recruitment when they don't get the invites that they want, but tons of women have just as good of an experience in a low or middle tier chapter as they do in a top tier. It all depends what you are looking for in a sorority.

ETA: Also, about mixing with fraternities/dating men in certain fraternities, I can think of lots of couples where it's not "top with top" or "low with low". I can think of couples where the girl is a low tier chapter dating a guy in a top tier chapter and vice versa. Maybe it matters more at other schools. Guys aren't going to not date you if you are in a low or middle tier chapter, unless those silly rules are true on some campuses.

[jwsteele]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

blondebutsmart,

Tiers only REALLY matter at southern schools.

I'm mostly in agreement but would also say to include a couple more schools that also have very competitive rushes (ie, Texas, USC, Miami Ohio, etc). From what I understand in those few outside-the-SEC competitive rushes tiers matter a bit as well. But I'd agree that on the vast majority of campuses tiers really do not matter.

[TNmomof5]

Dear Blonde,

Do not be afraid to ask questions. I am sorry you feel chastised. Sometimes people need some help with their delivery responses. I totally understand what you are talking about regarding tiers. My daughter goes to UT Knoxville and we also heard about the tiers. We heard there were three tiers and then many people kept giving us about the same repetitive speech about which sororities where on which tier.

I am in marketing and I see it as a trend. In other words...currently ABC, DEF, GHI, JKL, MNO were on the top tier and had repeatedly been on the top tier for many years. PQR kept going from top to middle. I see tiers as not just the richest, prettiest, GPA's but what seems to be be the most popular sorority that ALL the girls are trying to get into. As you know sororities compete on just about every level. Nothing wrong with that at all. Maybe they may be known for the highest gpa's, the most cheerleaders, the prettiest girls, the most homecoming queens, etc. I think they remain in their popularity tier by just being that...the most popular for whatever reason.

As many have said above me and what I told my daughter...go with who YOU feel the most comfortable with and who you could see being in your life for many years to come. This is a sisterhood you are talking about and you are investing your time, energy, and money and make sure you are with a group of girls that feels home to you. She did just that and loves, loves, loves it. I noticed that my daughter's sorority is having mixers with some of the most popular fraternities so I guess it is true when it comes to mixers, etc. What matters is not popularity but how comfortable you feel with each group. Good luck to you!

[TNmomof5]

Benzgirl,

Very well said. You did a much better job than I did.